Female and male fertility testing

Ovarian function and reserve tests – sometimes known as an ‘egg count’ – tell us a lot about your fertility.

Women are born with a finite number of eggs that are stored in the ovaries. These are released over time, until the stock runs out (the menopause). The quality of the egg also diminishes as stock levels decline.

To get an accurate picture of your stock of eggs, we carry out a number of blood tests and an ultrasound assessment of your ovaries.

The blood tests measure levels of anti-müllerian hormone (AMH). This provides guidance on the likelihood of natural conception, your potential egg count from fertility treatments, and how well your ovaries are likely to respond to different medication regimes.

The ultrasound assessment tells you how many immature follicles – structures containing potential eggs – are visible in the ovary, giving an estimation of stock levels. While performing this test, we also evaluate any problems or abnormalities in your uterus and its lining, as well as around your reproductive organs.

Semen (sperm) analysis is used to make an assessment of fertility. The main measurements made in such tests include the concentration of sperm and how many are motile (moving as they should), progressive, and normal in shape. If one or more of these measurements is below the normal range, fertility may be impaired.

Semen analysis is a good indicator of male fertility, but it does have its limitations, as it does not disclose how the sperm is likely to interact with eggs. Semen samples are produced by masturbation – either at the clinic in specially designated private rooms or at home – after sexual abstinence of at least two days, but no more than seven.

The outcomes of our male and female fertility checks might give you reassurance and peace of mind about your ability to conceive naturally or they may lead us to advise you about lifestyle changes that could increase your chances of achieving a pregnancy.

We may also recommend further checks, such as a HyCoSy tubal patency test, which uses ultrasound to look for common symptoms such as blocked fallopian tubes. If we identify that treatment or surgical intervention is needed, we will guide you through your options, with advice and support every step of the way.

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We also offer you the choice of conducting some of the testing at home with a test kit. Should you decide on this option, AMH, TSH and semen analysis kits will be sent to you with full instructions on how to conduct the tests and return them to the labs for analysis.*

Your test results will be reviewed by one of our fertility specialist doctors.

*We use Mojo and The Doctors Laboratory to fulfil our at-home tests. When purchasing an at-home kit you authorise us to share your personal contact details.