Ovarian reserve test

Contents

Within this page you will find sections on:

• Ovarian reserve fertility testing available at SMS women’s health
• Infertility...an overview
• The causes of infertility
• Next steps...

Ovarian reserve testing is available at the following clinics...

Ovarian reserve fertility testing available at SMS women’s health

The rising trend towards delayed parenthood is resulting in a greater number of women trying to become pregnant at an older age. The difficulty arises for women in not knowing how fertile they will be if they choose to delay pregnancy.

But help is now at hand with the ovarian reserve test from SMS. We offer women who decide to delay parenthood an ovarian reserve test that can give a high level of accuracy in determining their level of fertility.

There are many factors that can have an effect on a woman’s fertility including lifestyle issues such as drinking, smoking and diet. A woman’s age is a simple way of obtaining information on the ovarian function. However, a woman’s age is not necessarily the same as her ovarian age, which is measured not by the passing of time, but by gauging the level of egg reserve at any given time.

Various blood tests and ultrasound examinations have been used in the past to assess how the ovary works, but their accuracy is not ideal.

SMS offer a newer diagnostic approach, used by Dr Luciano Nardo, our Consultant in Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, that involves measuring anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) as a gauge of egg reserve.

Several studies have suggested that AMH concentrations are significantly linked to the number of eggs and reflect the ovarian performance better than other hormones, which tend to fluctuate from cycle-to-cycle.

A measurement of ovarian ageing may also be obtained by ultrasound assessment of the number of follicles in the very early part of the menstrual cycle. Antral follicle count (AFC) is significantly linked to ovarian function and is a good indicator of successful outcome in women undergoing in-vitro fertilisation.

AMH and AFC are diagnostic tests with greater precision than anything else available and can be used in many areas of women’s health, including puberty, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), sub-fertility and premature menopause.

SMS offers ovarian ageing testing (AFC, AMH) at £250. The screen includes a blood test and an ultrasound scan of the ovaries that can determine the number and quality of eggs left in the ovaries.

Book now

Ovarian reserve testing is £250 (includes blood test and ultrasound scan)

Click here to book an appointment or a health screening assessment
Telephone 0854 290 3244

Infertility...an overview

Fertility and Infertility

About one in seven couples living in the Western world have problems conceiving. It has been estimated that around 80 million couples worldwide have some fertility problems.

What is Fertility?

Fertility is the ability to conceive. The crucial step of this process is known as fertilisation - an egg bursts from the follicle and is released from the ovary. The egg then travels along the fallopian tube, where at some point it fuses with the sperm to form a single cell. The fertilised egg takes about three days to travel to the uterus (womb) and during this time the cells continue dividing. The fertilised egg, now known as an embryo, implants itself in the endometrium (lining of the womb).

How Long Should it Take?

Couples who have regular unprotected sexual intercourse (2 to 3 times a week) should conceive within two years. The chance of getting pregnant in any one month is around 20%, but this declines with the female age.

In every 100 couples:

• 20 will conceive within one month
• 70 will conceive within six months
• 85 will conceive within a year
• 90 will conceive within eighteen months
• 95 will conceive within two years

To protect your fertility you can:

• Have a adequate body weight
• Eat a healthy, nutritious and varied diet
• Avoid excessive alcohol (14 units/week for women, 21units/week for men)
• Cease smoking
• Prevent sexually transmitted infections

What is Infertility?

Infertility means being unable to conceive. Few couples are infertile, while most are subfertile, which means they have problems that make conception difficult and medical assistance is required.

There are two types of couple infertility:

Primary infertility - couples who are unable to conceive and have never achieved a pregnancy.
Secondary infertility - couples who after having had one or more pregnancies are unable to conceive.

The causes of infertility

Female Problems

• The ovaries are not releasing eggs (anovulation) or the eggs are immature
• Hormone imbalances or deficiencies
• Genetic abnormalities
• Damaged, blocked or absent fallopian tubes
• The lining of the womb does not develop properly
• Endometriosis
• Previous infections (particularly sexually transmitted infections)
• Previous surgery for ovarian cyst(s)
• The lubricating mucus from the cervix (neck of the womb) is hostile

Male Problems

• Hormone problems
• Genetic abnormalities
• Sexually related problems
• Retrograde ejaculation
• The tubes that carry the sperm are damaged, blocked or absent
• Previous inflammation of the testes (caused by virus or bacteria)
• Previous surgery to correct undescended or twisted testicles
• Varicocele
• Drug treatment or previous radio/chemotherapy for cancer

When to Investigate

• Couples who have not conceived after a year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse
• Couples who have a known cause of infertility, have predisposing factors, or where a woman is aged 35 years or over should be offered early investigations.

Assessing Reproductive Performance

To assess the fertility performance of both male and female, on the first visit to the clinic a full medical history is taken, followed by a series of first line basic tests:

Female tests:

• Hormone blood tests on day 2 to 5 of menstrual cycle
• Blood test for rubella (German measles) immunity
• Blood or urine test for Chlamydia screening
• Pelvic ultrasound scan
  

Further investigations may be discussed and organised on an individual basis if any of the above tests show not to be within the recommended range.

Male tests:

A semen analysis will be required to be arranged, and has to be produced within the premises of an Andrology laboratory.

Next steps...

To book an appointment
Click here to book an appointment or a health screening assessment
Telephone 0854 290 3244

Written and approved by:
SMS medical advisory board