We offer a second opinion service where you can send us your hormone test results, sperm test results and other relevant information. We provide our views, based on our longstanding experience in this field, over the phone. Please note that this is not a face-to-face medical consultation.
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 reproductive system, and as a result, there are more first-line tests a woman can do to help assess fertility status. These typically involve checking key reproductive hormones, and confirming that the fallopian tubes are open and functioning.
The female fertility profile test, also known as a hormonal imbalance test, is a first-line blood test used to check fertility status. It tests major hormones involved in reproduction:
The level of these hormones can be improved, sometimes substantially. You may wish to check out our treatment page.
When a woman enters menopause, her follicles is running low. Lower reserve reduces the the number of follicles available for recruitment. This leads to lower oestradiol and inhibin output. 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.
High prolactin levels can interfere with ovulation by disrupting the normal hormonal signals that regulate the menstrual cycle. As a result, ovulation may become delayed, irregular, or may not happen at all. This can show up as infrequent or irregular periods.
In some cases, even when ovulation does occur, the body may not produce enough progesterone afterwards. Progesterone helps prepare and maintain the lining of the womb for implantation. If levels are too low, the lining may be less able to support an embryo. One possible sign of this is a short interval between ovulation and the start of the next period.
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.
ÂŁ145
Includes a report, follow-up phone call to explain the result and to talk about potential treatments.
Next working day
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.
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.
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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 ÂŁ30, before refund.
