Female fertility profile test

A second opinion service - Free of charge

We offer a second opinion service where you can send us your hormone test results, sperm test results and other results. We offers our opinion based on our longstanding experience in this field on the phone. It will not be a face-to-face medical consultation.

Why you may wish to do this test?

If you have tried to conceive naturally for at least one year (regular sex without birth control), carrying out some tests is a good idea.

The female reproductive system tends to be more complex than the male. As a result, there are more first-line tests a woman should do to determine her fertility status. These tests usually involve inspecting key reproductive hormones, and checking the fallopian tubes are intact.

The female fertility profile test, also called a hormonal imbalance test, is a first-line blood test to check fertility status. It tests these major hormones, which are involved in reproduction:

  • FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone)
  • LH (luteinising hormone)
  • Prolactin
  • Oestradiol (17-beta)

These hormones’ levels can be improved, sometimes substantially. You may wish to check out our treatment page.

Diagram of the female reproductive system, drawn with Chinese calligraphy, TCM Healthcare — London fertility clinic

FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone)

When a woman goes into menopause, she is running out of eggs in her ovaries. The brain senses the low oestrogen environment, and the pituitary gland releases more FSH to stimulate the ovaries to produce good follicles and oestrogen. Think of it like stepping on the gas pedal in the car to get it going: The FSH is the gas, and the pituitary gland releases FSH to get a follicle “going” at the beginning of every menstrual cycle. If there are fewer or lower quality follicles left, the amount of “gas” has to be increased to develop a follicle.

LH (luteinising hormone)

Luteinising hormone, like follicle stimulating hormone, is a gonadotrophic hormone produced and released by cells in the anterior pituitary gland. It is crucial in regulating the function of the ovaries in women.

In women, luteinising hormone carries out different roles in the two halves of the menstrual cycle. In weeks one to two of the cycle, luteinising hormone is required to stimulate the ovarian follicles in the ovary to produce the female sex hormone, oestradiol. Around day 14 of the cycle, a surge in luteinising hormone levels causes the ovarian follicle to tear and release a mature oocyte (egg) from the ovary, a process called ovulation. For the remainder of the cycle (weeks three to four), the remnants of the ovarian follicle form a corpus luteum. Luteinising hormone stimulates the corpus luteum to produce progesterone, which is required to support the early stages of pregnancy, if fertilisation occurs.

Prolactin

High prolactin levels can interfere with ovulation, making it intermittent or take longer to occur. Signs can be infrequent or irregular periods.

Another issue can be a deficiency in the amount of progesterone produced after ovulation, which may result in a uterine lining less able to support or sustain an embryo implant. An indicator of this is your period coming shortly after ovulation. 

Oestradiol (17-beta)

Oestradiol (17-beta), a form of oestrogen, is the main hormone involved in female production. If you have low oestrogen levels, it probably means: Your ovaries are not getting the proper signals, or they are not physically capable of releasing your eggs.

Low oestrogen levels can suppress ovulation altogether or cause other fertility-related problems, such as the uterine lining not thickening, which is required for fertilised egg implantation.

Fee

£155

Includes a report, follow-up phone call to explain the result and to talk about potential treatments.

How long do results take?

Next working day

When can I do the test?

  • Monday to Friday, 7am–6.30pm
  • Saturday, 7am–12.30pm

Test conditions

If you are using contraceptives, it’s best to stop and wait until your first cycle starts.

You should come in on day 2, 3, 4 or 5 of your cycle — day 1 being the first day of menstruation.

Our tests

We will explain the results to you and explore your options if there are issues. As a reputable laboratory carries out our tests, the results are accepted by doctors and clinics across the world. Most results are available between 1 and 3 working days.

Have a look at our comprehensive set of pathology tests below.

We’re also happy to offer advice on which tests may be appropriate for you and help interpret any results you already have.

Book a test

Call us on: 020 7096 0283

Thank you! Your message has been sent!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form

Disclaimer

While we are happy to explain your test results to you, we always advise consulting your GP and having a proper medical consultation about your result. This is because these tests are Western medical tests and are best explained by Western medical doctors. We do not accept any liability regarding interpretation of test results should you wish us help explaining them.

If you have booked a test and decide to change the time or date, we are more than happy to help you change it to one that is convenient to you at no extra charge. However, cancellation will carry a small administrative fee of £30, before refund.