Ovarian reserve testing is a series of assessments aimed at evaluating the quantity and quality of a woman’s remaining eggs. These tests are crucial for those considering fertility treatments or egg freezing, as they provide insights into reproductive potential and guide personalized fertility planning.
Understanding ovarian reserve is essential as it can predict how a woman’s ovaries will respond to fertility treatments. It helps tailor fertility plans and interventions to maximize the chances of successful conception.
Women over 35 years of age, those with a family history of early menopause, individuals considering delaying pregnancy, and those who have undergone treatments like chemotherapy that can affect ovarian reserve should consider this testing.
A transvaginal ultrasound is conducted to visualize the ovaries and count the antral follicles. This count provides an estimate of the number of small follicles present, which is indicative of the ovarian reserve.
The AMH test measures the levels of Anti-Müllerian Hormone in the blood, which correlates with the number of antral follicles in the ovaries. Higher levels suggest a higher ovarian reserve.
The FSH test is performed on the third day of the menstrual cycle. Elevated FSH levels can indicate reduced ovarian reserve, as the body needs more FSH to stimulate the growth of follicles when the reserve is low.
The LH test measures the levels of Luteinizing Hormone, which is crucial for regulating the menstrual cycle and ovulation. Abnormal LH levels can signal issues with ovulation or overall reproductive health.
Low levels of Inhibin B, a hormone produced by ovarian follicles, often indicate diminished ovarian reserve. Measuring Inhibin B is part of understanding ovarian function and reserve.
While ovarian reserve testing provides valuable insights into a woman’s reproductive health and fertility potential, it is not a definitive predictor of when menopause will occur. It can, however, indicate the likelihood of approaching reduced fertility.
