Ebendorferstraße 6/4, 1010 Vienna, phone +43 (0)1 402 53 41

Diagnostics for couples wishing to conceive

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DIAGNOSTICS - FINDING THE CAUSE

You would like to know why you haven’t been able to conceive despite trying for a long time? It is important for you to find the reason why pregnancy has not been achieved so far? Are you considering taking advice and help from a fertility clinic and would you like to know what to expect? 

Our goal is to provide you with optimal medical and human support along your journey to having children.  

We want to do our best to fulfil your wish for a baby. This includes:  

 

  • Sufficient time for you to get to know us, ask your questions and express your concerns.  
  • Detailed diagnosis according to the latest medical knowledge.  
  • Comprehensive and understandable information on all possibilities and measures available to you. 
  • The thorough discussion of the best treatment for your individual case and the subsequent precise coordination. 

We always have an open ear and strive to meet your needs and concerns.

Dr. Brunbauer, YOUR FERTILITY EXPERT IN VIENNA 

OVERVIEW DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDUREs

1. Initial consultation  

2. Clarification of the causes

3. Determination of the hormonal status

4. Ultrasound examination

5. Verification of fallopian tube continuity (HYCOSY)

6. Examination of male fertility: spermiogram

The first step in your fertility journey is always a detailed  initial consultation. Appointments can be scheduled at any time. We take a full hour for each couple so we can: 

  • get to know each other, 

  • Clarify your  medical history and 

  • develop a  strategy  for  further treatment. 

You can contribute to the success of your first consultation by  bringing all your relevant medical reports with you. With the  first appointment  we lay  the foundation for further steps. Therefore, it is good if we can involve  both partners from the beginning. If your time permits, it is beneficial to attend the initial consultation as a couple. This first appointment gives you the opportunity to address any topics and questions that are on your mind. Also, you can formulate your expectations and express your wishes. 

It is  important  to us that you  feel that you are well advised, optimally treated and overall comfortable with us. The initial consultation offers you the first opportunity to bring forward all that is important to you. We listen and ask questions that help us to optimally understand your situation. Of course we will treat your information with the necessary sensitivity. 

Each fertility treatment starts with the clarification of possible reasons. Man and woman are included in this diagnosis. With various investigations we get to the bottom of the causes for the unfulfilled desire for children.

Depending on the individual situation, we carry out one or more different examinations. We discuss all procedures in detail with you and inform you about their course.

Arztzitat - Dr. Mathias Brunbauer

Dr. Maria Röthlisberger

Deputy medical director | SPC for gynecology and obstetrics | IVF expert | ÖGUM level II

"A careful clarification of the causes of the unfulfilled desire for children is the first milestone on the way to your desired child."

Ultrasound examination of the woman

The gynecological ultrasound allows a fast, pain-free and reliable diagnosis. Through this vaginal, sonographic examination, we can find out if there are abnormalities of the uterus, ovaries or the Fallopian tubes. In addition, ultrasound allows us to assess the uterine wall and uterine lining more accuaretly. The ultrasound is combined with a palpation examination, whichalso serves to detect abnormalities, such as thickening. If necessary, a smear will be made during the examination.

We remove secretions from the vagina with a cotton swab. This sample is tested in the laboratory for bacteria and fungus spores. A smear is only necessary if the last swab was taken more than nine months ago. With these investigations we gain indications of possible illnesses and can draw first conclusions.

 

Determination of the hormonal status of the woman

To determine if your hormone production is in order, we carry out what are known as endocrinological examinations. This allows us to clarify whether the interaction of your hormones in the monthly cycle is working.

The regularity of your cycle can be a first clue. A cycle covers the period from the first day of menstration to the last day before the next menstruation. This period usually takes 28 days. If your cycle matches this pattern, everything is usually fine. Frequent bleeding or an irregular cycle, however, indicate hormonal imbalances.

 

Verification of fallopian tuve continuity (HYCOSY)

For getting pregnant successfully, it is important that the Fallopian tubes are open and functional. If the path of the sperm or fertilized ovum to the uterus is blocked, the desire for a natural pregnancy remains unfulfilled. Therefore, it is of great importance for the fertility treatment to check the patency of the Fallopian tubes.

This can be carried out by ultrasound examination, the so-called Hydro Contrast Sonography (HyCoSy) - an almost risk-free and gentle examination. A catheter is placed in the vagina to inject a contrast agent into the uterus. This contrast agent runs from the uterus into the Fallopian tubes and shows very clearly whether both tubes are open or a blockage afftects the patency.

