Tests explained
What each test checks, when it is done and what results mean · 35 articles
Ultrasound and follicle trackingA vaginal ultrasound looks at the uterus and ovaries. Follicle tracking is a series of scans in one cycle to see if and when an egg is released.HSG (tube test)Hysterosalpingography is an X-ray test where dye is passed through the cervix to see if the tubes are open and the uterus is normal in shape. LaparoscopyKeyhole surgery under anaesthesia to look at the uterus, tubes and ovaries from outside. It can find and treat endometriosis, adhesions and tube problems.Sono-HSG (saline ultrasound)Saline or foam is passed into the uterus during ultrasound to check the cavity and tubes, without X-rays.HysteroscopyA thin camera is passed through the cervix to look inside the womb. Problems such as polyps, fibroids, septum or scarring can often be treated at the same time.Scrotal ultrasoundA painless scan of the testes to check size, varicocele, blockages or other problems.Female hormone testsBlood tests check hormones that control the cycle: FSH, LH, AMH, TSH and prolactin. Most are done on day 2–5 of the period; AMH, TSH and prolactin can be done on any day.Male hormone testsIf semen results are low, blood tests for FSH, LH, testosterone and sometimes prolactin help find the cause.Sperm DNA fragmentationMeasures damage to the genetic material inside sperm. It may be suggested after repeated miscarriage or failed IVF. Its value is still debated, so ask why it is needed.Semen analysisThe most important first test for the male partner. A semen sample is checked for volume, count, movement and shape of sperm. It is simple, cheap and painless.Fertility tests for couples: an overviewWhen a couple has trouble conceiving, both partners should be tested together, because the cause can lie with her, with him, with both, or sometimes cannot be found. The first tests are simple: a semen analysis for him, and blood tests, a scan and a tube check for her. Most basic tests cost far less than people fear, and good timing in her cycle makes them more useful.FSH and LH Tests: What They Tell You About Your FertilityFSH and LH are two hormones from the brain that help eggs grow and be released each month. A blood test on day 2 or 3 of your period shows how your ovaries and brain are talking to each other. The numbers can change from cycle to cycle, so one result is only one piece of the puzzle.AMH test: what your number meansAMH is a blood test that gives a rough idea of how many eggs are left in your ovaries. It does not tell you the quality of your eggs, and it cannot say alone whether you can get pregnant. Your fertility specialist reads it together with your age, scan and your partner's tests.Thyroid test (TSH) and fertilityThe thyroid is a small gland in your neck that helps control periods, ovulation and early pregnancy. A simple blood test called TSH shows if it is working well. If it is off, treatment is usually easy and safe, and it can improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy.Prolactin Test: Why It Matters When You Are Trying for a BabyProlactin is a hormone that helps make breast milk, but too much of it in a person who is not pregnant or breastfeeding can stop ovulation and lower sperm and testosterone levels. A simple blood test checks it. If the level is high, it is usually repeated, and an MRI may follow. Most causes are treatable, often with simple medicines.Day 21 progesterone test: did I ovulate?A progesterone blood test checks whether your body released an egg (ovulation) in that cycle. It works best about 7 days before your next period is due, which is Day 21 only if your cycle is 28 days long. If your cycles are irregular, the timing changes, so ask your doctor when to test.Antral Follicle Count (AFC) Scan: What It Shows and Why It MattersAn AFC scan is a quick ultrasound early in your period that counts the tiny fluid-filled sacs, called antral follicles, in both ovaries. Each sac holds an immature egg, so the count gives a rough idea of your egg reserve. Doctors read it together with your age and the AMH blood test to plan IVF or other treatment.3D Ultrasound of the Uterus: A Clear Look at the Shape of the WombA 3D ultrasound uses sound waves to build a three-dimensional picture of the uterus (womb). It shows the shape of the womb, such as a septum or a bicornuate uterus, and can also show fibroids. Doctors often advise it after repeated miscarriages, repeated IVF failure, or when a normal scan raises questions.Pelvic Ultrasound for Fertility: What to ExpectA pelvic ultrasound, often done with a thin probe inside the vagina (a transvaginal scan), uses sound waves to show the womb, ovaries and lining. It is usually quick, safe and not painful, and it helps doctors find fibroids, cysts, polyps and signs of PCOS/PMOS. It is one piece of the fertility puzzle, so the results are always read together with your history and other tests.Understanding HSG resultsAn HSG is an X-ray test that uses a special dye to show whether your womb cavity looks normal and your fallopian tubes are open. A report can show open tubes, a blocked tube, or a tube swollen with fluid (hydrosalpinx). Sometimes a tube looks blocked