Fertility tests and specialist advice – with no waiting

Fertility tests give you the answers

Knowing more about your fertility can help you to plan or take action.  Speeding up this process can be important for your emotional health especially if you are a woman in your late 30s or older.

Our Fertility Health + Wellbeing Checks provide information that can detect the common causes of male and female infertility, appointments are available now and you will discuss the results  with a fertility specialist consultant.

Some fertility tests are available free on the NHS, but you need to have been trying to conceive for over two years before being referred for testing.  Even once your GP has referred you there can be a waiting list of many months before you will have your first NHS appointment.

Choice of tests

Our Fertility Health + Wellbeing package includes an individual consultation with one of our experienced specialist doctors.

Tests available include: semen analysis, blood tests for ovarian reserve, a scan and private consultation.  It can be completed within about 6 weeks.

The outcome of our male and female fertility tests might be reassurance and peace of mind about your ability to conceive naturally, or we may advise you about lifestyle changes that will increase your chances of achieving a pregnancy. If we identify that treatment or surgical intervention is indicated, we will guide you through your options, with advice and support every step of the way (including options for funding any treatment you might need).

What fertility tests can tell women

Common reasons why women struggle to become pregnant include:

Lack of eggs – a woman’s fertility starts decreasing from the age of 35 and more quickly for those over 40. Between the ages of 45 and 55 women stop releasing eggs altogether; if it happens before this age it is called an early menopause.

Test: A blood test called Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) gives an indication of your egg store and your likely response to medication that is aimed at stimulating the ovaries to release eggs.

Failure to ovulate – Your ovaries may not be releasing eggs (ovulating) regularly. This affects one third of women and it is a common symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) caused by hormone imbalance. Symptoms may include irregular periods and weight gain, but many women have no symptoms.

Test: A simple blood test to check your progesterone hormone levels may indicate ovulatory disorders.

Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes – this affects about 15 in 100 women who haven’t been able to get pregnant.

Test: To check that your tubes are clear and there is no obstruction to an egg moving from the ovary to the womb, we use a HyCoSy ultrasound diagnostic test. A dye is injected into the tube and its progress followed on the ultrascan.

Fibroids or abnormality of the womb – large benign growths called fibroids or other abnormalities of the womb that may stop a fertilised egg from growing in the womb.

Test: we will undertake a vaginal ultrasound scan to check your reproductive health.

What fertility tests can tell a man

A semen test can show if you have one of these common reasons for failure to conceive:

• Too few sperm (low sperm count) or no sperm
• Abnormally shaped sperm, which are unable to move normally or fertilise an egg (poor morphology)
• Sperm that don’t swim well (poor motility)

Test: semen analysis. This is a thorough test performed by our highly skilled embryologists and looks at shape, number and movement of the sperm and also other factors such as anti-bodies or white blood cells that might indicate an immune response or damage.

The results of all your tests will be discussed at a consultation with one of our fertility specialist doctors and the whole process can normally be completed within 4-6 weeks. This offer applies to all patients booking a Fertility Health + Wellbeing at any of our clinics for a limited period.