I. Sex hormone measurement and vaginal ultrasound
A comprehensive fertility assessment is performed to develop a treatment plan.
Blood is drawn for early follicular phase sex hormones on the 2nd to 5th day of menstruation: to understand the status of the gonadal axis and to assess ovarian function.
What information can a blood test for reproductive endocrine disorders hormones suggest?
The measurement of hormones at different times of the menstrual cycle represents different meanings: measurement at the beginning of menstruation can indicate ovarian function; if peak values of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone) and E2 (estrogen) appear in the middle of menstruation before ovulation, it indicates imminent ovulation; measurement of hormone values one week before menstruation can determine the presence or absence of ovulation and luteal function.
What is the purpose of measuring progesterone?
A blood test for serum progesterone concentration is a simple, effective and commonly used ovulation test. The test is usually performed on day 21 of the menstrual cycle or about 7 days before the next period. Generally, a progesterone level above 3ng/ml is the basis for the occurrence of ovulation, but it does not determine when ovulation has occurred.
Ultrasound examination provides a comprehensive understanding of the pelvis; especially the underlying conditions of the uterus and bilateral ovaries, such as the morphology and thickness of the endometrium; the location, size and echogenicity of the ovaries, and the number of sinus follicles. The cyclic changes of the endometrium and bilateral ovaries. Especially for patients treated with ovulation-promoting drugs, continuous monitoring of ovulation is very important to ensure the safety and effectiveness of treatment.
The effect of down regulation can be assessed by ultrasound and blood test for sex hormones after down regulation; blood test for sex hormone level and ultrasound for the number and size of growing follicles after ovulation promotion medication to analyze the maturation of follicles and adjust the medication.
Second, test transplantation
The purpose is to understand the exact position of the uterus, the tightness of the cervix, the obstruction of the uterine opening and the depth of the uterine cavity, so as to have a good idea when the embryos are officially transferred.
Descending regulation
The purpose is to suppress the LH (luteinizing hormone) peak and suppress ovulation so that the eggs can develop better and more synchronized so that egg retrieval can proceed smoothly.
IV. Ovulation promotion
Women with natural cycles only ovulate one egg per month, but for IVF, multiple eggs are needed to increase the chance of conception. The hCG is chorionic gonadotropin, which can make the follicles mature finally.
V. Ultrasound Physical Therapy
Most of the women undergoing IVF treatment suffer from chronic adnexitis or pelvic inflammatory disease. Both are deep inflammation of tissues and it is difficult for antibiotics and herbs to have direct effect on the inflammation site. As a kind of high frequency wave with strong penetration, ultrashort wave therapy instrument generates electromagnetic field, the heat production of electromagnetic field is more evenly distributed, which can promote the elimination of inflammation products and bacterial toxins and accelerate tissue repair, its warm and benign stimulation can promote local blood circulation in pelvic cavity, improve the nutritional status of tissues, enhance metabolism and promote the absorption of inflammatory exudate and leaking fluid.
Sixth, semen examination
To assess male fertility and provide a correct basis for diagnosis. Abstain from sex for 2-7 days before the examination and masturbate to obtain semen. Two specimens should be analyzed for the initial examination, and the interval between two collections should be greater than 7 days but not more than 3 weeks. If the difference between the two results is significant, another specimen should be taken for analysis, as the results of semen analysis in men can fluctuate considerably.
VII. Testicular biopsy
The testicles are the “factory” where men produce sperm and sex hormones. The sperm produced by the testes are first stored in the epididymis and then ejected through the ejaculatory duct and urethra. A lesion in any one of these areas (the blockage caused by such a lesion is usually irreversible) can cause oligospermia, hypospermia or even “azoospermia”. Testicular biopsy is an important test in masculology, through the biopsy can directly assess the spermatogenic ability of the testes of patients with azoospermia in the semen, to provide a basis for determining the treatment plan; testicular biopsy with live sperm can be done with the husband’s sperm (ICSI).