Reproductive hormones provide important information about a patient’s fertility
Our Southern California fertility clinic is home to experts who help make pregnancy and parenthood possible. Each of our doctors finds that gaining information about a patient’s reproductive hormones is an important step in this process. These hormones play a significant role in a patient’s ability to conceive and carry a healthy pregnancy. If testing reveals abnormalities in a patient’s reproductive hormone levels, our specialists can often fix the problem with certain fertility medications and treatments.
What you need to know about reproductive hormones
One of the first steps that our doctors take when treating a new patient is analyzing a sample of their blood and urine. An analysis of these samples often provides valuable information about the reproductive hormones that play a key role in fertility.
FSH, or follicle stimulating hormone. A woman’s FSH level allows the doctor to assess her ovarian function and egg quality. This is because FSH helps control a woman’s menstrual cycle and stimulates the growth of the eggs in her ovaries.
LH, or luteinizing hormone. LH triggers the release of the egg from an ovary into a fallopian tube and causes the body to produce progesterone.
Progesterone. This reproductive hormone supports the lining of the uterus where the embryo will implant. A healthy uterine lining is vital to the development of a successful pregnancy.
Estradiol. Estradiol is a type of estrogen that the ovarian follicles secrete. It helps with the maturation and release of an egg.
AMH, or anti-Mullerian hormone. Also produced in ovarian follicles, AMH provides information about egg quantity.
Testosterone. This hormone is necessary to produce sperm in the testes.
After assessing a patient’s reproductive hormone levels, a doctor at our Southern California fertility clinic will determine whether the patient needs additional tests. After they have enough information to make a diagnosis, the doctor works with the patient to create a treatment plan.
How we treat hormonal imbalances
If a patient has an imbalance of reproductive hormones, the doctor can often prescribe fertility medications to help restore normal function to the reproductive system.
When a more complex fertility challenge, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is causing the imbalance, the doctor might recommend a treatment like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The doctors at our Southern California fertility clinic work closely with patients as they move through fertility evaluations and treatments. Their goal is to ensure patients receive the care that gives them the best chance of taking home a healthy baby. Contact us for more information about our fertility services.