A Fertility MOT is a comprehensive assessment of male and female reproductive health. Similar to a car MOT, its purpose is to identify and address issues before they become a problem.
If you have a history of health problems that could affect your fertility, undergoing a Fertility MOT can be beneficial. A Fertility MOT can assist you in planning and determining the best time to start a family, especially if you have been trying for a long time and are contemplating treatment.
In this blog we will explore the main elements of what is tested as part of a Fertility MOT.
Medical History
A detailed medical history is an important part of a Fertility MOT. It helps identify risk factors that may impact upon male or female fertility. It also identifies underlying health issues and medications that could impact upon a pregnancy such as Diabetes, Hypertension or Epilepsy. Your doctor will take a comprehensive history asking questions that will help to identify any relevant history. Click to see examples below.
Female History
Male History
AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone)
AMH, also known as Anti-Müllerian Hormone, is produced in the ovaries and offers insights into the quantity of eggs available. It is assessed by a simple blood test. A higher AMH level suggests a greater egg count. A decline in AMH is a natural occurrence with advancing age.
Elevated AMH levels may indicate conditions like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, while decreased levels can be linked to ovarian failure. It is important to note that AMH levels do not necessarily determine the likelihood of a natural pregnancy, as women with low AMH levels can still conceive.
AMH serves as a valuable decision-making 'tool', providing you and your doctor with a deeper understanding of your ovarian reserve. It assists in determining the appropriate course of action, timing, and approach, as well as in managing treatment expectations.
Thyroid Function
Having a healthy thyroid is crucial for overall health as well as reproductive health. Minor alterations in thyroid function are frequently seen in women of reproductive age and may not manifest obvious symptoms. A prevalent issue is the tendency towards an underactive thyroid, known as subclinical hypothyroidism.
Thyroid issues may lead to irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, an increased risk of miscarriage, and less successful fertility treatments. Evaluating thyroid function can be done through a basic blood test.
Pelvic Ultrasound Scan
During your fertility assessment, your doctor will conduct a baseline scan, typically using a vaginal ultrasound probe to obtain a detailed image of your uterus, ovaries, and pelvis. This scan helps them examine the anatomy and rule out any possible issues. The baseline scan aims to identify as well as exclude various factors such as
Antral Follicle Count (AFC) - An ultrasound version of your AMH
Position and accessibility of ovaries for IVF
Ovarian cysts
Anatomy and shape of the womb
Fibroids in the womb
Polyps in the cavity of the womb
Abnormal fluid collections such as fluid in the tubes (hydrosalpinx)
Semen Analysis
Semen is a biological fluid and as such it can vary considerably from sample to sample. Given this fact, your doctor will usually not rely on a single sample if it is abnormal.
Having abnormal results in your semen analysis doesn't necessarily mean you should panic. Many men with abnormal results are still capable of achieving a pregnancy. Even if there is an absence of sperm in the sample, it doesn't definitively indicate a lack of sperm production; additional tests may be necessary to determine the cause and chances of obtaining sperm.
Producing the sample in the clinic where possible is crucial to maintain ideal conditions and ensure the highest level of accuracy in the result. Sometimes men find this difficult and can be given 'kits' to produce at home. The sample undergoes microscopic analysis and is compared against a set of standards known as the WHO criteria. Various factors are assessed during this process including;
Volume of ejaculate
Sperm count
Sperm motility
Sperm morphology or the proportion of normal looking sperm
The presence of 'anti-spermantibodies' which may affect how the sperm function
The suitability of the sample for different treatment types
Your fertility doctor will go over the results with you in detail and arrange any further tests that are required.
If you have further questions or want to discuss whether a Fertility MOT may be of benefit to your treatment make an appointment.
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