Diagnosis

Diagnosis and Consultation for Fertility Treatment at San Diego Fertility Center

INFERTILITY DIAGNOSIS

Reaching a diagnosis for a couple undergoing infertility is paramount to subsequent success.

The evaluation of a couple may be detailed in four parts:

(1) Evaluation of ovulation and the hormonal assessment of egg quality
This may be conducted by a blood test that may be covered by your insurance plan and allow us to maximize a woman's ovulation and the quality of eggs involved with fertility treatments.

(2) Sperm quality and the detailed assessment of all sperm parameters
This would include the sperm concentration, motility, forward progression, morphology (shape), absence or presence of antisperm antibodies.

(3) The patency (openness) of the fallopian tubes
The patency will be evaluated via a non-surgical diagnostic study known as the hysterosalpingogram (HSG). This is the only non-surgical technique, which allows insight into tubal patency. If questions of tubal patency are associated with other medical conditions a laparoscopy or hysteroscopy may be performed to gain more information and are provided in our certified Del Mar Surgery Center.

(4) Evaluation of the uterine health
This evaluation is made to allow for successful implantation of an embryo and continued growth and delivery of a healthy baby. Pelvic ultrasounds are a routine part of the quality care rendered at the San Diego Fertility Center and combined with other ancillary diagnostic procedures provide insight on optimal embryo implantation and our reduction of miscarriage risks.

Patients are invited to participate in every aspect of the diagnostic consultation and review of the diagnostic results/interpretations. Treatment plans are reviewed in an individualistic manner with insight and review of options and alternative treatments. Patients are involved through this dialog in the decision making process which enable couples to choose the treatment pathway, which is most cost effective for the achievement of successful pregnancy outcomes.

After the diagnosis, couples receive a review of their fertility treatment options during their consultation. Your best treatment is conducted within our gentle caring environment at San Diego Fertility Center.

Your Consultation

Your care at the San Diego Fertility Center will be provided in a personal and respectful environment with a format of insight and education. Your infertility specialist and reproductive endocrinologist will meet with you to review any previous medical records and past medical history. The consultation generally lasts over one hour and includes the opportunity to have a physical examination with pelvic ultrasound if so indicated. The insights will involve both male and female infertility components, which may contribute to the overall assessment of the ideal treatment plan for your fertility care and success.

Fertility care at the San Diego Fertility Center is conducted in a cohesive state of the art facility, where all of your needs are met. This cohesive environment provides the highest quality of care and success rates combined with reduced stress and will allow you to take advantage of professional support. Our desire at the San Diego Fertility Center is to achieve your successful treatment in the most efficient manner possible using our team of resources that have contributed to our center of excellence in fertility care.

Last updated: February 7, 2006
Authors: Dr. William Hummel and Dr. Michael Kettel