Free FSH & E2 Fertility Testing for Women in October

"What's Your Fertility Number?" October's National Infertility Awareness Week Brings Attention to Age's Role in Female Infertility with FSH & E2 Testing

Fertility Center of Las Vegas offers free female infertility testing during month of October

LAS VEGAS, NV – Despite the fact that over 7.3 million Americans will contend with infertility this year alone—the inability to get pregnant after one year of trying—many individuals are still unaware of the disease’s prevalence or ways to mitigate risks. During National Infertility Awareness Week, October 19, 2008 - October 25, 2008, Dr. Bruce Shapiro and Dr. Said Daneshmand of Fertility Center of Las Vegas want to educate all people about infertility, especially women. Consequently, they are offering free FSH and E2 testing during the month of October for women.

According to Dr. Shapiro, “While infertility affects men and women equally, a woman’s reproductive potential is more sensitive to time.  One of the primary ways to test female fertility is through a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in conjunction with an E2 blood test on day three of her menstrual cycle. These tests essentially identify if the ovaries have an adequate egg supply.” When a woman goes into menopause she is basically running out of eggs in her ovaries. The brain senses the loss of eggs and thus the hormone estrogen, so it releases more FSH in an attempt to stimulate the ovaries to produce a mature egg.

“A woman with elevated FSH and E2 levels may have a significant decrease in both the quality and quantity of eggs in her ovaries,” notes Dr. Daneshmand who adds, “Women are born with 1-3 million oocytes (immature eggs) at birth and that number declines to 300 thousand at the time of her first menstrual cycle. Both egg quality and quantity decrease with age, especially after age 34.”

As reproductive specialists, Drs. Shapiro and Daneshmand see the consequence of declining fertility daily but there are options if patients are informed early. Says Dr. Daneshmand, “Fifteen percent of females may experience a more rapid decline in the number and quality of eggs, as soon as even the mid- to late-20’s. Consequently, its imperative to assess ovarian reserve through FSH and E2 testing if conception is or will be desired.”

The sooner a woman knows her “fertility number’ the more options she will have with regard to her reproductive options. These include egg and/or embryo cryopreservation or freezing. Either of these techniques allows an opportunity for future biologic offspring even if the present situation is not conducive to having a family.

Both Drs. Shapiro and Daneshmand are offering free FSH and E2 testing during the month of October for women ages 25 to 40 so that they can know their “fertility number.” Appointments for the free FSH and E2 testing are necessary and can be made in advance by calling the Fertility Center of Las Vegas at 702-254-1777.