Understanding Infertility Screening
Infertility screening for couples, which often involves fertility tests, is a comprehensive set of medical evaluations and tests aimed at identifying the causes of infertility in individuals or couples who have been unable to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse.
At Vejthani Hospital’s VFC Center in Bangkok, Thailand, infertility screening is a thorough process tailored to each individual’s medical background. This evaluation begins with a detailed review of your and your partner’s medical histories, including past illnesses, surgeries, and drug therapies that might be linked to infertility issues. It also considers factors like menstrual cycle patterns, contraception usage, lubricant use during intercourse, and any stress-related disorders.
Additionally, the infertility check in our Bangkok clinic looks into specific reproductive and hormonal conditions such as galactorrhea disease and hirsutism, as well as changes in body weight and male sexual health.
The physical examination includes detailed assessments of height, weight, arm span, hair distribution, and breast development. For males, it involves an examination of the penis and testicles, including their size, shape, and overall appearance. It also checks for conditions like varicose veins in the scrotum or abnormalities in the urethra. This meticulous approach to fertility tests ensures a holistic view of potential fertility issues for couples, aiding in accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.
What Causes Infertility?
Infertility can stem from a variety of causes, often involving complex interactions between genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
Causes of Male Infertility
Low Sperm Count or Poor Sperm Quality: This can be due to various factors, including genetic defects, hormonal imbalances, or conditions like varicocele, which is the enlargement of veins within the scrotum.
Blockages in the Reproductive Tract: Conditions such as blockages in the vas deferens or epididymis can prevent sperm from being ejaculated.
Hormonal Imbalances: Infertility screening in our Bangkok clinic can determine whether a patient has low levels of hormones such as testosterone, which can affect sperm production.
Genetic Disorders: Conditions like Klinefelter syndrome, where men have an extra X chromosome, can impact fertility.
Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, obesity, and exposure to environmental toxins can all affect sperm quality and quantity.
Infections: Infections such as epididymitis or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause scarring that blocks sperm passage.
Causes of Female Infertility
Ovulation Disorders: Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid problems can interfere with the hormonal regulation needed for ovulation.
Fallopian Tube Damage or Blockage: This can be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis, or previous surgeries.
Endometriosis: This condition involves the growth of uterine tissue outside the uterus, which can cause inflammation and scarring and affect fertility.
Uterine or Cervical Abnormalities: These can include fibroids, polyps, or structural issues that affect embryo implantation.
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI): Also known as premature ovarian failure, where the ovaries stop functioning normally before the age of 40.
Lifestyle Factors: Poor diet, high stress levels, obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol use can negatively impact female fertility.
Unexplained Infertility
In some cases, the cause of infertility cannot be identified despite thorough fertility testing. This is known as unexplained infertility and affects a significant number of couples.
Recommended h3 headings to add here:
- Causes of male infertility
- Causes of female infertility
- Unexplained Infertility
Am I A Candidate For Screening?
Knowing when to get screened for infertility largely depends on individual circumstances and specific health factors. Here are some general guidelines to consider:
- Duration of Trying to Conceive: If you’ve been trying to conceive for over a year without success, it’s recommended to undergo infertility screening at our Bangkok clinic. This duration is reduced to six months if the woman is over the age of 35 due to the decrease in fertility that occurs with age.
- Irregular Menstrual Cycles: Women with irregular, very painful, or absent menstrual cycles should consider an infertility check. These can be signs of conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis, which can affect fertility.
- Known Medical Conditions: If you or your partner have known health issues that can affect fertility, such as hormonal imbalances, previous reproductive surgeries, conditions like endometriosis in women, or issues with sperm count or quality in men, it’s prudent to seek screening.
- Age Considerations: Women over 35 and men over 40 might consider earlier screening, as fertility declines with age.
- History of Miscarriages: Multiple miscarriages could be a sign of an underlying fertility issue, warranting a check.
- Lifestyle Factors: Factors like significant weight fluctuations, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, or a history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can impact fertility and are reasons to consider screening.
- Family History: A family history of fertility issues can also be a reason for early screening.
If you’re in Thailand, an infertility check at the VFC Center in Bangkok can be a crucial step toward starting a family. Our advanced medical facilities offer comprehensive diagnostic tools and treatments, providing couples with the necessary insights and support to address their fertility challenges effectively.
