FSH Infertility
If you are currently going through fertility treatments, then you must have a pretty good idea that it can be frustrating and time consuming at times. It involves a lot of tests, treatments, and procedures. One particular test that you might go through is to know your Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels.
There is a clear connection between follicle stimulating hormone and infertility problems. In fact, a test of your follicle stimulating hormone levels will usually be one of the three major tests that are initially given to couples who are having problems with conception. The first if the tests, is a sperm test, to identify whether there is a problem with the male partner’s sperm count or to look for certain abnormalities with the male partner’s sperm. The last test is the test of the female’s fallopian tubes, to ensure that they do not have a blockage of some sort in certain areas.
To further understand the relationship revolving around FSH infertility, it is apparently important to understand first what follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is. Follicle stimulating hormone is a type of hormone produced by the pituitary gland, present in both men and women. In males, follicle stimulating hormone is responsible in the production of sperm. In women, it promotes the growth of eggs. Elevated follicle stimulating hormone in women can indicate a possible FSH infertility problem. Elevated follicle stimulating hormone levels implies that a woman’s ovarian reserve is low.
Follicle stimulating hormone levels can be checked through a simple blood test. During the process of infertility testing, it is just normal to have the woman’s follicle stimulating hormone checked out. In fact, infertility testing and FSH levels tests are often part of a standard fertility test procedure. FSH is usually tested on the third day of the menstrual period, when it is checked for FSH infertility problems. This test is known as a “baseline” or a “day 3” follicle stimulating hormone test. This day is considered to be the best time to get an accurate measure of a woman’s FSH levels. The levels of FSH present in a woman’s body are then compared to an average – which is 10. If the level of the follicle stimulating hormone is over 25, there is a great possibility for the woman to have FSH infertility problems. Levels of follicle stimulating hormones that are between 10 and 25 are considered as borderline.
However, the treatment for low follicle stimulating hormone is generally a bit aggressive. In a lot of cases, the only way that a woman with high levels of follicle stimulating hormone will be able to get pregnant is through the use of donor eggs and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
