Male Fertility

Hormone Evaluation

Hormone evaluations are commonly performed as a part of infertility tests for both male and female. In men, the hormone test involves evaluating the LH (luteinising hormone) levels, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) and particularly on testosterone because it is the primary male hormone.

In women, various tests are done to analyse hormones and ovarian reserve (number of follicles and egg quality etc.). The tests include follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinising hormone(LH), estradiol(E2) hormone, progesterone hormone, and anti-mullerian hormone. In addition, in some cases, the levels of thyroid and prolactin hormones are also evaluated.

FSH, LH and estradiol hormones are the important reproductive hormones in females, typically measured on the 3rd Day of their menstrual cycle. They provide the data of the patient’s ovarian reserves. Generally, an FSH value greater than 12, or the E2 level higher than 80 pg/ml, indicates diminished ovarian reserve. Conversely, a high estrogen level might be a result of an ovarian cyst.

The rise of progesterone hormone is associated with ovulation. High progesterone levels indicate that ovulation has happened. The placenta is responsible for producing progesterone hormone once pregnancy is confirmed. The level of progesterone should be approximately ten ng/ml after a week of ovulation. Usually, saliva is tested to determine the level of progesterone.

Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) is another sensitive test that came into the limelight to test the potential of fertility in women. In the early phases, AMH is involved in the development of follicles in the ovary. The main advantage of this hormone test is it remains relatively constant. The test can be done at any time of the menstrual cycle, even when the woman is taking hormonal medications. AMH levels that are less than 0.3 ng/ml is an indication of low egg production. The chance of conceiving with IVF might be reduced with low AMH compared to healthy women with higher AMH. However, fertility medications can improve the AMH levels.

Women with infertility might have many hormonal problems. For example, particularly raised levels of androgens (male hormones) may result in irregular ovulation. Obese women and those with PCOS are even at more risk.Irregular thyroid hormone levels can also affect fertility. Women with hypothyroidism (low levels) are at risk of irregular ovulation(anovulation), fetal abnormalities, premature labour and early pregnancy loss.Prolactin is an important hormone accountable for producing breast milk in pregnant women. But elevated prolactin(Hyperprolactinemia) in the absence of pregnancy results in irregular or no ovulation. This is a condition caused due to a benign tumour at the bottom of your brain, and it can be treated.