You may be expecting a baby, or you may be someone who wants to get a little idea of your fertility. At that point, you may have heard the words 'ovarian reserve testing' or ``(Ovarian Reserve Testing)''. So, you probably have a lot of questions about what it really is, what it can tell you, and who it's important to. We're going to talk about all of that today, just like you would talk to a friend.
What is Ovarian Reserve Testing?
Simply put, this is a test that doctors use to get an idea of your fertility potential , that is, your ability to have a baby. But the results are only understood by comparing them with other people your age. This test mainly involves a blood test and a transvaginal ultrasound . Both of these try to get a rough idea of the number of eggs in your ovaries.
Think about it, we are all born with all the eggs we will have for the rest of our lives. It's like money in the bank, you can only withdraw it, no new eggs will be produced. This is what we call the ovarian reserve . So, this egg reserve naturally decreases with age. From the results of this test, doctors can also predict to some extent how you will respond to fertility treatments such as `(IVF)` (in vitro fertilization).
However, it's important to remember this : These ovarian reserve tests cannot tell you with 100% certainty whether you will be able to conceive naturally . Your doctor will only use these results to help decide what the next steps in your treatment are.
Who is it important to take this test for?
Now you're probably thinking, 'Okay, if this is the case, should I get this done?' There are several reasons why a doctor might recommend ovarian reserve testing. See if any of these apply to you:
- If you have a health condition, such as cancer , and you think it may have affected your egg count.
- If you are planning to start fertility treatments like IVF .
How do you know if your egg reserve is low?
This is a problem that many people have. In fact, the only way to know for sure whether you have low egg reserves or not is to have a fertility evaluation done by a doctor . This means that this is not something we can just feel or find out at home. Specialist medical advice is definitely needed.
How is this ovarian reserve test done?
An ovarian reserve test can help predict how successful fertility treatments will be. However, it cannot tell you the ``egg quality`` of your eggs , that is, how healthy they are, or exactly how many eggs you have.
This test has three main parts:
1. A blood test to measure the level of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) .
2. Another blood test measures the level of Anti - Mullerian Hormone (AMH) .
3. Transvaginal ultrasound is used to perform an antral follicle count (AFC) test.
Let's talk about each of these in a little more detail .
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
FSH is a hormone that controls the growth of eggs in your ovaries. It is released by the pituitary gland in your brain. This causes a follicle (a small, fluid-filled sac containing an egg) in the ovary to begin to grow. These follicles produce a hormone called estrogen , which in turn tells the pituitary gland how much FSH to produce. Doctors usually measure your FSH levels around the third day of your monthly cycle .
Anti -Mullerian Hormone (AMH)
`(AMH)` is another hormone produced by the follicles in your ovaries. Remember, the eggs are inside the follicles. This means that the higher the `(AMH)` level, the more eggs you have . Since the number of eggs decreases with age, the `(AMH)` level also decreases with age. Unlike `(FSH)`, the `(AMH)` level can be measured at any time during the menstrual cycle . If the `(AMH)` level is less than 1 nanogram per milliliter (less than 1 ng/mL), it may indicate that your egg supply is decreasing. However, it cannot tell you for sure about your ability to get pregnant .
Antral Follicle Count (AFC)
This is what a transvaginal ultrasound does. It allows your doctor to look at the number of follicles in your ovaries. Remember, eggs develop in these follicles. These follicles are usually counted during the first four days of your monthly cycle .
The important thing is that the doctor uses these test results as just one of many factors to make a decision about your overall fertility. This means that it is not a single decision.
What factors affect egg reserve?
There are several things that affect egg reserve, and age is the main factor .
As we've talked about before, you're born with all the eggs you'll ever have in your life. Some people are born with more eggs than others. When you're young, that is, when you start menstruating, you've already lost millions of eggs. During a normal monthly menstrual cycle, several eggs try to develop, and one of them, the main, mature egg, is released during ovulation. So, even though your body releases one egg each month, you lose thousands of eggs per year .
Another important factor that doctors consider is egg quality . This refers to how healthy your eggs are.
In addition to these things, there are several other reasons that may affect your egg count:
- Surgery on the ovaries or a problem with one or both ovaries.
