Essentials Female Fertility blood test

Female hormones are vital not only for reproductive health but also for overall well-being, influencing energy levels, mood, and metabolism. Oestradiol (E2), the primary form of oestrogen, is produced in the ovaries and plays a central role in the menstrual cycle and fertility. Other key hormones include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), and progesterone. Together, these hormones help regulate the menstrual cycle and support reproductive function. Testosterone, often thought of as a male hormone, is also important for women. It is used by the body to produce oestrogen and plays a role in maintaining bone and muscle strength, mood, energy levels, and libido. Hormone levels naturally fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle and shift with age. As women approach perimenopause and menopause, oestrogen and progesterone levels typically decline, while FSH and LH levels increase in response to these changes.

Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that supports reproductive health. It’s best known for its role in stimulating milk production during pregnancy and breastfeeding, when levels naturally rise. Prolactin also influences the menstrual cycle, and elevated levels can affect the balance of other key reproductive hormones, such as follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, oestrogen and testosterone.

Several hormones are key to fertility, as they help regulate the menstrual cycle and support ovulation. These include follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone and oestradiol to gain further insight into reproductive health, it can also be helpful to test levels of testosterone, progesterone, prolactin, DHEA-S, and AMH. Thyroid hormones also play an important role, as imbalances can affect cycle regularity and ovulation.

Testing female hormone levels is best between days two and five of your menstrual cycle, with day three being ideal. At this stage, levels of luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and oestradiol are typically at their lowest and most stable. If your periods are irregular, aim to take the test on day three of your next cycle. If that is not possible, or if you do not have periods, you can take the test on any day, but please let us know the date your sample was collected, so we can interpret your results accurately. For the most reliable results, we recommend taking your sample in the morning, as hormone levels can fluctuate throughout the day.

Although often considered a male hormone, testosterone also plays an important role in female health. As women approach menopause, testosterone levels, along with oestrogen tend to decline, which can contribute to symptoms such as low mood, fatigue, and a reduced sex drive. Conversely, elevated testosterone levels in women may be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common condition that can disrupt ovulation and affect fertility.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is produced in the ovaries, specifically by the small follicles that support egg development. AMH levels reflect the number of active follicles, which naturally decrease with age. This decrease makes AMH a reliable indicator of the number of eggs remaining in the ovaries.

Yes, it is still possible to conceive naturally with a low AMH level, although it may be more challenging due to a reduced number of remaining eggs. Some individuals with low AMH may become pregnant without difficulty, while others may require fertility support, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF).