Women in their 30s and early 40s have new options for gauging whether they’re still fertile: Doctor’s-office and at-home tests supposedly can estimate the number of viable eggs in their ovaries. There is a booming market for this kind of ovarian-reserve testing. In the United Kingdom, a private company associated with the University of Sheffield is even selling a mail-in blood test (it’s not yet available in the United States).
How they work: The U.K. test and also some U.S. fertility-clinic tests measure levels of Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and other substances called inhibin B and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which are present when egg-producing follicles are growing. Higher hormone levels suggest more fertility. Another test uses ultrasound to count the follicles with developing eggs. And the most common test measures FSH along with one form of estrogen. These tests, individually or in combination, may be able to tell if your ovaries are functioning normally.
Experts say: All this science has some flaws. Knowing that your ovaries are still working isn’t the same as knowing how many viable eggs you have—or predicting the future. Even positive results don’t mean you can count on a big window. At the same time, negative results don’t mean you’re out of luck.
“These tests can’t tell you the prognosis a year from now,” says Marcelle Cedars, MD, director of the reproductive endocrinology division at the University of California, San Francisco. “I’d hate to see people make important life decisions based on the results.”
Bottom line: Ultimately, age is still the most important factor when it comes to fertility prediction, says Mark Perloe, MD, medical director of Georgia Reproductive Specialists in Atlanta. If you’re in your early 40s, the odds are against getting pregnant without help, no matter what the tests say. The odds are much better in your late 30s or younger. In short, the tests may be encouraging or discouraging, but they cannot accurately determine how much time you’ve got left for motherhood.
By Melanie Haiken
Comments (3)
im 49 an 2 years ago the dr. said i only had a few eggs left i want a baby but cant afford fertility dr.,s wat can i do?my boyfriend is 25 an only has one child we want to have our own baby please help.i dont no wen i ovulate an my period isnt normal wat can i do to get pregnant????
i have a 19 month old son and just had a misscarage that really upset me i am42 years old and scared i want a baby and would like to know what are my chances
What the hell happened to adoption? Sheesh if you’re 35, retire that uterus and adopt a baby. So many out there in need of a home.