Babble Connect | Fertility Knowledge Hub
Your fertility journey, better informed. Understand your options, explore common tests and discover when specialist advice may help.
If you're trying to conceive, preparing for fertility treatment, considering egg or sperm freezing, or simply looking to understand your reproductive health, fertility testing can help answer important questions.
Some tests assess hormones and ovulation. Others investigate sperm health, the uterus, fallopian tubes or inherited genetic conditions.
But fertility testing isn't one-size-fits-all. Not everyone needs every test, and some commonly advertised investigations have limited evidence or are only appropriate in specific circumstances.
Ovarian reserve, ovulation, reproductive hormones, uterine anatomy, fallopian tubes and endometriosis-related investigations.
Semen analysis, hormonal assessment, genetic investigations, varicoceles and selected sperm function tests.
Carrier screening, chromosome testing, genetic counselling and relevant inherited-condition testing.
Ovarian stimulation monitoring, embryo genetic testing and investigations considered during fertility treatment.
Uterine anatomy, antiphospholipid syndrome, thyroid assessment and selected genetic investigations.
Estimates ovarian reserve and likely ovarian response to stimulation
When used: IVF planning, ovarian reserve assessment
Counts small ovarian follicles using ultrasound
When used: IVF planning, ovarian reserve assessment
Investigates antiphospholipid syndrome, a possible cause of pregnancy complications
When used: Selected recurrent pregnancy loss investigations
Assesses reproductive hormone patterns, usually early in the menstrual cycle
When used: Selected ovarian function investigations
Detects an infection that can damage fallopian tubes
When used: Preconception care, infertility investigations
Identifies certain chromosome abnormalities
When used: Selected infertility or recurrent miscarriage cases
Checks carrier status for variants associated with cystic fibrosis
When used: Preconception or donor screening
Assesses sperm DNA damage
When used: Selected specialist male fertility investigations
Samples uterine lining tissue to investigate specific suspected conditions
When used: Selected uterine investigations
Specialist ultrasound, MRI or laparoscopy to look for endometriosis
When used: Painful periods, pelvic pain or unexplained infertility
Measures an important reproductive hormone
When used: Cycle assessment and ovarian stimulation monitoring
Assesses whether fallopian tubes appear open
When used: Investigation of possible tubal infertility
Evaluates selected reproductive hormones
When used: Irregular cycles, suspected hormonal disorders
Identifies inherited variants relevant to future children
When used: Preconception planning, donor conception
X-ray investigation of uterine cavity and fallopian tube patency
When used: Tubal infertility investigations
Examines the uterine cavity using a small camera
When used: Suspected polyps, fibroids, adhesions or uterine abnormalities
Tests for infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C
When used: Before assisted reproduction, donation or according to risk
Assesses chromosome number and structure
When used: Selected genetic fertility investigations
Surgical examination of pelvic organs
When used: Selected cases of suspected endometriosis or pelvic pathology
Detects luteinising hormone surges associated with ovulation
When used: Ovulation tracking
Combines markers such as AMH and AFC
When used: Fertility treatment planning
Helps establish whether ovulation has occurred
When used: Irregular cycles or suspected ovulatory problems
Examines the uterus and ovaries
When used: Structural and ovarian assessments
Screens IVF embryos for chromosome copy-number abnormalities
When used: IVF add-on; benefits and limitations require individual discussion
Tests IVF embryos for a specified inherited monogenic condition
When used: Selected IVF cases with known genetic risk
Tests IVF embryos for chromosome imbalances linked to parental structural rearrangements
When used: Selected IVF cases
Measures a hormone that can interfere with ovulation when elevated
When used: Menstrual irregularity or suspected hormonal problems
Targeted assessment of possible contributing factors
When used: After repeated pregnancy losses, according to clinical guidelines
Uses saline and ultrasound to assess the uterine cavity
When used: Suspected polyps, fibroids or cavity abnormalities
Evaluates sperm concentration, motility, morphology and semen volume
When used: First-line male fertility investigation
Assesses hormonal causes of impaired sperm production
When used: Abnormal semen analysis or relevant symptoms
Investigates thyroid dysfunction that may affect reproductive health
When used: Selected infertility, menstrual or pregnancy-related assessments
Detailed imaging of reproductive anatomy
When used: Ovarian, uterine and fertility assessments
Checks for enlarged veins around the testicle
When used: Male infertility evaluation
Investigates certain genetic causes of severely impaired sperm production
When used: Selected severe oligospermia or azoospermia cases
Some investigations are offered during IVF as optional extras. Many have limited evidence that they improve the chance of having a baby. Ask what difference a result would make before paying.
Review the independent evidence first: HFEA Treatment Add-ons guidance
Attempts to identify an individualised embryo transfer window. Evidence does not support routine use for improving live birth rates.
Analyses bacteria in the uterine environment. Clinical usefulness for improving IVF outcomes remains unproven.
May involve endometrial biopsy and tissue assessment where chronic inflammation of the uterine lining is suspected.
Measures natural killer cells in blood or endometrial tissue. Routine testing is not supported for infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss.
Broad immune testing is sometimes marketed for IVF failure or miscarriage, but many panels lack validated clinical utility.
Selected testing may be appropriate based on personal history or specific conditions. Broad inherited thrombophilia screening is not routinely recommended for recurrent miscarriage alone.
Investigates oxidative stress associated with sperm damage; routine clinical usefulness remains uncertain.
Techniques intended to help select sperm for assisted reproduction; evidence varies by method.
Usually involves transvaginal ultrasound, sometimes MRI, when symptoms or fertility history suggest adenomyosis.
A screening blood test during pregnancy for selected chromosomal conditions; not a diagnostic test and not an infertility investigation.
Find fertility clinics and medical experts listed on Babble Connect.
Last reviewed: October 2026 by the Babble Connect editorial team.
This information is for general education only and is not medical advice. Not everyone needs every test, and no single test can determine your fertility. Please discuss your individual results and options with a qualified fertility specialist.
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© 2026 Babble Connect
© 2026 Babble Connect
© 2026 Babble Connect