In some women, this study has not only diagnostic effects, but also therapeutic ones: After this "flushing" there is an increase in the natural pregnancy rate in the subsequent three months.

 

The fertility of a man depends on his sperm. With a semen test (spermiogram) we check the fertilization ability of the sperm.

In a consultation before the examination, we analyze the medical history and explain the course of the investigation:

  • Two to three days before the semen test you should have no ejaculation.
  • You can obtain the semen sample in our clinic via masturbation. A space with the necessary privacy is available.
  • The sample is examined directly in our laboratory.

The spermiogram gives us information about the number of sperm, their mobility and their shape. We also check the ph value and some other criteria. If the test results are outside the normal range, further examinations can clarify or initiate necessary therapies. Often there is no evidence of limited fertility in the results. Nevertheless, the spermiogram helps us to fulfill your wish for a child.

The sum of the various examination results will determine which treatment or method of artificial insemination is suitable for you.

 

Fertility check in man

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Just ask us.

We have compiled the most common questions for you. For further information, please visit our comprehensive FAQ section. If you have additional questions or need personalised advice, feel free to contact us by phone at +43 (0)1 402 53 41. Our team is always happy to assist you.

In the initial interview we get to know each other, we take your detailed medical history and develop a strategy for your further treatment. Contribute to the success of your first conversation by bringing all existing test results. Use our "initial consultation checklist" for your preparation. This first appointment gives you the opportunity to address any topics and questions that you are dealing with. You can formulate your expectations and express your wishes. 

It is important to us that you feel that you are well advised, optimally treated and overall comfortable with us. 

That depends on your individual situation.  

Man and woman are included in the diagnosis. We discuss all necessary examinations with you in detail. Possible investigations include an ultrasound examination of the woman, a female hormone panel, examination of the tubal patency (HyCoSy) and a semen test  (spermiogram)  in men. 

As a rule, we conduct an  ultrasound examination  on the woman during the  initial consultation  in order to gain insight into your specific situation from a fertility perspective. 

The so-called Hydro Contrast Sonography (HyCoSy) is an almost risk-free  and  gentle examination. It takes about five to ten minutes. It may cause mild, menstrual-type pain that quickly passes. 

No, the examination is performed on an outpatient basis without anesthesia.

We examine the spermogram quickly. Usually you get the results after 30 minutes.

In principle, this would be possible, but we prefer the semen sample to be done at the Wunschkind-Klinik. We provide you with a  discreet space in which your privacy is maintained. The main reason is that no more than 60 minutes should elapse between ejaculation and examination of the sperm. The  temperature  also plays an important role. In addition, only specific containers may be used to prevent contamination of the semen sample. 

In the clinic, the optimal conditions are met to enable accurate semen analysis. 

Wir untersuchen das Spermiogramm zügig. In der Regel erhalten Sie die Ergebnisse nach 30 Minuten.

80% of couples conceive after one year of regular sexual intercourse without contraception. After this time period, you should clarify the causes. This includes a spermiogram. 

You can find the costs for a spermiogram as part of fertility treatment here. We will be happy to inform you about the prices, financing and subsidies through the IVF Fund.

We use a spermiogram to assess male fertility. In doing so, we evaluate the quality of your sperm according to various criteria. These include the number of sperm in the ejaculate, the shape, motility, liquefaction time, volume of the ejaculate, viscosity (whether the semen sample is viscous), pH, color and vitality (how many live sperm are contained in the ejaculate).

First, we will inform you in detail and make an appointment with you. You should be sexually abstinent for at least three days before this date. You should not have a cold, inflammation or fever on the day of the spermiogram, as this may affect the result. In our clinic, we have a discreet room where you will obtain the semen sample for us to examine by maturbarion. We will discuss the results and subsequent treatment recommendations with you and your partner in a follow-up appointment. 

If the result of your spermiogram is not due to a previous disease or has genetic reasons, you should consider lifestyle changes. Smoking, drinking large amounts of alcohol, being overweight and excessive stress have a negative effect on sperm quality. Healthy diet, regular exercise and emotional well-being help to improve sperm quality. 

A complete sperm production cycle takes 96 days. In principle, a spermiogram can be done about 12 weeks after cancer treatment. However, the regeneration of fertility depends on various factors, such as the level of the treatment dose received or the age of the patient. Often, the spermiogram was already of reduced quality before the start cancer treatment. Seek advice from your treating physician before scheduling a spermiogram. Especially in the case of atesticular tumor, full recovery can take up to three years, and in certain cases up to nine years.