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Ovarian reserve testing is part of the battery of diagnostic tests to determine the causes of infertility. It is a 2-part test which includes an ultrasound to look at your egg follicles and a blood test to check Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Assay. Measured on day 3 of the menstrual cycle, FSH is a hormone responsible for the development of the egg. An elevated FSH is associated with a low chance of pregnancy.
I haven’t polled physicians, but I think one of the reasons they don’t suggest the test is that they don’t want to add any more pressure on women to make babies. Some may also feel that if you have no signs of infertility, why worry about it. We already know that age is still the most influential factor in assessing fertility. The number of antral follicles can decrease as much as 60% between the ages of 22 and 42 in normal women. Medically speaking, the test only reflects your ovarian health the day you take the test. Lifestyle choices, an unforeseen accident or disease will all affect ovarian reserve.
Generally, insurance companies will not cover the test unless it is part of full diagnostic fetility testing. The test can be expensive but if you are thinking of your life plan, having an idea of your ovarian health would be useful to reconcile work and family priorities or goals. If you take the test before age 32 and a problem is detected, you have a better chance at successful fertility treatment.
Just knowing I could know makes it irresistible.
Filed under womens health.
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