Ovarian reserve testing gives Dr. Vandermolen critical insight into female fertility
Female fertility testing enables David T. Vandermolen MD, MS, the medical expert at our Northern Louisiana fertility center, to accurately diagnose and treat our patients. Once Dr. Vandermolen identifies any barriers to pregnancy, he can create a personalized fertility treatment plan. Ovarian reserve testing is one element in determining the cause of female infertility.
A quick overview of female fertility
Although men continue to produce sperm throughout their lives, women are born with all the eggs they will ever have. The number of eggs that you have left in your ovaries is referred to as your ovarian reserve.
During puberty, menstruation begins, and one egg is released with each regular monthly cycle. However, women lose thousands of eggs each year. Over time, the quantity and quality of your eggs decline. Ovarian reserve testing enables Dr. Vandermolen to get an accurate picture of any potential female fertility issues.
What is ovarian reserve testing?
With age, the number of eggs in the ovaries drops, the quality of the eggs decreases, and the number of abnormalities in the eggs increases.
This type of testing uses a series of blood tests, combined with ultrasound imaging, to assess the number of eggs remaining in a woman’s ovaries. Because the actual age of decline varies from person to person, these tests allow Dr. Vandermolen to determine your female fertility potential compared to women in a similar age range.
Who should consider this testing?
As part of a standard female fertility evaluation, Dr. Vandermolen will begin by gathering a complete medical history, ordering routine blood work and performing a physical exam. These results provide Dr. Vandermolen with the basic details of your reproductive health.
In many cases, he will also recommend ovarian reserve testing, especially when certain risk factors are present.
- Women ages 35 or older
- Patients younger than 35 who have tried to conceive for more than 12 months
- Those with a history of recurrent miscarriage
- Couples and individuals who are planning on undergoing IVF cycles
- Anyone who has had a medical treatment that can affect fertility, such as radiation or chemotherapy
How do you conduct these tests?
The most common tests for ovarian reserve measure levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH).
Higher levels of AMH indicate a higher number of eggs and better odds for pregnancy, while a low level can indicate a lower ovarian reserve. Very high or very low levels of FSH can indicate ovulatory dysfunction.
We will also evaluate your antral follicle count (AFC), or the number of follicles in your ovaries, using a transvaginal ultrasound. This test can also look for anything unusual with your reproductive organs.
For more than 30 years, Dr. Vandermolen has assisted our patients in building the families of their dreams. We look forward to partnering with you as you travel your own path to parenthood. Contact our office to learn more about ovarian reserve testing at our Northern Louisiana fertility center.