Patient's question:
When should reproductive endocrine tests be conducted during the menstrual period? Can I eat before the test? How long does it usually take to get the results?I had my period on November 8th last month. When should I go for the test?
Thank you all!!
Doctor's answer:
Sex hormone testing involves fasting blood draw on days 3-5 of the menstrual cycle (during menstruation) for the six-item sex hormone test. The choice to perform the six-item sex hormone test on days 3-5 of the menstrual cycle is because hormone levels at this time correspond to the basic follicular phase. Checking on the second day of the menstrual cycle is not advisable, as many women experience only minimal vaginal bleeding on days 1-2 of their period, indicating that hormone levels from the luteal phase have not significantly decreased, leading to large errors. In contrast, days 3-5 of the menstrual cycle are stable and free of error.