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer.
- Having a severe pelvic infection .
- If someone in your family has had early menopause (family history).
Are there any risks with this test?
No, absolutely not. This ovarian reserve test is a safe, risk-free test . It only requires a small amount of blood to be taken from a vein in your arm, and the aforementioned transvaginal ultrasound. So there's no reason to worry about it.
What are the limitations of this test?
While this test can give you some idea of how you will respond to fertility treatments, it doesn't tell the whole story . This is what we need to understand.
While an ovarian reserve test can give an indication of the number of eggs, it cannot tell you how healthy those eggs are, that is, the quality of the eggs . For example, someone may have a normal egg reserve, but their egg quality may be low. If that happens, those eggs may not be fertilized during treatments like IVF. Studies have shown that egg quality also begins to decline after the age of 35 .
There are also other factors that affect fertility that are not related to egg quantity or quality. Doctors do this ovarian reserve test as part of fertility testing to help get an idea of your overall fertility.
How long does it usually take to get results?
Typically, you will receive your results within a week of the test. Your doctor will then combine the results of the ovarian reserve test with the results of any other fertility tests you have had and discuss a treatment plan that is right for you.
What do the results of this test really say?
The results of your ovarian reserve test can help predict your fertility potential and how you will respond to fertility treatments . However, it cannot tell you when you will get pregnant or exactly how many eggs you have left . However, it can give you some indication of whether your egg supply is lower than that of others your age.
No single fertility test can accurately predict your chances of getting pregnant or your response to fertility treatments . The results of all your fertility tests, including your ovarian reserve test, are analyzed together. Your doctor will take all of these results together and help you develop a treatment plan that works best for you.
How accurate are these ovarian reserve tests?
Fertility testing is a diagnostic test . That is, it cannot tell you exactly how many eggs you have, how long you have left to get pregnant from your eggs, or when you will go through menopause. However, it is the most accurate tool doctors have at the moment .
Especially when it comes to IVF treatment, ovarian reserve testing is important because your egg count and your response to hormonal medications are directly related to the success of ovarian stimulation.
What is a 'good' egg reserve? / Is there a 'good' level of egg reserve?
It's hard to say what constitutes a 'good' level of egg reserve. Because normal egg reserve levels can vary from lab to lab and from doctor to doctor , don't try to interpret your results on your own or compare them to other people's results without the help of your doctor.
It's hard to give an ovarian reserve test a 'good' score, because each test measures different things. Instead, your doctor will take all of the results from both your blood tests and the ultrasound and see if your ovarian reserve levels are within the normal range .
Is there a way to increase our egg reserve?
This is a question that many people ask. To put it bluntly, no. You can't increase the number of eggs you have . Remember, we are born with all the eggs we will have in our lifetime. They cannot be regenerated.
However, you may be able to influence your egg quality . There are a few lifestyle changes that can help:
- Eating nutritious food and taking necessary vitamins.
- Getting enough sleep.
- Avoid smoking and stop or limit alcohol consumption.
Can egg quality be checked?
There is currently no specific test to check the quality of your eggs. Although ovarian reserve tests can give you a rough idea of how many eggs you have left, they cannot tell you how good those eggs are, that is, their quality. You will only know the exact quality of your eggs after you start IVF treatment .
Finally, the most important things you need to remember (Take-Home Message)
Okay, so we've talked a lot about this ovarian reserve testing. I think you have a good idea about it now. Remember, this is just one tool that doctors use to find out about your fertility. There are many other factors that affect fertility treatments and getting pregnant.
There is no 'magic formula' to predict your future, or to predict exactly how successful fertility treatments will be. And there is no way to predict exactly when your egg count will decrease.
The most important thing is to talk openly about all of this with your doctor . Discuss your hopes, your concerns, your questions, everything with him. Don't be afraid to ask about fertility tests and what the results say. Then your doctor will be able to make the decisions that are best for you. You are not alone, and there are doctors who can help you on this journey.
` Ovarian Reserve Testing, Fertility, Oocyte Size, AMH, FSH, AFC, IVF, Women's Health, Fertility
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