Key takeaways: The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of our throats Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is made in the pituitary gland in our brains and tells our thyroid gland what to do The thyroid releases important hormones like thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which have important roles in our metabolism, growth and (of course) our menstrual cycles These hormones can get out of balance and when we…
Can I test my hormones and fertility if I’m using contraception?
Read moreKey takeaways: There are 17 different types of contraception including hormonal and non-hormonal options. Hormonal contraception works by altering your natural hormone levels to either prevent ovulation and/or bring about bodily changes that discourage pregnancy. Non-hormonal contraception doesn’t alter your hormone levels and prevents pregnancy using a different set of methods. If you’re using hormonal, or non-hormonal contraception, you can still take a Hertility Hormone and Fertility test, but your…
Prolactin 101: Everything you need to know about prolactin
Read moreKey takeaways Prolactin is an important hormone that has roles all around the body and within the reproductive system Prolactin has a well-established role within breast growth and breast milk production during and after pregnancy Prolactin imbalances can interfere with our menstrual cycles and ovulation, impacting our fertility and chances of conceiving Testing our prolactin regularly with a hormone and fertility test can help us get to the bottom of…
Research News: Fertility Preservation Outcome Study in Cancer Patients
Read moreRecent research conducted by some of our Hertility Team, led by one of our co-founders Dr Natalie Getreu, has been published in the Fertility and Sterility Journal. Fertility can be affected by cancer and cancer treatment to such an extent that women may have reduced family planning options once they’ve completed their treatment. Although, records of the success of fertility preservation methods in cancer patients are not routinely collected by…
What is AMH and what can AMH testing tell me?
Read moreKey takeaways Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is a hormone produced by the follicles in our ovaries. It is produced by the follicles that house our eggs, so testing our AMH levels can help to determine the number of eggs we have left—our ovarian reserve. Along with our ovarian reserve, our AMH levels naturally decline with age after our mid 20s. High AMH levels and low AMH levels can both impact our…
My sample came back as haemolysed, what now?
Read moreKey takeaways With any type of blood collection, haemolysed samples can happen This is when the red blood cells burst or break down, meaning your sample is damaged and can not be analysed We will always contact you to let you know if your sample comes back haemolysed, and will offer a second kit free of charge to redo your test Check out our tips on how to take your…
Oestrogen 101: Everything you need to know about Oestrogen
Read moreKey takeaways There are lots of different types of oestrogen, but the main one in women and those assigned-female-at-birth is oestradiol (E2) E2 plays a big role in regulating our menstrual cycles, fertility, libido, skin health, heart health and bone density Our oestrogen levels fluctuate throughout our menstrual cycles and also naturally decline with age Imbalances in oestrogen levels are common and can be due to various underlying health conditions,…
Why should you test your hormones?
Read moreFirst, let’s get back to basics… What even are hormones? Put simply, hormones are small chemical messengers that travel through the blood to different parts of your body. They help control many different functions from growth and development to metabolism (how your body gets energy from the food you eat), menstrual cycles, fertility and mood, just to name a few! Hormones are made by special cells in a network of…
Being a 21st Century Employer – Supporting Women Through Menopause
Read moreMenopause is a reproductive life stage for any woman when they can no longer conceive and stop having periods. This period (and perimenopause that comes before) is associated with different symptoms, such as hot flushes, trouble sleeping, low mood and anxiety, which can often be disruptive to their daily lives. Why should employers care about menopause? Over 12 million women and gender diverse people at the workplace in the UK…
Why should reproductive health be a part of your mental health benefits?
Read moreCOVID-19 and the shift to remote working has catalysed the demand for mental health benefits – it is now a “must have” for employers in 2021. In fact, in a recent survey, 91% of respondents stated that a company’s culture should support mental health. It is no coincidence that mental well-being is included in how reproductive health is defined by the World Health Organisation, stating that “Reproductive health is a…