Fertility tests — what to expect
Reviewed by the My London Pharmacy clinical team, Trishla Shah, Pharmacist Independent Prescriber
·29 July 2026
·8 min read
Quick answer
Fertility tests help build a picture of reproductive health for women and men. They can include hormone checks, ovarian reserve markers and semen analysis. No single test gives a complete answer, so results are best understood together and reviewed by a clinician alongside your circumstances.
What fertility testing involves
Fertility testing brings together a set of checks that help build a picture of reproductive health. For couples or individuals thinking about having a baby, testing can offer reassurance, help explain difficulties conceiving, or simply provide information to guide planning and decision-making. Fertility involves both partners, so tests may be relevant for women and for men, and looking at both together usually gives the fullest picture rather than focusing on one person alone.
It is important to understand from the outset that no single test provides a complete answer. Fertility depends on many factors working together, and tests give useful pieces of the picture rather than a definitive prediction of whether or when conception will happen. Results are most meaningful when considered as a whole and interpreted by a clinician who knows your circumstances, your age and your history. Approaching testing with this in mind helps set realistic expectations and makes the whole process feel more manageable and less like a pass-or-fail exam.
When to consider fertility testing
A common question is how long to try for a baby before thinking about tests. General UK guidance suggests that most couples having regular unprotected sex will conceive within a year, and testing is often considered after around a year of trying without success. If the woman is in her late thirties or older, or there are known reasons that might affect fertility — such as irregular or absent periods, a history of pelvic infection, previous cancer treatment, or a known problem affecting sperm — it can be sensible to seek advice sooner rather than waiting the full year.
Testing is not only for people who are struggling to conceive. Some choose to check aspects of their reproductive health earlier, for reassurance or to inform planning, particularly if they are thinking about delaying trying for a family. There is no single right moment; what matters is that testing answers a question that is genuinely useful to you. A clinician can help you decide whether now is a helpful time to test, or whether continuing to try with some general advice is the more reasonable step.
Common fertility tests for women
For women, fertility-related checks often focus on hormones and the reproductive system. These may include:
- Hormones linked to the menstrual cycle, which help assess whether and when ovulation is occurring.
- Markers of ovarian reserve, which give an indication of the number of eggs remaining, though they do not measure egg quality or guarantee conception.
- Thyroid function and other general markers, as broader health can influence fertility and the chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Because many of these hormones change across the menstrual cycle, some tests need to be taken on particular days for the results to be meaningful. A clinician can advise on the right timing for each check and explain what the different markers can and cannot tell you, so the results you receive are as useful as possible. Ultrasound scanning is sometimes used alongside blood tests to look at the ovaries and womb, and may be arranged where it would add helpful information.
Common fertility tests for men
For men, the main investigation is usually semen analysis, which looks at aspects of sperm such as the number present, how well they move, and their shape. This gives helpful information about one important part of fertility. Because results can vary between samples for all sorts of everyday reasons, such as a recent illness, a high temperature or stress, a test is sometimes repeated after a period of time to build a clearer and more reliable picture rather than relying on a single sample.
Hormone tests, including testosterone and related markers, may also be considered depending on symptoms and the results of a semen analysis. As with women's testing, findings are interpreted alongside overall health, lifestyle and history rather than viewed in isolation. A clinician can explain what any result means for you and whether anything further would be worth doing, so that a result outside the usual range prompts sensible next steps rather than unnecessary alarm.
Timing, preparation and what to expect
Preparation depends on the specific test. For cycle-related hormone tests in women, the day of the cycle can be important, so you may be advised to test at a particular point, often in the first few days of your period or around the middle of the cycle depending on the marker. For semen analysis, men are usually asked to follow simple guidance beforehand, such as a short period without ejaculation, to give a representative sample.
