Ovarian reserve testing provides insight into your reproductive potential
Science has shown that a woman’s age plays a key role in her ability to conceive. However, each person is unique, so two women who are the same age could have different levels of fertility. For this reason, our Austin fertility doctors use ovarian reserve testing to help gain insight into a woman’s reproductive potential.
Ovarian reserve refers to egg supply. As a result, our team can use this type of fertility testing to make an educated guess as to how many eggs they may be able to recruit from your ovaries. Your physician can then discuss your likelihood of conceiving and create an individualized fertility treatment plan to maximize your chance of success.
Who can benefit from this type of fertility testing?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends ovarian reserve testing for women over 35 who have not conceived after six months of attempting pregnancy. This organization also recommends it for women who have received cancer treatment.
This type of fertility testing is also appropriate for women who are using fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) to help them conceive. Women pursuing egg freezing should also consider having this testing. This type of testing can help our Austin fertility doctors predict how the patient’s ovaries will respond to the fertility medications for egg freezing.
How ovarian reserve testing works?
Our Austin fertility doctors can use several different types of fertility testing to estimate a woman’s egg supply. This includes bloodwork and an ultrasound.
- Measuring Day 2 or Day 3 follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels can provide valuable information. An elevated FSH indicates a diminished egg supply.
- Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is another hormone that can provide insight into a woman’s reproductive potential. A low AMH level suggests a low egg supply and a potential poor response to fertility medications.
- Antral follicle count involves using a transvaginal ultrasound to count a woman’s follicles (small, unstimulated sacs that contain eggs). Typically, seeing more antral follicles on an ultrasound means that a woman has more eggs in her ovaries.
Ovarian reserve testing can help estimate how many eggs a woman has remaining in her ovaries. However, this type of fertility testing cannot assess egg quality. Additionally, having a diminished egg supply does not mean that a woman will not be able to conceive. In fact, Texas Fertility Center offers several treatments to help women who have been diagnosed with a low ovarian reserve.
To learn more about this type of fertility testing, contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our caring and knowledgeable Austin fertility doctors. We can help you learn more about your reproductive potential and develop a plan so that you can welcome a baby.