General

What do I bring to my scheduled office appointment?

Apart from your insurance and Medicare information you are required to bring the following:

• Driver’s License or any other valid ID
• X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and other reports and relevant information
• Names of the medications that you are taking (if any)
• Referral letter (if required)

Is a referral required to request an appointment?

In many cases, a medical specialist accepts only referred patients. This is to ensure that the specialist you are visiting suits your specific needs. Moreover, Medicare pays higher rebates for specialist services if you have been referred.  Check with your insurance provider for your particular requirements.

Will my medical records be kept private and confidential?

Maintaining privacy of your health records is of utmost important to us. Our staff maintains strict confidentiality requirements with regard to your medical records, which is one of the conditions of employment. Without your consent, the contents of your medical file will not be released.

What role does my family doctor play in finding specialist medical care?

It is always helpful to talk to your family doctor before seeing any medical specialist. He or she can guide you while obtaining appropriate specialist care that is best suited for your needs. In addition, your family doctor can aid the specialist by providing relevant information about your health. This collaboration in turn helps your family doctor to care for your better during and after your specialist treatment.

Medical

What is female infertility?

Infertility is defined as the inability of women to conceive after a year of having unprotected sex, or the inability of women to sustain pregnancy.

What are the causes of infertility in women?

Infertility can be present from birth (congenital) or can be acquired as you age. Some of the causes may include:

• Problems with ovulation
• Damaged fallopian tubes
• Abnormalities of the cervix and uterus
• Premature menopause
• Adhesions
• Other medical conditions

Who is at risk?

Your risk for infertility increases with age. You are at a greater risk if you smoke, consume excess alcohol, or are overweight, obese, or underweight.

Is female infertility treatable?

With the advancements in medical technology, it is now possible to treat the condition of female infertility. Options for treatment may include:

• Drug therapy
• Surgery
• ART (Assisted Reproductive Technique)
• In vitro fertilization (IVF)

What days am I most likely to get pregnant?

Fertility is determined by ovulation or the release of a mature egg from one of your ovaries. This is the right time to plan intercourse and increase your chances of getting pregnant. The exact time of ovulation is difficult to identify, so doctors recommend that couples have intercourse between days 7 and 20, counting from the first day of the woman’s menstrual cycle. There are many over-the-counter ovulation kits that can tell you when you are ovulating. You can also determine the window period by taking note of certain specific changes that your body undergoes during ovulation. These include clear, slippery vaginal discharge, and increased body temperature.

How can I plan my pregnancy?

Pregnancy planning involves talking to your doctor prior to becoming pregnant. It involves assessing you for any illness or pre-existing diseases that may affect the pregnancy and delivery of a healthy baby. The planning process helps create a healthy environment for the fetus, and can prevent birth defects as well as other pregnancy-related problems. Although many women have normal pregnancies, pre-planning with your physician improves the chances of a smooth pregnancy and a healthy baby.

What is the normal course of pregnancy?

The average length of pregnancy or gestational period is 38 to 40 weeks. Calculated from the first day of your last menstruation (bleeding), the gestational period is divided into 3 stages or trimesters:

• First trimester (week 1 to 12)
• Second trimester (week 13 to 28)
• Third trimester (week 29 to 40)

Each trimester marks specific changes that happen in your body and growth developments in your child.

What is Male Infertility?

Male infertility is a common reproductive problem affecting men. It is a condition where the male in the relationship affects the ability of the woman to become pregnant.

Is male infertility treatable?

With the advancements in medical technology, it is now possible to treat the condition of male infertility. Options for treatment may include:

• Drug therapy
• Surgery (in cases of varicocele and obstruction of the sperm duct)
• Assisted reproduction

What is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, can refer to a total inability to achieve erection, firm enough for sexual intercourse, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections.

 What is Azoospermia?

Azoospermia is a condition that involves absence of sperm in the seminal fluid. The condition causes infertility in males and requires male infertility treatments for those who wish to reproduce with their partner.

What infertility treatments are recommended for low sperm count?

The treatment options for low sperm count depend on the cause of the condition. In obstructive azoospermia, the blockage can be corrected through a surgery. Treatment of non-obstructive azoospermia represents a greater challenge. Sometime hormonal medications can be prescribed to regulate the sperm producing hormones. Otherwise fathering a child can be achieved through microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (TESE) procedure. TESE procedure involves removal of testicular tissue for the extraction of sperm to fertilize an egg to be used for in vitro fertilization.

What is sperm mapping?

Sperm mapping, also known as testicular sperm mapping or Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) mapping is a non-surgical procedure to trace sperm location and sperm count in the testicles of men who have non-obstructive azoospermia, a condition where the man has no sperm in their semen. Sperm mapping can determine whether there is sperm in the testis, where it is located, and how much is present.

How do I schedule an appointment?

You can schedule an appointment by calling us directly during our working hours.