You may have seen ads for the First Response Fertility Test
Here is what I could dig up.
The Basics:
- It costs about $25 for two tests
- Must be done on day 3 of your cycle
- It tests a woman's FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) level, a sign of egg quality and quantity, a leading indicator of fertility. FSH helps regulate your cycle and signals the ovaries to ovulate.
- You are born will all your eggs and each month an age matures in preparation for ovulation. With each month, the number of good eggs and fertility decreases.
- Hold one of the sticks in your urine for 5 seconds and then wait 30 minutes for results
- Shouldn't be used by pregnant woman or woman going through IVF or on the pill. PCOS will affect results too.
- First Response claims the test is 95% accurate
Results:
- If your ovarian reserve (eggs) is low in quantity or quality, your FSH level (early in the cycle) will be higher than normal because you are producing more FSH to try and stimulate your ovaries to produce a mature egg. This means your fertility potential is below normal.
- To determine your results, you need to compare the test line to the control line
- If your control line is darker than your test line, FSH levels are normal
- If your contol line is lighter than your test line or the lines are similar color, FSH levels are high and you may have more trouble getting pregnant. In this instance call your doctor to set up further testing. This does not mean you can't or won't get pregnant, but it might be good to get yourself checked out.
My take on the test-
I haven't taken it but the price seems right. It is cheaper than getting a Day 3 FSH test at the doctor. My concern is only that if you did get a negative result, you might jump to the conclusion that you can't have kids and that isn't the case. Also, this only tests one aspect of fertility, FSH levels. It doesn't look at prolactin, thyroid levels, progesterone, and physical issues like cysts, fibroids, or determine if you are ovulating, but it is a good starting point. I have heard from people that use it that it brings them a sense of relief when the get good test results.
Oh no, now I'm going to be running out and getting this if I'm not pregnant by the next cycle. I think whenever I saw it in the store, I just assumed it was another type of ovulation predictor kit. I wanted to ask you what you know about exercise, specifically running, and luteal phase defects. My LP is about 8-9 days, and I run about 20 mile a week and recently read that the running could be causing the short LP. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda- if I hadn't been tested for everything known to procreaters everywhere I would buy this too and freak out for 30 minutes.
ReplyDeleteAs for the running, I am on the fence. They say if you have been doing something, no reason not to keep doing it. My doctor said this to me too. But I do have a friend of a friend that has never been pregnant and the fertility doctor told her to stop running (she was an avid runner, good shape) and not do anything but walking and yoga. That was back in Feb and she still isn't pregnant. So the running wasn't her issue.
My reflexologist thinks it is all about balance, so fine if you have always been a runner, but don't start training for a triatholon. Have you tried B6 yet? This is my first month monitoring ovulation since March, so we will see what effect it has had. I take 100mg a day (was taking 50 until the start of this month when my bottle ran out and I got a higher dose) plus the amount in my pre-natal which is around 36mg.
I am going to have my progesterone level checked 7dpo (low progesterone causes LPD). Based on that you can treat two ways: supplement progesterone right after ovulation the next month or clomid. Most docs won't just give you clomid, you would likely need an HSG and you man would need to be tested.
Actually it says that if your test line is lighter then control line or not there at all then you are within normal range. But if it is the same color or darker you have elevated FSH levels. I am sorry for correcting you but I feel that it should be pointed out.
ReplyDeleteeka, herbal is a must take by any woman trying to get pregnant. I was devastated and so was my husband after being told by my fertility specialist at age 38 that I had no option but to consider adoption or donor eggs (according to my doctor I was out of eggs and gave me 4% chance of getting pregnant and a 2% chance of carrying a baby to full term). After much research and dozens of hours reading infertility related articles and posts online, I have found your email (dreka14demons@gmail.com)! I never believed in anything alternative to western medicine and thought all the other stuff like Chinese medicine was a hoax. But I was soon glad to be wrong as I followed your the guidelines given to me as soon as you cast on me pregnancy spell and send to me your natural herbals. After one month of trying I became pregnant and had a beautiful healthy boy. Nine months after that I did everything you told me again and after 2 months of trying I got pregnant again and gave birth to another perfect little boy. I would recommend anyone with an open mind to contact eka on (dreka14demons@gmail.com). It just might be the answer to your prayers. Thank you for everything you have done for me, EKA!"
ReplyDelete