All about Male and Female Fertility Tests

Fertility describes the ability to conceive and have a pregnancy, while infertility describes difficulty becoming pregnant despite regular unprotected sex. Fertility problems can affect either partner, and there are many possible causes.

Contents

• What are fertility and infertility?
• Understanding fertility tests
• When to seek help about fertility
• Fertility testing with a healthcare professional
• Testing fertility at home
• Male fertility tests
• Female fertility tests
• What home fertility tests cannot tell you
• Conclusion

What Are Fertility and Infertility?

Fertility is affected by a wide range of factors in both women and men. Difficulties conceiving may be associated with age, ovulation problems, sperm production or quality, damage to the reproductive system, certain medical conditions, previous treatments or sometimes no obvious cause at all.

For women, possible causes can include ovulation disorders, blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Age is also an important factor because female fertility generally declines as a woman gets older.

For men, fertility problems can be associated with sperm count, sperm movement or sperm quality, as well as blockages or other problems affecting the reproductive system.

Sometimes fertility problems involve both partners, which is why a medical fertility assessment will usually consider both people rather than assuming the problem lies with one partner.

Trying to conceive without success can also be emotionally difficult. If you are worried about your fertility, speaking to a GP can help you understand what testing or support may be appropriate.

Understanding Fertility Tests

There is no single test that can determine whether somebody is fertile or infertile. Different fertility tests look at different aspects of reproductive health.

For men, a laboratory semen analysis can assess sperm concentration, movement and other characteristics. Home male fertility tests may provide an initial indication of sperm concentration, but they do not assess every factor that can affect male fertility.

For women, fertility investigations may include hormone blood tests and, where appropriate, ultrasound scans or other investigations. Some home female fertility tests measure follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), but an FSH result on its own cannot diagnose infertility.

Home testing can therefore provide useful preliminary information, but an unexpected result should normally be discussed with a healthcare professional.

When to Seek Help About Fertility

If you have been having regular unprotected sex and have not conceived after one year, the NHS recommends speaking to your GP. You should seek advice sooner if the woman is aged 36 or over, or if either partner already has a reason to be concerned about their fertility.

Reasons to seek advice earlier can include previous cancer treatment, a history of certain sexually transmitted infections, known reproductive health conditions or other circumstances that may affect fertility.

You can find more information about fertility assessment in the NHS guidance on diagnosing infertility.

Fertility Testing with a Healthcare Professional

When you speak to a GP or fertility specialist, they may ask about your general health, medical history and how long you have been trying to conceive.

Questions may cover:

• Any medicines you currently take or have taken in the past.
• Previous illnesses, medical conditions or surgery.
• Smoking, alcohol and recreational drug use.
• How long you have been trying to conceive.
• The frequency and timing of sexual intercourse.
• Previous pregnancies or fertility treatment.
• Your menstrual cycle, where relevant.
• Your sexual health history.

Depending on your circumstances, further investigations may be recommended. These can include semen analysis for men and hormone tests, ultrasound scans or other investigations for women.

If you have already used a home fertility test, it can be useful to tell your healthcare professional about the result, but a home test should not be considered a substitute for a clinical fertility assessment.

Testing Fertility at Home

Home fertility tests can be a convenient way to look at specific aspects of fertility before or alongside medical advice. Male and female home tests measure different things, so it is important to understand exactly what a particular test can and cannot tell you.

A result within the expected range does not guarantee fertility, while an unexpected result does not necessarily mean that you are infertile. Fertility depends on several factors that cannot all be assessed using a single home test.

Male Fertility Tests

Male home fertility tests commonly assess sperm concentration in a semen sample. Sperm concentration is one important part of male fertility assessment, but it is not the only one.

A laboratory semen analysis can provide a more detailed assessment, including factors such as sperm movement and other semen characteristics. If a home test produces an unexpected result, or you have been trying to conceive without success, speak to your GP.

Female Fertility Tests

Some female home fertility tests measure follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH plays an important role in the menstrual cycle and the development of eggs within the ovaries.

However, an FSH result alone cannot tell you whether you are fertile or infertile. Fertility assessment may need to take account of your age, menstrual cycle, medical history, ovulation and other factors.

If a home FSH test produces an unexpected result, or you are concerned about your ability to conceive, discuss the result with your GP rather than relying on the home test alone.

What Home Fertility Tests Cannot Tell You

Home fertility tests are designed to measure particular markers, not to provide a complete fertility diagnosis.

For example, a sperm concentration test cannot confirm whether sperm are moving normally or whether there are other possible causes of male infertility. Similarly, an FSH test cannot determine whether the fallopian tubes are open, confirm that ovulation is occurring normally or identify every condition that could affect female fertility.

This is why home tests are best regarded as a source of additional information rather than a definitive answer about fertility.

Conclusion

Home fertility tests can offer a convenient first look at specific aspects of male or female fertility. Male tests may provide information about sperm concentration, while some female tests measure hormones such as FSH.

However, fertility is complex and no single home test can confirm whether someone is fertile or infertile. If you receive an unexpected result, have concerns about your reproductive health or have been trying to conceive without success for the period recommended by the NHS, speak to your GP for a fuller assessment.

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