Plan Ahead Predicts Women's Fertility

Filed in archive Diagnostics, Methodologies and Instrumentation , Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics on January 24, 2007

A fertility predictor test has been developed by fertility experts at Sheffield University, based on the number of eggs in a woman's ovaries, and may thus help women decide how long they can delay trying for a baby. The Plan Ahead test is only available privately for £179 and not on the NHS.

How does it work?

The Plan Aheadâ„¢fertility test kit measures hormones in the blood: inhibin B and AMH, which decline as menopause approaches, as well as FSH, which increases as menopause nears. The levels of these hormones then provides an estimate number of eggs in the ovaries.

However, Clare Brown, chief executive of Infertility Network UK, has been quoted to say that although the test is a valuable test, the test kits may give people false reassurance.

"It is important to realise that whilst Plan Ahead is a valuable test, there are other factors that may cause difficulties in conceiving so it is vital that men and women make sure they are fully informed when making decisions on when to have a family."

Read the full BBC report, or for more information on the Plan Ahead test, see Lifestyle Choices.