If you have been trying to conceive for 6 months or more without success—especially if you are in your 30s—it’s probably time to evaluate your fertility.
Infertility can be caused by a variety of factors. Male infertility accounts for a third of the cases and causes include absent sperm or low sperm counts, problems with sperm motility and morphology, and abnormal hormone levels. Female infertility also accounts for a third of all cases and can be due to age, ovulatory dysfunction, or issues with the uterus or fallopian tubes.
An infertility blood test around the twenty-third day of a woman’s menstrual cycle can measure the amount of progesterone hormone produced, if ovulation has occurred, and other hormones that are significant for fertility such as Follicle Stimulating Hormone and estradiol.
Progesterone is a good indicator of ovarian function. It peaks around 1 week after ovulation, so levels are taken a week before the expected first day of menstruation to see if ovulation has occurred.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is involved with egg production and ovulation. Levels can indicate whether a woman has ovarian failure, is in perimenopause or menopause, or has stopped producing eggs.
Estradiol is a steroid hormone released from developing ovarian follicles. Levels can indicate if there’s a problem with the oocyte or immature egg. High FSH or estradiol levels suggest impaired oocyte development at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, which could indicate reproductive aging or bad ovarian reserves.
At ARCpoint Labs of The Woodlands, our basic and comprehensive fertility panels test for several hormones essential to fertility and provide results within 3-5 days.
Schedule an appointment at ARCpoint Labs of The Woodlands to learn more about your fertility.