WELL WOMAN
FERTILITY & PRE-PREGNANCY
There are many reasons why some women find it difficult to get pregnant after a year of trying. The Well Woman fertility and pre pregnancy check looks at up to three important hormones: AMH (Anti-Mullerian hormone), FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and prolactin, all of which affect ovary function. As well as giving a general overview of your blood pressure and key body composition readings.
Fertility & Pre-Pregnancy Checks
For just €199 your Standard Package includes:
Blood pressure check for hypertension
z Height
z Weight
z BMI
z Body Fat & Body Fat %
z Visceral Fat
z Total Body Water %
z Muscle Mass
z Bone Mineral Mass
z Basal Metabolic Rate
z Metabolic Age
z Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)
z Personal Fertility Health Report Booklet
For just €379 your Advanced Package includes:
All the checks included in the Standard Package, plus:
z Prolactin
z Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
z 24/7 GP Helpline access (for an entire year)
About the fertility checks
Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH)
AMH is a substance produced from specific cells within a woman's ovaries. Despite having regular menstrual cycles and normal periods, about 10% of women lose their fertility earlier than expected. Although women who have a history of smoking and/or a mother with an early menopause (under the age of 50) are at increased risk; identifying such individuals by screening has proved a challenge.
AMH can help predict whether a woman might have a faster biological clock and may wish to consider starting a family earlier than originally planned. By comparing the results with women of a similar age the AMH test gives an estimate of the 'ovarian reserve'. According to fertility experts AMH is very useful, not only in the diagnosis of low ovarian reserve - if the levels are very low – but if the levels are high this can indicate an underlying problem with polycystic ovarian syndrome, which is another cause for infertility.
Prolactin
Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. Prolactin is usually high throughout pregnancy and just after childbirth as it is linked to breast milk production.
Non-pregnant women will normally have only small amounts of prolactin in their blood. Higher levels might be caused by excess production from the pituitary in addition to certain medications such as some anti-depressants, thyroid problems, kidney disease and eating disorders.
Levels of prolactin that are below normal can also be caused by certain medications in addition to a generally decreased hormone production from the pituitary. Both high and low levels of prolactin in women are associated with infertility.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
FSH is another hormone produced by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. One of its roles is to simulate the growth and development of eggs in the ovaries.
High levels of FSH during the reproductive years are commonly associated with a poor ovarian reserve or a premature menopause. Low levels may be caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome in addition to a generally decreased hormone production from the pituitary. Both these conditions are associated with infertility.
Blood Pressure
Although high or low blood pressure won't necessarily hinder your chances of getting pregnant it can affect your ability to carry a foetus. Therefore we include a simple blood pressure check just to ensure you are aware of any risks from hypertension.
Body composition
Again, your body composition won't necessarily affect your chances of getting pregnant but can affect how well you carry your child. It's generally advised to be of healthy weight and within the normal BMI ranges for your height and weight, if you're looking to get pregnant.