only because it squeezed shut during the test, so your doctor may repeat or confirm the result before deciding what to do next.Sono-HSG vs HSG vs Laparoscopy: Which Tube Test Is Right?Your fallopian tubes are thin pipes that carry the egg and sperm to meet. HSG (X-ray dye test), sono-HSG (ultrasound test) and laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) can all check if they are open, but they differ in comfort, radiation, accuracy and cost. A fertility specialist can help you choose the one that fits your story.Diagnostic laparoscopy: is it needed?Diagnostic laparoscopy is a keyhole surgery that lets a doctor look directly at the womb, tubes and ovaries. It is not needed for every couple, but it can help when there is long-standing pelvic pain, a suspected endometriosis, or a doubt about the tubes. Your fertility specialist will advise it only if the answer can change your treatment.What hysteroscopy can find and fixHysteroscopy lets a doctor look inside the womb (uterus) with a thin camera. It can find small problems like polyps, a septum, scar bands or fibroids that may affect pregnancy. Many of these can be treated during the same procedure, and most women go home the same day.Tests for genital tuberculosisGenital TB is TB that affects the womb lining or tubes. It can be hard to find, and no single test is perfect. The safest path is to confirm it with proper tests, because TB medicines should not be started on a guess.Blood sugar tests before pregnancyChecking blood sugar before pregnancy helps you and your doctor plan a safer journey for you and your baby. Three common tests are fasting sugar, HbA1c and the OGTT (sugar drink test). They matter most in PCOS/PMOS and before IVF, and the results can be improved with support.Routine blood tests before trying to conceiveA few simple blood tests before you try for a baby can find hidden problems that are easy to treat or prevent. These include blood group, haemoglobin, thalassaemia, rubella immunity, infections, thyroid and sugar. Both partners can be tested, and nobody is to blame for any result.Thalassaemia carrier screening for couplesThalassaemia is a blood condition passed from parents to children through genes. Many healthy people carry it without knowing. A simple blood test for both partners, ideally before pregnancy, helps couples understand their chances and plan with confidence.Karyotype (chromosome) test for couplesA karyotype is a simple blood test that looks at the number and shape of your chromosomes, the tiny packets that carry your genes. Doctors may advise it after repeated miscarriages or when a man has no sperm in his semen. If a couple carries a hidden change called a balanced translocation, special IVF testing called PGT-SR can help.Tests after repeated miscarriageLosing two or more pregnancies is very painful, and it is never your fault. A few well-chosen tests can find a cause in some couples, such as a womb shape problem, thyroid or sugar problems, or an antibody called antiphospholipid. Many popular tests do not help, so it is best to plan them with a fertility specialist.Semen culture and infection testsA semen culture checks whether germs are growing in the semen. It is not needed for everyone, but it can help when there are symptoms or when the report shows many pus cells. If an infection is found, the doctor may treat both partners so it does not pass back and forth.Ovulation kits and period apps: how reliable?Ovulation kits (LH strips) can show when your body is getting ready to release an egg, but period apps only make an estimate from past dates. Both are helpful tools, not proof of ovulation. If you have been trying for a while or your cycles are irregular, a fertility specialist can guide you.Scrotal Ultrasound and Doppler: A Simple GuideA scrotal ultrasound is a painless scan that uses sound waves to look at the testicles and the tubes around them. The Doppler part checks blood flow and can find a varicocele, a common and treatable cause of male fertility problems. It also checks testis size and looks for blockages, and the results work together with a semen test to guide the next step.Vitamin D, B12 and Iron Tests: What They Mean for FertilityLow vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iron are very common in India, in both women and men. A simple blood test shows if you are low, and supplements are best taken only when a doctor finds a real deficiency. These nutrients support general health, but the proof that they improve fertility is modest, so treat them as one part of a bigger picture.Endometrial receptivity tests (ERA): do they help?An ERA test takes a small sample of the womb lining to find the best day for an embryo transfer. Studies so far have not shown that it improves the chance of a baby for most people. It adds cost and delay, so ask your doctor clear questions before paying.What fertility tests cost in IndiaBasic fertility tests are much cheaper in government hospitals than in private labs, and both partners should be tested. Prices change by city, lab and hospital, so the ranges here are only a rough guide. A fertility specialist can help you pick the tests you really need so you don't pay for extras.