The tests themselves are generally straightforward. Most hormone checks involve a routine blood sample, while semen analysis involves providing a sample that is then examined in a laboratory. Knowing what to expect in advance can make the process feel more comfortable and less daunting, and a clinician or pharmacist can explain the practical steps and any preparation you need for your particular tests, as well as answer any questions with discretion. Being clear about how and when results will be shared also helps reduce the anxiety of waiting.
Understanding your results
Fertility test results are reported against reference ranges and interpreted in context. It is worth remembering that these tests indicate likelihood and provide information rather than certainty. A result within the expected range does not guarantee conception, and a less favourable result does not necessarily mean it will not happen, as many people conceive despite results that look less than ideal on paper.
This is why professional interpretation is so important. A clinician can bring the different results together, take account of your age, history and circumstances, and explain what the findings suggest and what the possible next steps might be. They can also advise whether a test should be repeated or whether referral for more specialist assessment would be helpful. Reviewing results with support helps avoid both undue worry and false reassurance, and ensures you understand what the numbers do and do not mean for you as an individual or a couple.
How age affects fertility and testing
Age is one of the most significant influences on fertility, particularly for women, and it is worth understanding how it interacts with testing. Fertility gradually declines with age as both the number and the quality of eggs reduce, and this decline tends to become more noticeable from the mid-thirties onwards. Importantly, tests of ovarian reserve give an indication of egg numbers but cannot measure egg quality, which is closely tied to age — so a reassuring reserve result does not cancel out the effect of age, and a lower result does not mean conception is impossible.
For men, age has a more gradual effect, though sperm quality can also change over time. Because age shapes how results should be read, a clinician always interprets fertility tests in the context of how old you are and your wider circumstances. This helps set realistic expectations and, where relevant, ensures that any decisions about timing or seeking further assessment are considered in good time rather than left too late.
Lifestyle, wellbeing and fertility
Alongside testing, it is worth knowing that everyday factors can influence fertility for both partners. General health, weight, smoking, alcohol, stress and sleep can all play a part, and looking after your wellbeing supports your overall reproductive health. Simple, sustainable changes are more helpful than dramatic ones, and they benefit your health more broadly too, whatever the outcome of any test.
Trying to conceive can also be an emotional experience, and it is completely normal to find the process stressful at times. Support, clear information and a calm, unhurried approach all help. A clinician can offer practical guidance on healthy habits that may support fertility, and signpost further support where it would be useful, so that testing sits within a broader, reassuring picture of your health rather than becoming a source of pressure in itself.
Getting tested and next steps
If you are considering fertility testing, a good first step is talking through your situation and what you hope to learn. This helps ensure the tests chosen are relevant, timed correctly and likely to give useful information for you as an individual or a couple, rather than raising questions without clear answers or generating results that are hard to interpret.
Once results are available, having them explained clearly and sensitively is the most valuable part of the process. The My London Pharmacy team can discuss your circumstances with care and discretion, help you understand your results, and support you in deciding what to do next, whether that is reassurance, a repeat test, or a conversation about further assessment or referral.
Frequently asked questions
What do fertility tests involve?
They can include hormone checks and ovarian reserve markers for women, and semen analysis for men. No single test gives a complete answer, so results are considered together.
Do fertility tests need to be timed?
Some do. Certain hormone tests for women depend on the day of the menstrual cycle, and men are usually given simple guidance before a semen analysis. A clinician can advise on timing.
Can a fertility test tell me if I will be able to conceive?
No. Tests indicate likelihood and provide information rather than certainty. A result in the expected range does not guarantee conception, and a less favourable one does not rule it out.
Should both partners be tested?
Often yes, as fertility involves both partners. Testing for women and men together helps build a fuller picture, which a clinician can interpret alongside your circumstances.
How long should we try before getting tested?
Most couples conceive within a year, so testing is often considered after around a year of trying. Seek advice sooner if you are older or have known reasons that may affect fertility.
Do lifestyle factors affect fertility?
They can. General health, weight, smoking, alcohol, stress and sleep may all play a part for both partners, and looking after your wellbeing supports your overall reproductive health.