What tests are done to check ovarian function?

The ovary is one of the female reproductive organs. It has two main functions. One is the endocrine function, which determines the female's menstrual condition. Another function is ovulation. Every girl who wants to be a mother must protect her ovaries. Its health is a prerequisite for women to have children. In order to understand whether their ovaries have fertility levels, women need to undergo ovarian function tests. The following are some of the ovarian function tests.

What does ovarian function test include?

1. Gynecological Ultrasound

To evaluate the ovaries, transvaginal ultrasound is the first choice. For women who are not sexually active (such as adolescent patients with polycystic ovary syndrome), anal ultrasound can be an option. When evaluating ovarian function, transvaginal ultrasound can be performed at any time during the menstrual cycle, but the most accurate reflection of ovarian "inventory" is around the third day of menstruation.

2. Basic hormones

Women's sex hormones change cyclically, and we usually choose to test them on the 2nd to 5th day of menstruation. For those who have infrequent menstruation or have been amenorrhea for 3-6 months, and whose B-ultrasound shows that the follicle is smaller than 1cm, direct testing can be performed.

The six sex hormones are follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen (E2), progesterone (P), androgen (T), and prolactin (PRL). The first three items can reflect the age of the ovaries, while the other items reflect other endocrine conditions in the female body.

3. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)

The discovery of anti-Mullerian hormone can more sensitively and accurately reflect the reserve function of the ovary. AMH can reflect the beginning of ovarian function decline when FSH, E2 and B-ultrasound examinations have not changed yet, and its detection timing is relatively convenient and can be detected at any time during the menstrual cycle.

Ovarian function test methods

1. The reproductive ovulation function of the ovaries.

If your menstruation is regular, about 14-15 days from the first day of your period each month, you will find that your leucorrhea becomes clear and transparent, like egg white, and can be stretched into sticky threads. This is a symptom of ovulation. If the leucorrhea changes periodically and has no odor or abnormal color, it means that the ovaries are functioning well.

2. Endocrine function of the ovaries.

A menstrual cycle of about 28 days (no more than 1 week earlier or later) is normal. When you have your period, you should pay attention to the amount of menstrual blood, the color of the menstrual blood, whether there are blood clots, whether there is any odor, etc. These are important indicators to determine whether the menstruation is normal.

3. Do endocrine hormone test. On the 3rd to 5th day of menstruation, a blood test to check the level of follicle-stimulating hormone can help diagnose whether there is ovarian dysfunction and premature ovarian failure. If the value is greater than 10iu/L, it indicates ovarian dysfunction. If it is greater than 40iu/L, it indicates that ovarian function is basically exhausted.