Fertility Clinic

PMC Fertility Clinic, Castletroy, Limerick

Please be advised that we take 2-3 hours for your initial appointment. During this time you will get a detailed unhurried consultation with the focus on you. On the first day we perform specific blood tests, swab tests, STD and cancer screening, establish your nutritional and lifestyle profile and give you time to talk about your fertility matters. As part of your fertility assessment we also test hormone profiles over a whole menstrual cycle and perform an internal ultrasound to check both anatomy and function of the reproductive organs.

The Male Fertility Screening also requires a semen sample to establish the sperm count. This test is usually carried out on a separate day.

Preferably both partners get assessed for their fertility to help diagnose or rule out male and female factors for infertility early on. We also welcome individuals without a partner to help with getting answers on fertility, preservation of fertility and to give a personal perspective.

Fertility Check up includes:

Thorough consultation

Cycle Day 2-5 Hormone Blood Tests:

FSH, LH, Estrogen, Androgens, Prolactin.

Cycle Day 21 Hormone Blood Tests: Progesterone.

Anti Muellerian Hormone (AMH), to assess the egg reserve or egg ‘count’.

Prolactin, a pituitary gland hormone, if imbalanced it can impact on fertility.

Androgen profile: Testosterone, Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG).

Male hormones play an important role in female and male fertility.

Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEAS), which evaluates adrenal gland function.

In women assessment of DHEAS , along with other hormones such as FSH, LH, Prolactine, Estrogens and Testosterone, can help to diagnose or rule out polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), factors regarding the presence of excess facial and body hair (hirsurtism), other causes of infertility, lack of menstrual periods (amenorrhoea).

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and Thyroid-Antibodies

Thyroid hormones are key regulatory hormones of the body’s metabolism, sexual and reproductive function. Imbalances can have a profound affect virtually on every metabolic process in the body, such as digestive function, hormonal and vitamin regulation, muscle and nerve activity and can result in significant effects on mood and energy levels.

These imbalances may cause coldness, constipation, poor skin, headaches, dysmenorrhea, cycle irregularities, low sperm count, fluid retention, weight gain, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, depression, PMS, anxiety and panic attacks, decreased memory and concentration and low sex drive.  The TSH test is the test of choice for evaluating thyroid function and symptoms of an over- or under-active thyroid.

In addition and specific to the Personal Medical Clinic we perform a test of Thyroid-Antibodies to evaluate underlying autoimmun deseases of the thyroid, i.e. Hashimoto thyreoditis, which otherwise often goes undiagnosed. A timely diagnosis and treatment can often avoid years of failure to conceive and the sad experience of recurring miscarriages.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), this test assesses your sugar tolerance and can help diagnosing metabolic syndrome as well as borderline or clinical diabetes.

Hormones produced by glands, including the hypothalamus, the pituitary and thyroid gland, the pancreas, female ovaries and male testicles play an important role in controlling and supporting reproduction.

Dietary Assessment and Nutritional Advice

As part of every consultation we thoroughly assess your diet and nutritional profile. Nutritional advice and the use of a personalized fertility supplement can lead to better health and a boost of natural fertility.

Assessments for miscarriage risks

Cardiolipin Antibodies, is a phospholipid (a type of fat in the blood). The levels can be high with abnormal blood clotting, autoimmune disease or repeated miscarriage.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases, STD-Screening: performed as swab tests, blood tests and physical exam for Genital Warts, Herpes Virus, HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and others. STD’s can impact on your fertility.

Blood Tests to ascertain: Liver-, Renal-function, Lipid Profile, Sugar Profile, Electrolytes, Vitamin D and B12, Iron Storage, Full Blood Count, Coeliac Disease, Baseline Allergies.

Cervical Smear Tests, Screening for normal and abnormal cells of the neck of the womb.

Breast check, a physical exam to assess breast tissue for lumps or abnormal findings.

Testicular cancer screening and prostate assessment.

Specific cancer screening prior to fertility treatment is policy at the Personal Medical Clinic.

Thorough review, analysis and explanation of the performed tests and examination results, discussion of treatment options.

Couple Consultation (at an extra charge if added to an individual consultation)