Couples who are unable to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse, may undergo a series of medical exams which will help pinpoint the cause of infertility. There are several blood tests for infertility, which will be run on both partners to determine if one or both are suffering from an ailment that affects their ability to conceive. Here are the top five infertility causes that blood tests check for. Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here
FSH – Follicle-stimulating hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and regulates the development, growth and reproductive processes in the body. In women, FSH helps regulate the menstrual cycle and production of eggs by the ovaries. In men, it helps control the sperm production. An abnormally high or low level of FSH in the body can be a sign of the body’s inability to produce eggs or sperm.
LH – Luteinizing hormone is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and works synergistically with the follicle-stimulating hormone. LH plays a major role in regulating menstrual cycle and egg production in women, as well as stimulating the production of testosterone (a hormone which stimulates sperm production) in men. Abnormally high levels of LH may be a sign of premature menopause or polycystic ovary syndrome (in women) and testicular failure (in men).
Progesterone – also known as P4, this is a steroid hormone involved in pregnancy and embryogenesis. It is produced in the ovaries during the second half of the menstrual cycle and helps prepare the uterus for pregnancy. Progesterone levels remain elevated during pregnancy and help the placenta function properly. A progesterone test is aimed at determining whether ovulation is occurring.
Prolactin – this is a hormone, produced by the pituitary gland that is best known for its role in lactation. Pregnant women with high prolactin levels will have breast milk, but high levels of prolactin in women who are not pregnant or are not breastfeeding may cause difficulties in conceiving as it inhibits ovulation.
Testosterone – this male hormone affects the sexual functioning of both men and women. In men it is made in large amounts by the testicles, in women ovaries produce half of the testosterone in the body. While levels of testosterone are much lower in women than in men, this hormone can be a cause for infertility in both.
Blood tests for infertility are among the first medical exams that you and your partner will be subjected to when consulting a fertility specialist, and a very important step in successfully treating the cause of your infertility.
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