Tests and evaluation
What the first fertility tests check for each partner, from AMH and ultrasound to HSG and semen analysis, and how to read the results.
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Guides about Tests and evaluation
Hormone blood tests for fertility: what each one shows
Hormone blood tests can show whether ovulation is happening and whether another hormone, such as thyroid or prolactin, may be getting in the way. Several of them depend on the day of your cycle, and each lab has its own normal range, so results need to be read in context.
Reviewed 16 Oct 20265 min read
Pelvic ultrasound and antral follicle count, explained
A transvaginal ultrasound gives a close view of the uterus and ovaries, and can show fibroids, polyps and cysts. Early in the cycle it can also count small follicles, the antral follicle count, which is a rough guide to egg reserve but says nothing about egg quality.
Reviewed 16 Oct 20264 min read
How to tell if you are ovulating
Regular periods are a good first sign that ovulation is happening. Doctors can confirm it with a mid-luteal progesterone blood test or follicle-tracking scans. Home ovulation kits can help with timing, but you do not need them, and temperature charts are not reliable for confirming ovulation.
Reviewed 16 Oct 20265 min read
AMH: what it does and doesn't tell you
AMH is a blood test that gives a rough idea of how many eggs remain in the ovaries. It helps doctors plan treatment, but it does not measure egg quality and is not a prediction of whether you can conceive naturally.
Reviewed 16 Oct 20264 min read
The HSG test: what it checks and what to expect
An HSG is an X-ray test that checks whether the fallopian tubes are open and shows the shape of the inside of the uterus. It takes a few minutes and often causes period-like cramps. It is done after a period and before ovulation, with steps to lower the small risk of infection.
Reviewed 16 Oct 20264 min read
The first fertility tests, for each partner
A first fertility evaluation usually checks three things: whether ovulation is happening, whether the tubes and uterus look healthy, and the sperm. Each test answers a specific question, and none of them predicts whether you will conceive.
Reviewed 16 Oct 20265 min read
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General information
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