Causes of Infertility in Women – Different Hormone Level Tests
Causes of Infertility in Women
There can be several reasons behind the causes of infertility in women but one of the most common causes of infertility are horomone levels. There are different tests that are available to diagnose the imbalances present in hormone levels. Some of the most common fertility hormone level tests are as described below:
FSH or Follicle-Stimulating Hormone: It is very important to measure the levels of the Follicle-Stimulating Hormone before starting any treatment and prior to evaluating the reasons behind a woman’s infertility. By measuring the FSH levels, the measure of the follicles and the eggs that are remaining in the ovarian reserve and also the quality of the occytes can be determined. If a person has a high FSH level, then it indicates that the oocytes are low in number and are of poor quality. The FSH test is usually done on the second or third day of the menstrual cycle. There are three levels that FSH can come under and they are: borderline which is between 10-12 microIU/L, abnormal which is greater than 12 microIU/L and the normal level which is less than 10 microIU/L. if a borderline result is encountered, then it indicates that the ovarian reserve is very poor and there is a need for intensive treatment. If an abnormal FSH level is the result, then it indicates that the ovarian reserve is poor and that there is a low likelihood of the woman being able to conceive with her own eggs. The FSH results vary according to the laboratory the analysis is done in and the standards used by the laboratory.
E2 or Estradiol: Estradiol is a type of estrogen which is present in the ovaries after being produced by the follicles. If a high level of E2 is the result of the test which is usually done on the third day of the menstrual cycle, then it could indicate that there are abnormalities associated with the ovarian reserve in spite of the person having a normal FSH level.
Progesterone: Progesterone is one of the most important hormones needed for the entire fertilization process to happen and to find one of the most common causes of infertility in women. The corpus luteum produces progesterone and when an embryo develops, a similar action is performed by the placenta. A blood test is performed to check if the corpus luteum is functioning properly. The main function of the progesterone is to develop the lining of the uterus and to prepare it for implantation of the embryo. If the amount of progesterone that is produced is insufficient then the endometrium may not have the ability to sustain the implantation process. Progesterone testing is typically done after a week or eight days after the suspected period of ovulation.
Prolactin: Prolactin is a hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland in order to stimulate the production of breast milk. If the prolactin levels are found to be high (>25ng/ml), then it might cause infertility problems.
These are a few of the hormone level tests that are performed on women who experience or suffer from causes of infertility in women.
