Male and Female Fertility Diagnostic Tests
Semen Analysis
A semen analysis is an integral part of the infertility evaluation because up to 40% of all infertility problems involve the male partner to some extent. A detailed analysis of the semen involves an accurate measurement of the semen volume, motility, quality of forward progression, sperm concentration, total number of sperm per ejaculate, pH, viscosity, percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm, presence of any agglutination and the number of white blood cells and immature sperm cells. When an abnormal semen analysis is discovered suggestive of male factor infertility, more involved testing may be warranted. These tests may include a hormonal evaluation, sperm function testing such as a sperm penetration assay, immunological testing or an evaluation by a urologist specializing in male infertility treatment.
A semen analysis may be performed without a doctor’s order for anyone who is interested in determining whether or not male fertility issues exist.
Please note: THE TEST IS DONE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY AT OUR LAB IN NEWPORT BEACH, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. OR MISSION VIEJO, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
To schedule your test, please call the lab in Newport Beach at 949-642-5954 or in Mission Viejo at 949-542-7171.
A detailed instruction sheet will be given to you prior to the test by your physician or nurse. A collection room is available for your use in both facilities if so desired. You may call the doctor’s office for your test results in approximately 4-5 working days.
Sperm Penetration Assay (SPA)
Sperm penetration assay is used to determine the fertilizing potential of the sperm by using hamster eggs. The hamster eggs are taken from a female hamster and stripped of their zona pellucida, or outer shell-like covering. These eggs are then exposed to human sperm in the laboratory. Human sperm are able to penetrate these specially treated eggs, but the eggs cannot develop into embryos. A normal test usually results in greater than 20 percent of the eggs penetrated or six penetrations per egg. A lower number of penetrations may suggest that the sperm are unable to penetrate a woman’s egg.
Please note: THE TEST IS DONE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY AT OUR LAB IN MISSION VIEJO on Mondays between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and in NEWPORT BEACH on Wednesdays between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
To schedule your test in Newport Beach, please call 949-642-5954 and in Mission Viejo, please call 949-542-7171.
A detailed instruction sheet will be given to you prior to the test by your physician or nurse. A collection room is available for your use in both facilities if so desired. You may call the doctor’s office for your test results in approximately 7 working days.
Post - Coital test
The ability of sperm to progress through the cervix and into the uterus is the focus of this test. If abnormal, intrauterine insemination may be performed.
Determination of Ovulatory Status
This may be observed by monitoring with ultrasound. An appropriately timed measurement of progesterone in the blood provides additional information, which may be used to structure fertility treatment.
Hormone Testing
Measurements of thyroid function (TSH,T4), Prolactin, Androgens (Testosterone, DHEA-S), FSH and Estrogen may be helpful in certain situations to further elucidate the cause of ovulatory problems.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is an x-ray, which outlines the interior of the uterus and demonstrates whether or not the fallopian tubes are open.
The HSG test uses x-rays and special dye to examine the uterine cavity and the fallopian tubes. The exam can detect scar tissue, polyps, fibroids, and other abnormalities that may prevent the fertilized egg from implanting properly in the uterus. Blockages in a fallopian tube may prevent sperm from reaching the egg, thus reducing chances for pregnancy. The procedure usually takes between 10 and 30 minutes and is performed by inserting a speculum into the vagina, then placing a thin plastic tube inside the cervix that leads to the uterus and fallopian tubes. A special dye is injected through the plastic tube, which will fill the uterus and fallopian tubes and spill out of the end of each fallopian tube if there are no blockages. An x-ray will then be taken in order to evaluate the results of the HSG.
The HSG is to be performed between day 9 and day 12 of your cycle at one of the following locations, and requires a written order from your physician.
- Hoag Hospital (Newport Beach)
- Hoag Health Center (Irvine)
- Newport Imaging (Newport Beach)
The procedure may cause cramping; therefore, it is recommended that you take medication such as Advil, Motrin or Aleve one hour before the x-ray. It is also recommended that you have someone available to drive you home if needed.
Diagnostic Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy
These are minimally invasive, outpatient surgical infertility testing procedures which provide an opportunity to diagnose and treat abnormalities of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries which may be affecting fertility. These procedures usually involve three incisions of a half inch or less, and require a total of about 5 hours spent at an outpatient surgical facility. Recovery is complete after one to two days and treatment usually resumes with the onset of the next menstrual cycle. Endometriosis, pelvic adhesions (scar tissue) and uterine problems such as fibroids, polyps and congenital abnormalities are the most commonly encountered findings.
Diagnostic "Office" Hysteroscopy
A hysteroscopy is a procedure performed by the physician to examine the inside of the uterus. This is helpful in diagnosing conditions such as fibroids, scarring, polyps or uterine malformations. The procedure consists of inserting a narrow, lighted viewing instrument through the cervix to enable the physician to view the uterine cavity on a video screen.
This procedure is performed in our Newport Beach office and is scheduled between day 5 and day 11 of your cycle. Your physician or a nurse will instruct you to call the office on day 1 of your cycle to schedule the hysteroscopy.
Laparoscopy
A laparoscopy is a surgical procedure which allows the physician to view the outside of the uterus, the ovaries and fallopian tubes. This is performed under general anesthesia in an outpatient surgery center or hospital. A laparoscopy can be used as a diagnostic tool or as an operative procedure to remove adhesions, ovarian cysts or endometriosis. The patient is asked to call the office to speak with a nurse in order to schedule the laparoscopy. The procedure is usually performed in the first half of the menstrual cycle, before ovulation occurs. A patient information guide is available in our office.
