by Joint research from ActionAid and YouGov revealed that 25% of women in the UK between the ages of 16 and 39 don’t understand periods and the menstrual cycle. More recently, in a national survey from PureGym, it was suggested that more than a third of women do not understand their own menstrual cycles or the biological process.
It was only in 2020 that the UK Government introduced plans for every child in England to be taught about menstrual health in school. Considering the menstrual cycle is pivotal to fertility, it’s shocking that it has taken so long. The World Health Organization states that 1 in 7 couples globally are affected by infertility. The menstrual cycle is directly linked to ovulation and a woman’s fertility and should be a normal part of education. If men and women understand what is considered ‘normal’ they can be more aware of what is abnormal, how to support their own fertility, and when to seek help. Better education of female fertility and other women’s health concerns is the first step to empowering women to take control of their health and their fertility.
The majority of medical research is male-centric and unfortunately the female reproductive system is often overlooked. With this in mind, it is important to educate yourself and have a good understanding of your own body so that you can understand when something isn’t right, allowing you to be an architect of your own health and wellbeing.
Common but not spoken about issues affecting female fertility
Unfortunately, the majority of women (and men) do not even realise that they have issues with their fertility until they have already been trying to get pregnant for at least a year and it is taking longer than expected. Many fertility issues are often silent, meaning that they are not accompanied by any obvious symptoms which means that any problems remain hidden until quite late in conception efforts. However, that being said, there are some health concerns affecting the reproductive system – and in turn, fertility that do have symptoms that can be looked out for.
Polycystic Ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one example. This condition affects a surprisingly large number of women and can directly impact fertility. Some of the symptoms associated with PCOS may not seem to relate to fertility which is perhaps why it is often overlooked. For example, some common symptoms of PCOS include excess hair growth on the face (sometimes also on the back, chest, and buttocks), weight gain around the belly, issues with the skin such as oiliness and acne, hair loss, and irregular periods – though sometimes women with PCOS experience no periods at all.
Another concern affecting the female reproductive system and a woman’s fertility is endometriosis. Many women don’t realise the significance or that it can have a negative impact on fertility. Characterised by very painful periods, heavy bleeding, and pain during sex, endometriosis occurs when cells similar to those lining the uterus grow outside of where they are supposed to. Fertility issues can arise when the endometrial tissue is found around the fallopian tubes and the ovaries because it can result in scar tissue and cause inflammation. If you have any of the above symptoms you should seek guidance from your healthcare professional.
The first step towards being informed, is having reliable information about your own fertility.
At-home fertility tests vs in-clinic testing
How much can fertility testing tell you about your reproductive health? Well, it’s complicated!
There has been increasing growth in at-home fertility testing kits, with most testing companies offering the AMH test to check for Anti-Mullarian Hormone levels which can indicate a woman’s ovarian reserve. It can be tempting to grab a fertility test from your local pharmacy to get an idea of your fertility – especially when testing kits can cost as little as £50. However as straightforward as it may sound, things are not always as they seem and there are downsides to at-home fertility tests.
Pin prick tests can be tricky to get a big enough sample
Finger prick fertility tests can be tricky; it can be difficult to achieve a completely sterile environment to get uncontaminated blood samples, and also to get enough blood for testing. In addition, juggling the postal service and getting it sent off to the relevant laboratory in time can be an added stress. By attending a fertility clinic for your fertility testing a nurse will complete a blood draw and the sample will be sent directly to the laboratory, removing any need for you to post your sample and ensuring a good quality blood sample.
Individual test results without without wider context can be misleading
At-home fertility testing kits are understandably popular because of their low price point. They usually check for either luteinizing hormone or AMH hormone, both of which can be used to indicate fertility levels, however, that isn’t the full picture. Indeed, no fertility test should be used in isolation because there can be other factors at play – physiological issues – that will not show up in these test results. Why is this important? Women may get their AMH test results, and see that they have good AMH levels. Whilst on the surface, this sounds ideal, it can give a false sense of security because they may actually have a problem with their fallopian tubes or with the ovaries that may cause issues with conception and getting pregnant. For this reason, it is best to get your fertility tests at a clinic. Your fertility doctor will provide you with a consultation and will discuss at length your fertility history, your medical health and family history – all important factors that can have an impact on your fertility.
Your fertility doctor may very well order an AMH test, but they may also order other tests to check the health of your reproductive system, and will consider the results alongside everything else and utilise their expertise to give you the most accurate picture of your current fertility status. Although testing at a clinic is more costly, it will give you a more accurate idea of your fertility and reproductive health and put you in a better position to make decisions.
Getting an overview of your reproductive health
Looking for a fertility test for women but aren’t sure where to begin? Start by making initial contact with a fertility clinic near you. Whether you are just wanting to get an idea of your current fertility potential or have already started on your conception journey and are having trouble getting pregnant naturally, your chosen fertility clinic will be able to advise the most appropriate tests for you and your individual situation. After all, we are all individuals and our needs are all different.
