An Overview of Fertility Tests and What They Mean
Understanding Your Body, One Test at a Time: If you're trying to conceive, or simply planning for the future, you may hear your doctor recommend fertility testing. These tests are designed to give insight into your reproductive health and help..
If you're trying to conceive, or simply planning for the future, you may hear your doctor recommend fertility testing. These tests are designed to give insight into your reproductive health and help identify any issues that could affect your ability to get pregnant. At Reproductive America (RCA), we believe that understanding your fertility is empowering. Here’s a breakdown of the most common fertility tests for women and men, and what their results typically mean.
🧬 Fertility Tests for Women
1. Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)
- What it measures: Ovarian reserve (the number of eggs remaining)
- Normal range: Varies by age, but generally 1.0–4.0 ng/mL
- Why it matters: Higher levels suggest a greater quantity of eggs; low levels may indicate diminished ovarian reserve
2. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) & Estradiol (E2)
- What they measure: Hormonal signals that regulate your cycle
- Test timing: Typically done on day 2–4 of your period
- Why it matters: High FSH or estradiol can suggest poor ovarian response or egg quality
3. Antral Follicle Count (AFC)
- What it measures: The number of small follicles seen on an ultrasound
- Why it matters: Helps estimate ovarian reserve and predict how you’ll respond to fertility treatments like IVF
4. Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
- What it examines: Whether the fallopian tubes are open and the uterus is normal in shape
- Why it matters: Blocked tubes or uterine abnormalities can prevent fertilization or implantation
5. Thyroid and Prolactin Tests
- What they screen for: Hormonal imbalances that can affect ovulation
- Why it matters: Thyroid dysfunction or elevated prolactin can disrupt menstrual cycles
6. Progesterone (Mid-Luteal)
- What it measures: If and when you’re ovulating
- Test timing: About 7 days after suspected ovulation
- Why it matters: Confirms ovulation and can help assess luteal phase health
🧪 Fertility Tests for Men
1. Semen Analysis
- What it measures: Sperm count, motility (movement), morphology (shape), and volume
- Why it matters: A cornerstone of male fertility assessment—abnormal results may suggest the need for further evaluation or treatment
2. Hormonal Panel
- Tests: FSH, LH, testosterone
- Why it matters: Helps identify hormonal imbalances or issues with sperm production
3. Genetic and DNA Fragmentation Tests
- Why it matters: May be recommended for men with repeated IVF failures or unexplained infertility
📈 What Do the Results Mean?
While numbers and acronyms can feel overwhelming, your results are just one piece of a larger picture. At RCA, we review every result in the context of your age, history, and goals.
- Normal results may still require treatment if other factors are involved (age, timing, anatomy).
- Abnormal results don’t mean pregnancy is impossible—they simply guide us toward the most effective options.
🧭 Next Steps: Personalized Fertility Planning
If you’ve already done testing—or are considering it—our team is here to interpret, explain, and build a plan around your results. Whether you need ovulation support, IVF, or third-party reproduction, we’ll walk you through every step.
🧬 Fertility Tests for Women
1. Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)
- What it measures: Ovarian reserve (the number of eggs remaining)
- Normal range: Varies by age, but generally 1.0–4.0 ng/mL
- Why it matters: Higher levels suggest a greater quantity of eggs; low levels may indicate diminished ovarian reserve
2. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) & Estradiol (E2)
- What they measure: Hormonal signals that regulate your cycle
- Test timing: Typically done on day 2–4 of your period
- Why it matters: High FSH or estradiol can suggest poor ovarian response or egg quality
3. Antral Follicle Count (AFC)
- What it measures: The number of small follicles seen on an ultrasound
- Why it matters: Helps estimate ovarian reserve and predict how you’ll respond to fertility treatments like IVF
4. Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
- What it examines: Whether the fallopian tubes are open and the uterus is normal in shape
- Why it matters: Blocked tubes or uterine abnormalities can prevent fertilization or implantation
5. Thyroid and Prolactin Tests
- What they screen for: Hormonal imbalances that can affect ovulation
- Why it matters: Thyroid dysfunction or elevated prolactin can disrupt menstrual cycles
6. Progesterone (Mid-Luteal)
- What it measures: If and when you’re ovulating
- Test timing: About 7 days after suspected ovulation
- Why it matters: Confirms ovulation and can help assess luteal phase health
🧪 Fertility Tests for Men
1. Semen Analysis
- What it measures: Sperm count, motility (movement), morphology (shape), and volume
- Why it matters: A cornerstone of male fertility assessment—abnormal results may suggest the need for further evaluation or treatment
2. Hormonal Panel
- Tests: FSH, LH, testosterone
- Why it matters: Helps identify hormonal imbalances or issues with sperm production
3. Genetic and DNA Fragmentation Tests
- Why it matters: May be recommended for men with repeated IVF failures or unexplained infertility
📈 What Do the Results Mean?
While numbers and acronyms can feel overwhelming, your results are just one piece of a larger picture. At RCA, we review every result in the context of your age, history, and goals.
- Normal results may still require treatment if other factors are involved (age, timing, anatomy).
- Abnormal results don’t mean pregnancy is impossible—they simply guide us toward the most effective options.
🧭 Next Steps: Personalized Fertility Planning
If you’ve already done testing—or are considering it—our team is here to interpret, explain, and build a plan around your results. Whether you need ovulation support, IVF, or third-party reproduction, we’ll walk you through every step.
