Relation between Estradiol and infertility

Submitted on March 27, 2012

An estradiol blood test is done to check the level of the estradiol hormone in the blood. This hormone is important for sexual development. It is necessary for the formation of estrogen, and is produced by the ovaries and by the adrenal glands in small amounts, in sexually mature girls. The placenta also produces estrogen during pregnancy.

Estradiol Test

This diagnostic procedure is done along with the Day 3 FSH test to find out the ovarian reserve of a woman. It also confirms the FSH test. Generally done on the third day of the menstrual cycle, the test is a common fertility testing procedure and any woman undergoing a battery of fertility tests will have this test done.

Reasons for estradiol testing

If a girl enters her puberty very early or later, then an estradiol test is done to check the reasons. High levels of estradiol are associated with early puberty, while lower levels can delay sexual development.

The functioning of ovaries can also be determined through estradiol levels. Gynaeproblems such as missing periods and abnormal bleeding can be ascertained through this test. These tests can be done on girls or boys to find out the reason behind the disease or damage to adrenal glands, ovaries or testes.

Evaluation of menopausal symptoms, fertility treatments and progression of a pregnancy can be checked through this test.

Preparation

You do not need any special preparations for this test.

Procedure

This is a usual blood test, where the health professional wraps an elastic band on the upper arm, cleans the site and inserts a needle into the vein to draw blood. The procedure just takes a few minutes. You’ll just feel a sharp sting when the needle is inserted through the vein and you might have a bruise in the place that the needle was inserted. But apart from that there’s nothing to worry about.

Estradiol and infertility

Women with high level of estradiol might have infertility problems. This means that there is a problem with ovarian reserve. High level of estradiol can suppress the FSH level in the body. This leads to an inaccurate Day 3 FSH test or Follicle-stimulating hormone test

Complication with the ovarian reserve and FSH can lead to poor ovulation, lower pregnancy rate, less chances of success with IVF, and bad response to fertility drugs that induce ovulation. This test is often done as part of infertility tests.

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