Day 3 Fertility Testing
Women who are trying to conceive do not always get a positive pregnancy test as quickly as they may like, and that is completely normal. However, individuals with healthy reproductive systems should experience success within a year of trying. If someone has been unable to conceive within 12 months, it is time to consider a fertility evaluation.
At the Los Angeles Reproductive Center, serving Encino, CA, Bakersfield, CA, Los Angeles, CA, and surrounding areas, we offer fertility testing to evaluate a patient’s reproductive potential. One of the first tests typically recommended for our female patients is day 3 fertility testing. Day 3 fertility testing for women can diagnose female reproductive issues and guide our fertility doctors on how best to proceed with treatment.
Scheduling 3 Day Fertility Testing
As the name indicates, day 3 fertility testing is performed on the third day of a woman’s menstrual cycle. If a woman has an irregular menstrual cycle, it can be difficult to calculate when day three of her cycle will occur. We work with our patients to track their menstrual cycle and get day 3 testing scheduled at the appropriate time.
To get day 3 testing scheduled on the correct day, our patients must be able to recognize when their menstrual cycle starts. Day one of the menstrual cycle is the first day that a woman experiences full menstrual blood flow, not spotting. If full blood flow starts before 5pm, that is considered day one, but if blood flow starts later in the evening, the next day would be considered the first day of the menstrual cycle. As soon as a woman is on day one of her cycle, she should call and schedule her day 3 testing.
What to Expect from the Test
Day 3 fertility testing consists of two parts: bloodwork and an ultrasound. Blood drawn during day 3 testing is used to measure hormone levels that are essential to ovulation, egg health, and the ovarian reserve. Hormones that are measured at day 3 testing include:
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Estradiol/estrogen (E2)
- Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH)
- Inhibin
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
During day 3 testing, we will also perform a transvaginal ultrasound. The ultrasound allows our doctors to measure the ovaries and uterus. Additionally, we can perform an antral follicle count, which counts the number of follicles within each ovary. The more follicles that a woman has, the more eggs that may be produced with ovarian stimulation.
When Can I Get My Results?
Day 3 fertility testing results are typically available shortly after testing, and often on the same day. We generally will schedule day 3 testing to include an overview of the information provided by the bloodwork and ultrasound.
What If My Results Aren’t Normal?
Every woman is different, so what is considered “normal” day 3 testing results for one of our patients may not be the same for another. However, by evaluating day 3 testing results, and considering those alongside the patient’s age and medical history, we can create an appropriate plan moving forward. Depending on what we find, we may recommend further testing, or we may suggest effective fertility treatments.
Contact Us
If you have had trouble becoming pregnant, fertility testing at the Los Angeles Reproductive Center can provide you with invaluable information regarding your reproductive health. To find out if this testing is right for you, reach out to our practice online or call (818) 208-5481 at your earliest convenience.