Procedure guide · Reproductive medicine
A fertility assessment is a set of questions, examinations and tests that looks for the reason a couple has not conceived. The NHS says both partners should be assessed. Fertility problems can affect either partner, and sometimes no cause is found. The results guide whether treatment is needed and which kind.
What is a fertility assessment?
The NHS describes infertility as a couple not getting pregnant despite regular unprotected sex. The assessment starts with a history. Doctors ask about previous pregnancies, how long you have been trying, sex and contraception, medical conditions, medicines and lifestyle. A physical examination follows. Then come tests for each partner.
Who may need one?
The NHS suggests seeing a doctor if you have not conceived after a year of trying. Women aged 36 and over should seek advice sooner. So should anyone who already knows they may have a fertility problem. The NHS lists common causes. They include irregular or absent ovulation, poor semen quality, blocked or damaged fallopian tubes and endometriosis.
Which tests are usually done?
For women, the NHS lists these tests:
- a progesterone blood test to check ovulation
- a gonadotrophin blood test if periods are irregular
- a chlamydia test
- an ultrasound scan of the ovaries, womb and tubes
- a tube test using dye or fluid, by X-ray or ultrasound
- laparoscopy, usually only if a problem is likely
For men, the NHS lists a semen analysis and a chlamydia test. The specialist decides which tests are needed and in what order.
Bring your past results
Many tests may already have been done at home. Send copies with dates. A specialist can then avoid repeating tests that are still recent enough.
Which reports should you send before travelling?
Send a short history of how long you have been trying and any previous pregnancies or miscarriages. Add both partners’ blood tests, scan reports and any tube test. Include the semen analysis and records of any earlier treatment. List all medicines, including herbal remedies. The NHS notes these can matter. Ask the clinic which tests it would like done before you arrive.
How do you plan the trip?
An assessment can sometimes start with a remote review of your records. Some blood tests need to be timed to a point in the menstrual cycle. So the clinic may ask you to arrive on particular days. Both partners should plan to attend. If treatment is advised, the clinic will explain the next steps. Ask whether treatment can follow on the same trip or needs a separate one.
What should you ask the clinic?
- Which of our existing results can you accept, and which must be repeated?
- Which tests must be timed to the menstrual cycle?
- Do both partners need to attend in person?
- Is the clinic registered on the National ART and Surrogacy Registry?
- How will you explain the results and the options?
- Can our doctor at home receive a written summary?
Questions people ask
Should the male partner be tested too?
Yes. The NHS lists a semen analysis and a chlamydia test for men. Fertility problems can affect either partner. Testing both early avoids delays and helps the specialist suggest the right next step.
What if no cause is found?
The NHS notes that in about a quarter of cases no cause is found. A specialist can still discuss options. They will explain what the results mean for you and whether any treatment is worth considering.
Is keyhole surgery always part of a fertility assessment?
No. The NHS says laparoscopy is usually only used if a problem is likely. Examples include past pelvic inflammatory disease or a scan suggesting a blocked tube. Most assessments start with blood tests, scans and a semen analysis.
Sources
General information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source. Your treating specialist decides on suitability, treatment and length of stay. How we write and check.