Flashcards in SUBFERTILITY Deck (44)
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1
What percentage of couple trying to conceive will do so over the course of 1 year?
84%
2
What percentage of couple trying to conceive will do so over the course of 2 years?
92%
3
What is the definition of infertility?
Failure to conceive after regular unprotected sexual intercourse for 2 years
4
What is the difference between primary and secondary subfertility?
Primary refers to couple who have never had a previous pregnancy, whereas secondary refers to those who have had a previous pregnancy.
5
At what point do we investigate couples who are having trouble conceiving?
After 1 year of trying.
Investigation may be needed earlier if history reveals risk factors such as infection, menstrual irregularities or where female is over 35 years old
6
In what percentage of couples struggling to conceive will the factor be only from the male?
22%
7
In what percentage of couples struggling to conceive will the factor be only from the female?
57%
8
In what percentage of couples struggling to conceive will the factor be only from both the male and the female?
21%
9
What is considered frequent enough sexual intercourse in order to have a good chance of conceiving?
Every 2-3 days
10
What key things should be asked about in a history from a women in a subfertile couple?
Duration of subfertility
Frequency of intercourse
Coital problems - female vaginismus, dyspareunia
Previous pregnancies, outcomes and modes of delivery, including ectopic.
Past gynae history - menorrhagia (fibroids), dysmenorrhoea (endometriosis), Asherman's (adhesions), previous infections, oligo/ameno-rrhoea
Past medical history - chronic (renal/thyroid), eating disorders
Drug history - previous contraceptive use, regular use of NSAIDs, folic acid supplements
Social - smoking and alcohol, exercise and weight loss
11
What are the female causes of infertility relating to ovulatory dysfunction?
Chronic systemic illness
Eating disorders
Obesity
PCOS
Hyperprolactinaemia
Hypo/hyperthyroidism
Cannabis use
NSAIDs
12
What are the female causes of infertility relating to tubal anomalies?
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Previous surgery
Previous ectopic pregnancy
Endometriosis
13
What are the female causes of infertility relating to problems with the uterus?
Fibroids
Uterine septae
Congenital anomaly
Asherman's syndrome
14
What are the female causes of infertility relating to coital dysfunction?
Vaginismus
Dyspareunia
15
What key things should be asked in a history from a man in a subfertile couple?
Erectile/ejaculatory dysfunction
Past surgical history - inguinal hernia repair, undescended testes, testicular torsion, bladder neck surgery
Past medical history - cystic fibrosis (vas deferens obstruction), epididymo-orchitis (from STI), post-pubertal mumps (orchitis), chronic medical conditions (eg renal and diabetes)
Drug history
Social history - smoking, alcohol, occupational history (driving raises temp)
16
What drugs can lead to male subfertility?
Anabolic steroids
Cannabis
Cocaine
Sulfasalazine (IBD)
Colchicine (gout)
Nitrofurantoin (Abx)
Tetracycline (Abx)
Alpha blockers - interere with ejaculation
Beta blockers
17
What basic blood test is a first line investigation and should be done for a woman who presents as part of a subfertile couple?
Mid-luteal phase progesterone: performed a week before next period is due (normally day 21)
18
What investigations should be done for a woman who presents as part of a subfertile couple?
MId-luteal phase progesterone
Pelvic ultrasound - structural abnormalities of uterus, ovarian cysts (PCOS), hydrosalpinx
Microbiology - screen for chlamydia
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) or Hysterosalpingo contrast sonography (HyCoSy) - testing tubal patency
Dye guided laparoscopy can be used to find tubal occlusion (semen screen must have been done before this invasive procedure)
19
What investigations should be done for a man who presents as part of a subfertile couple?
Microbiology - screen for chlamydia
Semen analysis
20
What are the normal parameters in semen analysis?
Volume - 1.5-5 mls
Count - more than 20 million/ml
Progression - more than 50%
Normal forms - more than 30%
21
How should a man go about providing a semen sample for analysis?
3 days abstinence with at least a 72 hour history of good health
Sample should be examined within 1 hour of production.
Ideally two samples should be taken at least 12 hours apart
22
What about a semen analysis would suggest epididymo-orchitis?
Presence of more than 106 WBC
23
What do we define oligozoospermia as?
Less than 15 million/ml count
24
What do we define asthenozoospermia as?
Less than 32% motility
25
What do we define teratozoospermia as?
Less than 4%
26
What is the most common cause of male subfertility?
Oligo-terato-asthenospermia
27
How do you treat a woman who is subfertile due to anovulation?
Optimise general health - thyroid disease, diabetes
Weight loss if high BMI
Consider clomiphene (anti-oestrogen) to induce ovulation
Consider adding metformin if overweight
Consider ovarian drilling
28
What are the most important risks associated with clomiphene use?
Ovarian cancer
Multiple prenancy
29
How do you treat a woman who is subfertile due to uterine, tubal or pelvic problems?
Often removed prior to IVF
Hydrosalpinges are drained
Endometriosis can be operated on
Tubal blockage can be surgically removed
30
