Whether you’re looking to start a family now or in the future, or are just curious to know more about your reproductive health, fertility testing is the place to start. 

Fertility testing looks at the various factors that control your ability to conceive, giving you more insight into your reproductive health.  

To help you better understand what’s involved, we’re taking a look at when you should have your fertility tested, what tests are done and how best to do it. 

Why you should test your fertility now

We ran a survey asking 395 people, aged 25 to 36, about their fertility – 41% of them had never thought about having their fertility checked.

Checking up on your reproductive health sooner rather than later helps you make important decisions at earlier stages in your fertility journey.

For example, fertility testing may influence your family planning timeline. You may discover that your egg reserve is plentiful and can feel comfortable about delaying having a baby, or you may find out that your egg reserve is quite low and you should not wait any longer. Unfortunately, there is not yet a test that can measure egg quality, so we are left with using the woman’s age as the best indicator. Fertility preservation is a wonderful option for those who are not yet ready to start a family.  

What tests are involved? 

Male and female fertility tests give you an in-depth look at your fertility. Anyone in any sort of relationship can have their fertility checked, as can single men and women.

For heterosexual couples looking to understand their combined fertility, it’s important that you do your tests around the same time.

Fertility testing for women

Female fertility tests look at the factors that can affect your fertility, helping to assess your chances of becoming pregnant, whether naturally or through IVF. Fertility testing for women includes… 

Blood tests - These help to give an accurate picture of your overall hormonal health and will also measure AMH levels to assess your ovarian reserve.

Pelvic ultrasound scan - This scan evaluates the health of the female reproductive organs. 

Fertility testing for men

Fertility testing is much quicker and less invasive for men than it is for women.

Male fertility testing includes…

Full semen analysis - This test helps evaluate sperm quality by measuring the concentration, movement and shape of sperm. 

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Where to get your fertility tested

There are a few ways you can have your fertility tested: through your primary care provider or a fertility clinic, or with an at-home testing kit. Important factors to consider when choosing the best testing option for you are the cost, availability, accuracy, and convenience.

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At home

More and more people are using at-home fertility testing kits, because they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to do. 

Although they don’t cost as much as clinic tests and can be done at a time that’s convenient for you, the test results may not be as accurate or comprehensive. It’s also important to remember that many at-home testing companies don’t offer follow-up consultations, and that certain tests, like pelvic ultrasound scans, are only available in a clinical setting.

At a fertility clinic, OB/GYN, or primary care doctor’s office

Fertility clinics offer all the tests you need to get a complete picture of your reproductive health. As part of the process, you’ll always have your results interpreted and delivered to you by a fertility specialist. Although fertility testing may be the most expensive, it’s likely the quickest and most accurate option if you’re considering treatment.

Many primary care doctors offer fertility testing options in-house, but if your results reveal a concern, you’ll be referred to a fertility clinic for further investigation and treatment. If you already have a relationship with a primary care doctor you like, it can be a good place to start.

How much does fertility testing cost?

It’s always important to check which tests are included in your package. You want to make sure you’re getting all the information you need to make informed decisions moving forward. 

Clinics may offer individual tests or packages, so pricing varies. Generally, comprehensive fertility testing at a private clinic costs a few hundred dollars. While your coverage and out-of-pocket cost depends on your health insurance policy, most diagnostic and preliminary blood tests are covered as part of your consultation at a fertility clinic. 

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