The Role of Fertility Testing and Tech
This week on our Let’s all Talk Fertility webinar channel, I spoke to Dr. Katharina Spies, the Medical Director of Vida Fertility Institute in Madrid, who shared with us her insights on fertility testing, new technologies, and how they can be leveraged to enhance the chances of conception.
Here are the six most important take aways from our conversation:
1. The Foundation of Fertility Testing
Dr. Spies made clear the importance of comprehensive testing for both partners. “To start, we always recommend the complete test basic testings for both for the male and for the female," she explains. For men, this includes a sperm test to evaluate concentration, mobility, and morphology. Women should have their ovarian reserve assessed through a follicle count and AMH levels. AMH levels are a critical indicator of a woman's ovarian reserve. Dr. Spies notes, "If it's higher than 1.2 nanograms per millilite this is a normal ovarian reserve." She also points out the advantage of AMH testing over traditional FSH levels, as AMH "is much more stable and gives us more information with regards fertility.”
2. Advancements in Fertility Treatments
When discussing emerging technologies, Dr. Spies explained to us the concept of ovarian regeneration, a technique that can help women with a low ovarian reserve. "We do a blood test on the woman. We then isolate the platelets and from the platelets, and we isolate the growth factors," she describes. This process aims to "activate the follicles that are dormant," potentially increasing the quantity of eggs retrieved.
3. Addressing Male Infertility
Dr. Spies emphasises the value of DNA fragmentation testing. "Nowadays, we recommend to do a double DNA fragmentation test before we start in order to be able to change it. Because the big advantage for the male is that we can adjust the treatment and try to have better sperm quality," she explains.
4. The Power of Time-Lapse Technology and PGT
Time-lapse technology is revolutionising the way embryos are monitored. "Nobody touches the embryos. There's no manipulation and we can observe them from outside," Dr. Spies told us. Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is another tool that can significantly impact the IVF process. "We can analyse the embryos before we do the transfer in order to only do the transfer of genetically healthy embryos,”. This practise is becoming more practised, especially across IVF clinics in Europe.
5. When Implantation Fails
For couples facing implantation failure, Dr. Spies recommends a thorough investigation. "We start to think about implantation failure, then we start to do more testing normally on the woman," she says. This can include hysteroscopy, thrombophilia studies, and endometrial testing to ensure the uterus is optimally prepared for embryo transfer.
6. The Urgency of Timely Testing
Dr. Spies leaves us with a crucial message: "The most important really is to not wait too long." She advises that individuals over 35 should seek testing after six months of trying to conceive. Early testing can make a significant difference in the journey to parenthood.
Fertility testing is a gateway to understanding and overcoming the challenges of infertility. With the guidance of experts like Dr. Spies and the use of advanced technologies, couples can navigate the complex landscape of fertility with greater confidence and hope.
To find out more about fertility testing, and the latest technologies to help you on our road to parenthood, join us for The Fertility Show this May 18th & 19th at Olympia London.