---
title: Can inhibin testing diagnose luteal phase deficiency? | Niyora
description: No. In this study, inhibin levels were similar in infertile women with luteal phase defects and fertile women, so inhibin testing does not accurately identify
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/midluteal-immunoreactive-alpha-inhibin-serum-concentrations-as-markers-of-luteal-1996/
---

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- Can inhibin testing diagnose luteal phase deficiency?

Cohort study, 1996

# Can inhibin testing diagnose luteal phase deficiency?

No. In this study, inhibin levels were similar in infertile women with luteal phase defects and fertile women, so inhibin testing does not accurately identify luteal phase problems.

 Moderate study design

138 women attending an infertility clinic and 15 fertile women requesting contraception

## What they did

In a prospective cohort study, 138 infertile women and 15 fertile women underwent testing in the same menstrual cycle. Researchers measured hormones including inhibin in the middle of the luteal phase and performed an endometrial biopsy to check if the uterine lining was developing normally.

## What they found

Abnormal endometrial development was detected in 15 of the 138 infertile patients. Midluteal inhibin, progesterone, estradiol, and prolactin levels were similar in three groups: infertile women with luteal defects, infertile women with normal endometria, and fertile women. Hormone levels did not accurately reflect whether the endometrium was maturing properly.

## What it means for you

Testing inhibin levels does not accurately diagnose luteal phase defects and is not better than progesterone testing. While this study focused on fertility rather than PMS treatment, it is still useful because it shows doctors which tests are not helpful. This was a negative result, meaning the test the authors hoped would work did not.

138

infertile women studied

15

fertile women controls

15

abnormal endometrial biopsies

## About the study

Original title Midluteal immunoreactive alpha-inhibin serum concentrations as markers of luteal phase deficiency Authors Balasch J, Creus M, Fábregues F et al. Journal Human reproduction (Oxford, England) Year 1996 Study design Cohort study Participants 138 What was tested None; this was an observational study measuring hormone levels and biopsies Read the paper [doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a019175](https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a019175)

## Topics

[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)

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