Infertility Diagnosis
Infertility screening at the VFC Center in Bangkok, Thailand, involves utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to assess fertility in both men and women. It includes hormone tests, imaging studies, and specialized evaluations to pinpoint the cause of infertility.
Infertility Checks for Men
The infertility screening process in our Bangkok clinic starts with a detailed review of the patient’s medical history, including previous illnesses, surgeries, and any medications. A physical examination will be conducted, including an assessment of the penis and testicles to check for abnormalities such as varicose veins in the scrotum and evaluate overall physical health.
Semen analysis is a primary test done to evaluate sperm count, motility, and morphology. This test helps understand the quantity and quality of sperm. The patient will also undergo a hormonal evaluation involving blood tests to check levels of hormones such as testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which play crucial roles in sperm production.
In cases where genetic factors might be involved, tests such as karyotyping or Y chromosome microdeletion may be conducted. Imaging tests such as a scrotal ultrasound may also be needed to detect issues like varicocele or blockages in the reproductive tract.
Infertility Checks for Women
For women, the infertility check process also involves a series of tests and evaluations. The doctors in our Bangkok clinic will review the patient’s medical history, including menstrual cycle patterns, previous pregnancies, and any surgeries. A comprehensive physical examination will assess overall health and identify any physical abnormalities.
Hormonal testing will be done through blood tests to measure levels of hormones such as FSH, LH, estradiol, and thyroid hormones. These tests help in understanding the hormonal balance and ovarian function. A pelvic ultrasound will examine the ovaries and uterus to check for conditions like PCOS, fibroids, or ovarian cysts.
Procedures such as a Hysterosalpingography (HSG) X-ray test may be conducted to check for blockages in the fallopian tubes and evaluate the shape of the uterine cavity. Additionally, ovarian reserve testing such as anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels and antral follicle count (AFC) may be needed to assess the quantity of eggs remaining in the ovaries.
Preparation Before Infertility Screening
Before undergoing fertility tests, it’s important for couples to prepare by:
- Avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs.
- Maintaining a healthy diet and weight.
- Reducing stress through relaxation techniques.
Choose Vejthani Hospital’s VFC Center for Intertility Screening in Thailand
An infertility screening at VFC Center in Bangkok, Thailand, is the first step in proactively addressing conception issues. After analyzing your test results, we will develop a personalized fertility plan tailored to address identified issues. Our advanced medical facilities are equipped with comprehensive diagnostic tools and state-of-the-art treatments to support couples facing fertility challenges.
Fertility Technology
After an infertility screening and diagnosis, our team of highly experienced and trained doctors utilizes the latest innovations in fertility treatment, including a range of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as:
- IVF (In vitro fertilization) process combines eggs and sperm outside the body then transfers the embryo to the uterus.
- ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) enhances fertilization by directly injecting a single sperm into an egg.
- IUI (intrauterine insemination) places sperm directly into the uterus to increase fertilization chances.
- SSR (surgical sperm retrieval) is a method for collecting sperm from the testicles to help men with no sperm in the ejaculate.
- Egg, sperm, and embryo freezing uses cryopreservation technology to preserve them from aging and damage for a future potential pregnancy.
- Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) involves a biopsy of the blastocyst embryo to screen for genetic conditions before implantation.
- Ovarian rejuvenation is a platelet-rich plasma therapy that improves ovarian function and egg quality.
State-Of-The-Art Treatment
The EmbryoScope Plus is a critical advancement in our treatment capabilities at VFC Center. This sophisticated embryo culture incubator incorporates a time-lapse system, enabling doctors to closely monitor and select the most viable embryos for fertilization.
Before the introduction of EmbryoScope Plus, embryologists had to periodically remove embryos for assessment, checking their quality and development rate over three to five days. This technology enhances our ability to optimize outcomes and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
We Are Here To Help
With the significant advancements in IVF and ICSI, couples experiencing fertility issues now have a greater chance of starting a family, thanks to high-quality medical assistance. Start your journey to parenthood with an initial infertility check in Bangkok, at Vejthani Hospital’s VFC Center. Couples can take the first step towards addressing their fertility concerns with the support of cutting-edge medical care and personalized treatment plans.