Fertility and Pregnancy Rapid Test are performed to detect the FSH, LH and HCG level in urine sample. Fertility rapid test comprises test performed to detect FSH and LH levels; whereas, pregnancy rapid test involves the detection of HCG level in urine. These tests are available over the counter and can be easily performed at home without any expert guidance. Their ease in availability and ability to generate result in minutes, in comparison to clinical laboratory testing makes them popular around the globe.
These hormonal tests are generally performed as preliminary test by women having difficulty in getting pregnant, irregular or absent menstruation cycles, menopause, those suffering from abnormal vaginal or menstrual bleeding, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and among women suffering from pituitary disorders. These tests give vital information to women about their health, fertility, menstrual cycle, ovulation, and egg formation in the ovaries. The inappropriate levels of these hormones lead to lack of pregnancy, chronic infections, ovarian failure, Kilnefilter’s syndrome, Turner’s syndrome, eating disorder, and cancer.
These test can be easily performed using a dipstick/strip, cassette/card or a midstream, which are easily available over the counter and can be purchased through a pharmacist, departmental store and online.
These rapid tests are used as an alternative to blood test, are safe to use, comparatively cheaper, and can be performed by the patient at home. In addition, these tests take less time to reveal the results, in comparison to the urine test performed in laboratories using various reagents.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) produces steroids in females. FSH is produced by pituitary glands and regulates the function of ovaries. The lack or insufficiency of this hormone leads to infertility in females. In women, FSH helps to control the menstrual cycle and production of eggs by the ovaries. The amount of FSH varies throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle and is highest before the egg is released. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) stimulates estrogen and progesterone production from the ovaries. A surge of LH in the mid menstrual cycle is responsible for ovulation, and continued LH secretion subsequently stimulates the corpus luteum to produce progesterone. The abnormal level of LH can lead to inability in conceiving, infertility issues, ovarian failure, chronic infection, cancer and klinefilter, and Turner’s syndrome. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone produced by the placenta and is usually only present in a woman’s body during pregnancy. The presence of this hormone in female’s urine confirms pregnancy.
Some of the factors driving the growth of the global female fertility and pregnancy rapid test market include increase in infertility cases, due to changes in lifestyle with increased consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine. In addition, the growing number of cases with abnormal vaginal bleeding, irregular or absent menses, polycystic ovarian syndrome and pituitary disorders also leads to infertility. In addition, the increasing aging population also contributes to the growth of the global female fertility and pregnancy rapid test market.
However, the high price of midstream, difficulty in result interpretation and availability of alternate treatment for the detection of LH, FSH and HCG level in urine acts as the key restrains in the growth of the global market.
