When should infertility be investigated?

Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
Updated on May 02, 2025
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There are many reasons for infertility, involving factors from the male, the female, or both. The specific timing for testing cannot be generalized and should be determined based on the test required. For male factors, if a semen analysis is needed, it is best to abstain from ejaculation for two to seven days and conduct the test in the morning. If testing involves blood work for six sexual hormones, it should be done in the morning on an empty stomach. A prostate examination requires urine retention before the test. For female factors causing infertility, blood tests should also be done in the morning on an empty stomach. Hysterosalpingography should be scheduled to avoid the menstrual period, ideally two to seven days after the period ends. Consult a professional physician for other specific tests.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
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Is infertility immunotherapy effective?

Infertility immunotherapy is effective, first looking at the cause of infertility. If infertility arises due to immune dysfunction, immunotherapy can be employed for targeted treatment at that time. If it is caused by fallopian tube blockage, tubal hydrotubation can be performed, followed by further fallopian tube treatment. Furthermore, if infertility is caused by anovulation of the ovaries, initially monitor the follicles via ultrasound. If indeed the follicles are not ovulating, medication can be used to stimulate ovulation. If infertility is caused by endocrine disorders, it is essential to regulate the endocrine system accordingly. Therefore, whether infertility immunotherapy is useful depends on the cause. If infertility occurs due to immune dysfunction, immunotherapy can be effective. If infertility is caused by other reasons, immunotherapy will be ineffective, hence it is crucial to evaluate the situation accordingly.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
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How to regulate infertility caused by cold in the body?

Patients with cold-induced infertility can eat some foods that expel cold, such as adzuki beans, Chinese yam, coix seeds, and jujube, which can effectively help eliminate cold from the body. They can also drink chrysanthemum tea, fat sea, and honeysuckle tea, which can help regulate the body. It is also important to avoid cold, stimulating, and greasy foods, and it is recommended to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables to aid digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, methods such as steam sauna, soaking feet in warm water, cupping, and moxibustion can effectively help expel cold and improve symptoms of infertility.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
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Infertility means.

The concept of infertility in medicine is defined as follows: both male and female partners have normal sexual relations without using any contraceptives, and if the female cannot become pregnant after a year, this condition is diagnosed as infertility. Previously, the time frame for diagnosing infertility was set at two years. However, due to the implementation of the two-child policy, the average age of both men and women tends to be higher, so it is generally limited to one year. If there is no pregnancy within this period, it is urgent to go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment in order to identify the cause early and treat it accordingly, to avoid delaying the condition.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
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Where to apply moxibustion for infertility?

The principle of traditional Chinese medicine treatment for infertility mainly involves nourishing kidney qi, benefiting essence and blood, nurturing the Conception and Thoroughfare Vessels, and regulating menstruation as the general principle, through which syndrome differentiation and treatment are applied to treat the condition accordingly. For infertility moxibustion, the following acupuncture points can be selected: The first one is the Guanyuan point, also known as Dantian, located 3 inches below the navel. The second is the Qihai point, located on the anterior midline of the lower abdomen, 1.5 inches below the center of the navel. The third is the Uterus point, located on the lower abdomen, 4 inches below the center of the navel and 3 inches aside from the midline. The fourth is the Sanyinjiao point, located on the inner side of the lower leg, 3 inches above the tip of the medial malleolus. The fifth is the Zusanli point, located on the outer side of the lower leg, 3 inches below the knee. These are the main acupuncture points.

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What should an infertile man check?

The definitive diagnosis of male infertility requires determination based on professional examination procedures. Common examinations include the following: First, it is crucial to conduct a medical history interview. The patient should actively cooperate and honestly report their conditions, such as whether they have had mumps, any unsafe sexual behaviors, and what their occupation is. Second, a physical examination, including a general body and reproductive organ examination, is necessary. Special attention should be given to the patient's developmental, nutritional, and mental status, with a focus on the development of the reproductive organs. Third, laboratory tests. The most common is semen analysis. Other tests may be selected based on specific conditions, such as X-ray examinations to determine the location of any blockage in the vas deferens. Techniques such as vasography, epididymography, vas deferens and seminal vesicle radiography, or urethrography can be used. Testicular exams are also performed to assess the condition of the testicles. Additionally, immunological tests, including sperm agglutination and immobilization tests, are used to detect sperm agglutination antibodies or immobilization antibodies in serum or seminal plasma, which help assess the immune status.