The investigation of the woman answers four questions: are the ovaries working properly, are the fallopian tubes patent, is the uterine cavity normal, and is the endometrium able to receive an embryo. Each of these is assessed with particular tests, which are scheduled for particular days of the cycle.
What it involves
- Hormone testing: FSH, LH, estradiol, prolactin, AMH and thyroid function.
- Hysterosalpingography or HyCoSy / HyFoSy: assessment of tubal patency and of the integrity of the uterus.
- Endometrial receptivity testing: identifying the window of implantation in selected cases.
- Testing for chronic endometritis: where there have been repeated implantation failures or miscarriages.
The combination of the findings, together with the history and the gynecological ultrasound picture, determines whether what follows is simple monitoring, ovulation induction, insemination or IVF.