HSG before ICSI and cystic fibrosis testing?

[Despmummatobe]

I am about to embark on my ivf/icsi journey and had a few questions. The reason why we are going via ivf is due to male factor infertility - oligoazoospermia. It has definitely improved through diet and lifestyle changes but still considered to be low in numbers. We have been TTC >1 year. We are both 32 years of age and considered healthy. My periods are regular and i possibly may have pcos but show no typical symptoms. My AMH is considered to be high.

I was wondering is it necessary to have an hsg/hycosy if i am going to have ivf/icsi?

Also is it necessary to have cystic fibrosis genetic testing to be done even though we have no family history?

Please note - we have never fallen pregnant and no history of miscarriages.

I don't think CF testing is necessary unless there is a family history of it or doctor's suspect your partner is a carrier. It's not a standard test to have done in terms of fertility testing at all

HSG isn't really relevant either if you are skipping straight to IVF as it's only really done to confirm if your tubes are blocked or not as an explanation as to why you may not be falling pregnant. However if the HSG picks up fluid in the tubes then this is useful information as it can cause implantation failure and miscarriage

Hi @Despmummatobe - what are your partners numbers? Have he been taking supplements to try to improve them? If that is likely to be the cause and your tests have come back 'normal', I'm not sure there is any point to a HSG?

We have just been referred for our first fertility app, but it's at the end of July. Have you had your first app yet? We are early 30s and have been trying for 1 year. It's so tough isn't it. wWe too have IVF/ICSI journey ahead of us due to MIF - I just really would like to get pregnant naturally! X

So my partners first SA in sept was 2 million in count but in Jan this has gone up to 15 million. Motility has improved and morphology improved from 0 to 2%

He has been taking wellman conception, no alcohol, portion control, vitamin d and also taking conceive plus fertility tablets. He has also been having brazil nuts 5/day

The fertility clinic recommended cystic fibrosis testing based on husbands low count but its very expensive and I don’t think the low counts are down to a urological problem or any conditions like cystic fibrosis. My husband has no chronic conditions and generally a healthy person

I am optimistic however we are still going ahead with ivf/icsi as we have been ttc for >1 yr

Great thank you for your advice. This is all new for me so feeling a bit anxious and questioning whether the tests they suggest are really necessary at all

@Despmummatobe just a little to add to this. I spoke to the hospital today and they want me to have a HSG too - even tho we would be deemed as having male factor infertility. So, maybe it is worth having - I am dreading it.

@Despmummatobe it should be fairly inexpensive to see if you and your partner are carriers for CF, if you are both carriers then it's definitely worth testing the embryos as there is a 1 in 4 risk of the child having CF. Me and my partner sent of a 23andme test, I'm sure your clinic will say they want their own test doing.

I personally think everyone having IVF should have either a saline scan of HSG, because finding out that there is a structural issue after a number of unsuccessful transfers would be devastating.

No I dont think it's necessary at this stage, maybe in the future if needed. When are you starting?