Giving optimal fertility care by evaluating your ovulatory function.

In up to 20 percent of infertile couples, ovulation problems that prevent the woman from ovulating eggs (anovulation) are present. This makes performing an ovulatory function evaluation a crucial initial step when investigating the source of your infertility. By closely monitoring your ovulation cycle, the specialists at Kofinas Fertility Group in New York can detect improper functioning and give you targeted treatment to improve your fertility.

Ovulation evaluation is the first step toward a successful pregnancy.

At the beginning of the menstrual cycle, an egg forms in the ovary. The eventual release of the egg is called ovulation. As the egg travels through the fallopian tubes into the uterus, the uterus produces the hormone progesterone to prepare the lining of the uterus for the implantation of a fertilized egg.

During your ovulatory function evaluation, we will perform one or more of the following tests in order to give us an accurate picture of your menstrual cycle:

• Basal body temperature (BBT) – Typically, a woman’s body temperature rises slightly around 24 hours after ovulation. By using a graph to track a woman’s body temperature, we can review the timing of other tests and intercourse/insemination.
• Endometrial biopsy – We remove a small sample of the lining of the uterus and examine it under a microscope. This enables us to detect problems with the uterus that can prevent the successful implantation of a fertilized egg.
• Serum progesterone test – Because progesterone increases after ovulation, monitoring your progesterone levels helps us track your ovulation cycle and allows us to determine if sufficient progesterone levels are present to properly prepare the uterus for implantation of the embryo.
• Hormone testing – Besides progesterone, other hormones such as prolactin and thyroid hormones can also affect the ovulation cycle.

After we perform the necessary tests, our insight into your ovulation cycle will allow us to proceed with the care that will best improve your fertility according to your specific needs. You and your future child are our primary concerns, and we will keep you fully informed of the meaning of your test results, as well as our rationale for the next step in your treatment.

For more information about our ovulatory function evaluation process, or to schedule an appointment, call 718-340-3611. You can also schedule an appointment using our easy online form.