Do You Need to Consider Ovarian Reserve Testing?
As women get older, their fertility declines, which can make achieving a successful pregnancy more difficult. David T. Vandermolen MD, MS, the medical director of our Northern Louisiana fertility center, offers accurate diagnosis and effective treatment related to common causes of female infertility. Ovarian reserve testing is one of the diagnostic tools Dr. Vandermolen uses to develop a complete picture of your fertility potential.
What is ovarian reserve testing?
A woman’s capacity to produce quality eggs is referred to as ovarian reserve. Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have. With age, the quality and quantity of those eggs decreases. Peak fertility occurs in a woman’s mid to late 20s, and declines over time. Ovarian reserve testing enables Dr. Vandermolen to recognize any female infertility problems related to egg supply.
Should you consider this type of testing?
Before developing an individualized treatment plan, our Northern Louisiana fertility center doctor will want to gather all the relevant details about your reproductive health. Although diminished ovarian reserve can affect women of all ages, Dr. Vandermolen typically sees this issue in older patients. Generally, he recommends this testing in the following cases:
- Patients age 35 or older who have tried to get pregnant for six months or longer
- Anyone who has undergone cancer treatment
- Women wanting to pursue fertility preservation through egg freezing
- Those considering IVF
How the testing works
To evaluate your egg supply, Dr. Vandermolen will typically order blood work and an ultrasound. The blood tests will assess the amounts of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) in your body. Decreased levels of these hormones can indicate lower ovarian reserve. Additionally, Dr. Vandermolen will perform a transvaginal ultrasound to count the egg follicles: the fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries that hold the eggs. Though ovarian reserve testing can identify a reduced egg supply, it cannot measure egg quality.
If you have concerns about your fertility potential, we can help. Testing to measure your egg supply can provide Dr. Vandermolen with insight into your reproductive health and any potential issues with female infertility. Contact our Northern Louisiana fertility center for more information or to schedule an appointment.