HORMONES & FERTILITY5 Hormonal Aspects of Infertility

CDC reports 22% of women have trouble getting pregnant

Causes include: - 21% anovulation - 14% tubal damage- 6% endometriosis

Overall, 28% of cases were unexplained

| www.zrtlab.com

There are 5 key hormonal aspects to infertility

1. Ovarian insufficiency – as follicles fall, estrogen is still produced but ovulation does not occur

2. Luteal phase deficiency – ovulation may occur but progesterone levels are insufficient to sustain pregnancy

3. PCOS – polycystic ovarian syndrome most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age

4. Thyroid deficiency – also implicated as a cause of infertility

5. Stress – High or low cortisol levels can affect the ability to conceive

Women with infertility also tend to experience monthly hormone changes, such as . . .

- High FSH level on Day 3 – follicular phase – reflects ovarian insufficiency

- Low estradiol & progesterone on Day 21 could indicate low egg reserve

- High estradiol & low progesterone in luteal phase indicates non-ovulation

- High testosterone + DHEA-S with high LH relative to FSH points to PCOS

Learn more by viewing an educational webinar on Fertility & Hormones

Delivered by Dr. Alison McAllister