I can’t fall pregnant. Can infertility scanning help me find out why?

If you have not been successful in becoming pregnant, you will want to find the underlying condition that is preventing you from conceiving as soon as possible. As many symptoms of infertility can be vague, our specialist range of diagnostic scans can uncover the source of your infertility and provide you with the answers you are looking for.

Expert diagnosis is critical. At Newcastle Ultrasound, we use the latest infertility scanning technology and specially trained sonographers. You are provided with immediate scan results and a review by a specialist infertility specialist on the same day as your scan. We do this to help you uncover the underlying cause of your infertility so you don’t have to attend multiple appointments across various locations.

What are the most common types of infertility scans that you perform and what are they used for?

All the ultrasound examinations are undertaken with specially configured ultrasound machines which incorporate 3D/4D imaging. This technology allows computerised clear pictures and reconstructions of the pelvic organs, providing clearer and more accurate diagnostic detail. Colour Doppler examinations looking at blood flow to specific organs help to assess their function, especially when investigating adenomyosis and endometriosis.

Ultrasound

Comprehensive ultrasound techniques are used to provide images of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes to confirm their size, shape and anatomy. In this way we can detect the presence of endometriosis, ovarian cysts, blocked tubes, or any uterine abnormalities such as polyps, fibroids or abnormalities with the size and shape of the uterus.

Ultrasound is also used to monitor treatment once it has started. An example of this is when monitoring ovulation during infertility management and IVF. In most cases internal or vaginal scans provide the highest quality of information and are performed by our female sonographers with our specialist gynaecologist in attendance.

HyCoSy (hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography)

This special ultrasound investigation can assess whether the tubes are blocked. Under ultrasound guidance a catheter is placed into the uterus and a special type of fluid introduced into the uterine cavity. The fluid is observed with colour Doppler ultrasound to assess the fallopian tubes by confirming if the fluid passes through the tubes.

Keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery

Keyhole surgery is not an ultrasound procedure, but rather a surgical technique conducted at a hospital in cases where ultrasound alone does not provide enough detail. It is a day procedure where the patient is asleep for 20 to 30 minutes. A telescope is inserted into the abdomen to look at the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

The procedure is most commonly used to diagnose and treat endometriosis; however it can also be used to confirm the presence of ovarian cysts and uterine abnormalities. Keyhole surgery produces very accurate results, and treatment can often be undertaken at the same time as diagnosis.

Ultrasound examinations are extremely important in helping to plan for keyhole surgery, especially if abnormalities or endometriosis have been detected or are suspected.

Other tests

We use the latest state of the art technology and clinical processes. If any of the above scans are inconclusive or not right for your condition we will advise which additional scans and tests may be required.

Contact your GP about a referral to Newcastle Ultrasound for a scan to find the underlying reason for your infertility

Call our patient liaison consultant on (02) 4957 3899 to make a time for a confidential chat to discuss fertility issues and ask any preliminary questions you may have.