When you’re trying to conceive, not knowing what’s going on can be one of the hardest parts. You might be wondering whether you need help, whether it’s too soon to ask questions, or whether there’s something you should have done differently.
First things first, you haven’t done anything wrong.
Fertility testing is a simple way to understand more about your reproductive health. It doesn’t mean you’re committing to treatment, and it doesn’t mean something is definitely wrong. It gives you clear information, so you can make decisions with more confidence.
For some people, fertility testing is the first step after months or years of trying. For others, it’s something they choose before they start trying, especially if they want to plan ahead. However you arrive at this point, getting answers can help you feel less stuck.
If you’re still getting your head around what infertility means, our guide to understanding infertility is a helpful place to start.
Quick jump:
Fertility can be affected by many different things, including ovulation, egg reserve, sperm health, the uterus, fallopian tubes, hormones, age, lifestyle, and medical history. Sometimes there’s one clear reason why pregnancy hasn’t happened. Sometimes there are several smaller factors. Sometimes, test results look reassuring and the reason remains unclear.
That’s why testing matters. It gives your fertility specialist a fuller picture before they recommend any next steps.
At Care Fertility, fertility tests are carried out before your consultation with a fertility specialist. This means your fertility specialist can review your results and explain what they mean during your appointment, rather than sending you away for tests and asking you to come back later.
That makes your consultation more useful from the start. It becomes a focused conversation about your body, your results, and your options.
When you call Care Fertility, our patient enquiry team will talk through what’s brought you to us and help book the right tests and consultation.
If you’re planning to start treatment soon, you may be interested in our pre-treatment bundle. It brings together the essential tests your fertility specialist needs before your consultation, helping you move forward with fewer delays and a clearer plan.
You can also explore our fertility tests and our fertility assessment if you’re not wanting to start a family, but would like to know where you stand.
If you already have recent test results from another provider, we may be able to review them, as long as they’re complete, current, and include the right information. In many cases, completing your tests with Care Fertility is the simplest way to make sure your fertility specialist has everything they need in one place.
For female patients, blood tests may include AMH, which stands for anti-Müllerian hormone. AMH gives an idea of ovarian reserve, which means how many eggs you’re likely to have. It doesn’t tell us everything about fertility, and it can’t predict whether you will or won’t get pregnant naturally, but it can help guide treatment planning.
A pelvic ultrasound scan can help us look at your uterus and ovaries. It may include an antral follicle count, which looks at the small follicles in the ovaries. This can help your fertility specialist understand how your ovaries may respond to fertility medication if treatment is needed.
For male patients or sperm providers, a semen analysis looks at sperm count, movement, and shape. These are often called count, motility, and morphology. A semen analysis can help identify whether there may be a male factor affecting fertility.
Your results can help answer some of the big questions. Are you ovulating? Is your ovarian reserve lower or higher than expected? Are there signs of a sperm factor? Is there anything that needs further investigation?
They can also help your fertility specialist talk through treatment options. For some people, the next step may be trying naturally for a little longer with clearer guidance. For others, it may be medication, IUI, IVF, ICSI, donor treatment, or fertility preservation.
Sometimes, results may point towards a known condition, such as endometriosis or polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (formerly known as polycystic ovaries). Sometimes, results don’t show a clear cause, which is known as unexplained infertility. And if you’ve conceived before but are struggling to get pregnant again, you may be experiencing secondary infertility.
Whatever your results show, they don’t define you. They’re information. And information gives us somewhere to start.
Once your tests are complete and your results are ready, you’ll meet with a fertility specialist. They’ll talk through your medical history, your results, and what they may mean for your chances of conceiving.
You might want to ask:
What do my results show?
Is there a clear reason why I’m not getting pregnant?
Do we need more tests?
What treatment options are suitable for me?
How long might treatment take?
What are the costs?
What happens if treatment doesn’t work first time?
There’s no such thing as a silly question. This is your time to understand what’s happening and what your options are.
After your consultation, you’ll receive a summary including treatment options and cost estimates through our dedicated treatment companion app, Salve. This means you can read everything back in your own time, rather than trying to remember every detail from the appointment.
Finding out there may be a fertility issue can feel like a lot to take in. Some people feel upset. Some feel relieved to finally have an explanation. Some feel both at once.
There’s no right way to react.
If your results suggest infertility, your fertility specialist will explain what this means and what options may be available. Depending on your results, this might include IVF, ICSI, further investigations, donor treatment, or another pathway.
You may find it helpful to read our blog on finding out you’re infertile: what next?, which talks through the emotional and practical steps after a diagnosis.
You can also read more about treatment in our guide to IVF: what is it and how does it work?.
Normal test results can be reassuring, but they can also feel frustrating if you still don’t have an answer. This is sometimes called unexplained infertility.
Unexplained doesn’t mean imagined. It simply means the standard tests haven’t found a clear cause.
Your fertility specialist will explain whether further investigations are recommended, or whether treatment may be appropriate based on your age, how long you’ve been trying, your medical history, and your goals.
If you decide to move forward with treatment after your consultation, your next steps will be managed through your companion app.
Before treatment can begin, you’ll need viral screening blood tests and consent forms through Engaged MD. You’ll then attend a treatment planning meeting with a nurse, where you’ll go through your treatment plan and medication.
You can also find quick answers to common questions in our help centre, including information about appointments, treatment, medication, costs, and using your companion app.
You don't need to have everything figured out before you reach out — that's exactly what we're here for.
Fertility tests can tell you a lot: how your body is working, what your options might be, and what your next steps could look like. Whatever your results show, our team will walk you through what they mean and support you every step of the way.
Ready to take the first step? Our patient enquiry team can help you find the right tests and book a consultation — so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Book your fertility assessment
Speak to our team: 0800 564 2270