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Whenever a woman decides to become a mother, at some point it crosses the parents’ minds whether they will face difficulties in conceiving a child. Particularly if fertilisation is resistant and delayed: that is when all the alarm bells can go off.
The first recommendation is always to go to a specialist and discuss your particular case. The doctor will most likely order a blood test. Do you want to know how the results can help the doctor determine if you are having problems conceiving?
The answer lies in hormone testing. In fertility, there are several hormones that play a critical role in a woman’s reproductive cycle.
✔ The first is follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH: it is essential for the maturation of ovarian follicles and, therefore, for ovulation.
Abnormally high or low levels of FSH may indicate that the ovaries are not functioning properly, and pregnancy may be difficult.
✔ Luteinising hormone or LH is responsible for initiating ovulation in each cycle.
It plays a role in the release of the egg and allows fertilisation to occur. If there is an imbalance in the values of this hormone, it could cause fertilisation problems.
✔ Prolactin is also checked through blood tests, which, if it has high levels, directly inhibits ovulation.
✔ And we cannot forget about the levels of oestrogen and progesterone present in our body.
Oestrogen is responsible for the growth of the endometrium in the uterus, where an embryo must implant. Progesterone has other functions that allow a pregnancy to be maintained, ensuring that it is not lost prematurely.
In addition to hormones, blood tests can also indicate other health problems that hinder fertility, such as thyroid problems, for example. Thyroid imbalances can also affect metabolism and lead to problems with ovulation and therefore fertility in general. It is important to remember that a blood test alone is not a fertility diagnosis. Your doctor will most likely order other types of complementary tests, such as a Pap smear or ultrasound.