How Your Fertility Is Actually Tested: Understanding the Basics

When it comes to fertility, many people wonder how doctors actually test and understand how many eggs a woman has left. As a fertility specialist, I talk about this with my patients regularly, and it’s important to understand the different tests we use to assess your fertility. Let’s take a closer look at how we test your fertility and what the results mean.

Key Fertility Tests: Blood Work and Ultrasounds

1. FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)

FSH is a hormone produced by your brain that signals your ovaries to start producing eggs. As women age, the ovaries become less responsive to this signal. To compensate, the brain sends a stronger signal to the ovaries, almost “shouting” at them to wake up and make eggs. As a result, FSH levels rise as the number of eggs decreases. A higher FSH level can indicate a decrease in egg quantity and ovarian function.

2. AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone)

AMH is a hormone produced by the cells surrounding the eggs in the ovaries. The more eggs you have, the higher your AMH levels will be. Measuring AMH levels can give us an estimate of your ovarian reserve, or how many eggs you have left. Unlike FSH, AMH levels are less affected by age and can provide a clearer picture of your fertility potential.

3. Antral Follicle Count via Ultrasound

An ultrasound can be used to count the number of small follicles in your ovaries at the beginning of your cycle, a process called an antral follicle count. These small follicles are the early stages of the eggs that could be released. This count helps us understand how many eggs are available in your ovaries at the start of the cycle, giving us an estimate of your egg reserve.

What These Tests Really Tell Us

While these tests give valuable insights, they don’t directly determine whether you can or cannot get pregnant. They are tools used by fertility specialists to assess your ovarian reserve and how likely you are to respond to fertility treatments. The goal is to understand your unique fertility situation and provide the best guidance moving forward.

It’s important to remember that abnormal test results do not necessarily mean infertility. If your results come back outside the typical range, it’s essential to have a discussion with your fertility doctor. Together, we can better understand what those results mean for you and explore the options that are right for you on your fertility journey.

Fertility testing is an essential step in understanding your reproductive health. Whether it’s through blood tests or ultrasound, these tools help fertility doctors like me evaluate how your body is responding and what steps to take next. If you’re considering fertility testing or have already had some tests done, it’s always a good idea to reach out to a fertility specialist for personalized advice and next steps.

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