Dr Maree Lee builds a complete and clear picture of your fertility health before recommending treatment, so you know where you stand and what comes next.
For many people, reproductive health and fertility aren’t at the forefront of their minds until it’s time to try for a family. IVF won’t be the right path for everyone, so preconception and fertility assessment helps you get a better picture of what’s going on, so you can begin planning from an accurate starting point.
Assessment will include a range of hormone testing as well as an ovarian reserve assessment, genetic carrier screening and other fertility screening tests relevant to your circumstances.
This kind of fertility check is for anyone who wants answers before committing to a path. That might mean you have been trying to conceive without success or you are planning ahead.
PRECONCEPTION ASSESSMENT INSIGHTS
A preconception and fertility assessment is a comprehensive and detailed exploration of a patient's history, current health, bloodwork, hormone levels and ovarian reserve.
Patients also undergo an ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries to check for fibroids, cysts or signs of conditions such as endometriosis or PMOS (previously PCOS). Where a male partner is involved, semen analysis is usually undertaken. Ovarian reserve is typically assessed using AMH bloodwork alongside an antral follicle count, which together give a more reliable picture of egg reserve than either alone, though neither can predict the chance of natural pregnancy.
Genetic carrier screening has become increasingly important. Since November 2023, Medicare has funded screening for cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy and fragile X syndrome, and RANZCOG now recommends it be offered to all couples planning a pregnancy. However, the national Mackenzie’s Mission study, which screened almost 10,000 couples for over 750 conditions, found 80% of those at increased risk were not carriers of the three Medicare-funded conditions. Expanded screening is now far more affordable and requires no referral or family history, making it an essential part of the preconception discussion.
Visit The Waiting Room to learn more.
Hundreds of genes can be screened for a fraction of the cost of a decade ago.
Carrier screening for CF, SMA and fragile X has been Medicare-funded since 2023.
PMOS affects up to 1 in 10 women and is a leading cause of ovulation problems.
Most assessments wrap up in 1 to 2 appointments.
Male factors play a role in around 50% OF all fertility difficulties.
Are you considering preconception and fertility testing in Sydney? Knowing how it works and what to expect at each step can help you feel more comfortable as you move forward.
Your first appointment is a chance to get to know Dr Maree Lee as she gets to know you. This conversation covers your health, your reproductive history, and any investigations or treatment so far, with plenty of room for your questions.
Bloodwork, ultrasound and any other relevant tests are arranged around what is important to your situation. Dedicated to patient knowledge and agency, Dr Maree will explain why each test is being done, so everything feels clear.
Once all results are back in, Dr Maree will sit with you and walk through exactly what they mean, and answer any and every question you have so you leave the appointment more confident.
Together, you’ll look at what moves are possible, whether that’s trying naturally with more information in hand, exploring treatment, or further investigation. Whatever you decide, it will be your decision, fully informed with the most cutting-edge insights and advice.
Questions often come up after you leave the room, and that’s completely normal. Dr Maree remains available to you as you process everything and figure out what feels right.
A fertility check isn’t only for people facing difficulty. If you’re curious, planning ahead, or just want peace of mind before confirming your plan, that’s a good reason to come and speak with Dr Maree.
Fertility treatments come with a lot of questions, and at Dr Maree’s practice, we are all about delivering the answers. Here are some of the most common queries we receive.
You can book a preconception assessment directly, whether you’re planning ahead or have already started trying, and no prior diagnosis is needed. We do recommend obtaining a referral from your GP or another specialist so that you can receive a Medicare rebate towards your appointment cost.
If you are trying to conceive, planning ahead, or you just want answers about your fertility health, an assessment can help. You do not need to already have a problem or suspect something isn’t working as it should.
It tells you whether you carry a gene for certain inherited conditions, and whether your partner carries the same one. Most carriers have no family history and no symptoms, which is why screening is often the only way to find out.
Most assessments are completed within one or two appointments, though this depends on which tests are relevant to you and how quickly results come back.
Not necessarily. Some people leave with the information they need and continue trying on their own, while others choose to explore treatment. Dr Maree Lee will be honest with you about what your results suggest.
Dr Maree will explain exactly what the result means, what it does and does not indicate, and what your options are from there in a caring and compassionate way. An abnormal result does not always mean treatment is required.
The Waiting Room is the perfect place to take a few minutes and read through the latest research, emerging practices, and insights shared by Dr Maree Lee. The more you know, the more effectively you can consider and discuss your options and make informed decisions that are right for you.
Male factor affects around half of couples trying to conceive, yet the man is often the last to be tested. Dr Maree Lee explains what a semen analysis really tells you and why both partners should be investigated from the start.
Age is information, not a verdict. Dr Maree Lee explains what fertility decline after 35 really means, why AMH doesn’t tell the whole story, and when to investigate.
An evidence-based guide to elective egg freezing by fertility specialist Dr Maree Lee: what it preserves, success rates by age, the process and the Australian rules.
Comprehensive, evidence-based treatments, tailored to your history and your goals.
Specialist investigation and treatment for the female factors that can affect conception.
Specialist investigation into the male factors that are too often overlooked in fertility care.
Regardless of where you are in your fertility process, learning about your body, how it’s working and what might be making things more difficult, can be a big advantage. Book a consultation with Dr Maree and take that first step towards knowing more.
