Planning to conceive? Check your fertility with these tests
Couples consult fertility specialists only when they have trouble conceiving. However, you must get your fertility checked as soon as you start planning for a baby. Not only does this help ease things, it also gives you an idea about what to expect and the steps you need to take well in advance.
We tell you about some tests for women that can help determine your fertility.
Blood test for STI screening
Your fertility is largely affected by your sexual health. Hence, it is important to ensure that you do not have any untreated infection. Any inflammation or scarring from STIs can block the fallopian tubes and cause complications in your pregnancy.
Test for checking hormone levels
Hormone levels are important for your reproductive system to function properly. Following fertility tests for women can help determine the hormone levels in the body.
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) test
This test can help detect thyroid disorders like hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism or thyroid autoimmune diseases. These disorders affect the levels of other important hormones in your body, which, in the event of any imbalance, can also cause problems with your fertility. Testing your thyroid levels can offer your doctor a great deal of insight about any potential fertility issue.
AMH (Anti-mullerian hormone) test
Anti-mullerian hormone or AMH is produced in your ovaries by growing follicles till the time they can produce eggs for ovulation. This test can give an idea of the number of growing follicles. This can help your doctor decide whether you can produce quality eggs.
FSH (Follicle Stimulating hormone) test
This hormone is produced by your pituitary gland and is related to ovulation. It stimulates growth in the ovarian follicles leading to production and release of egg during ovulation. FSH is produced until you ovulate, and if you do not, the hormone levels continue to rise. If you get tested early in the menstrual cycle, the FSH level indicates the amount of effort your body is putting in for ovulation. Higher levels of FSH show a diminishing ovarian reserve.
LH (Luteinizing hormone) test
This hormone works with FHS to regulate both ovulation and the menstrual cycle. Levels of LH increase before ovulation, in the middle of your cycle. This is known as an LH surge. Taking the stage of your cycle into account, the LH test can tell you whether you have ovulated. It can identify issues with ovulation or menstruation. High LH levels other than during the LH surge can indicate issues such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) , premature menopause, or a congenital defect with hormone production. Low LH levels mean absent or irregular menstruation or issues with the pituitary gland.
Ultrasound
There are immature eggs in various stages of growth in the ovarian follicles. These follicles can be seen and counted through an ultrasound. The more the number of antral follicles, the more eggs you are likely to have. A follicle count on the higher side indicates a healthy ovarian reserve, and can be a green signal to conceive; whereas a low count is a sign of a reduced ovarian reserve and you can go for in vitro fertilization.
All these tests are basic and are performed as a blood or urine test or as an outpatient procedure. If your doctor detects any issue with these tests, he may ask you to undergo some more conclusive tests to help with the diagnostics. You can find some of the best fertility centres in Chennai which can guide you on your journey, from testing your fertility to conception.
