Infection screening

Infections, especially long lasting ones, can agitate your immune system and make it overreact. This can make the environment in your uterus hostile for any embryos and your pregnancy. If the infection is enclosed in blocked tubes this can result in hydrosalpinx, meaning that the tube contains potentially infectious fluid. In this instance we prefer to remove the tube with the hydrosalpinx. After assessing the situation down the laparoscope, we either remove the tube completely, clip it near the uterus or make a hole in the tube to drain the potentially infectious fluid.

There are also other less obvious infections which can adversely affect your chances of getting pregnant. At The Fertility & Gynaecology Academy we carry out thorough screening tests for such infections with:

Vaginal Swab: for bacterial vaginosis, gardnerella vaginalis, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, mycoplasma and ureaplasma.

Menstrual blood: for chlamydia using PCR technique (often called the ‘hidden C test’ by patients). We can also check for mycoplasma and ureaplasma in the menstrual blood.

Semen: to test for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, mycoplasma and ureaplasma, as well as chlamydia.

Any infection we find is treated thoroughly with a combination of antibiotics. and the necessary tests are repeated in 3-6 weeks (based on the type and site of the infection) to confirm their successful treatment.