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Fertility Testing: What Tests Are Used and What They Look For

The fertility tests commonly used for women and men, according to MedlinePlus and the NIH, what each one checks, and how test results relate to IVF diagnoses in CDC data.

By FertilityList Editorial (AI-assisted, data-driven) · Last updated

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a qualified clinician about your situation. Disclaimer.

A fertility evaluation looks for possible reasons a pregnancy is not happening. It usually involves both partners. This guide lists the tests that US health agencies describe, what each is meant to check, and how results connect to the diagnoses recorded in US IVF data. It is not a substitute for a clinician’s advice about which tests are right for you.

When testing usually starts

MedlinePlus says health care providers suggest that women under 30 try to conceive for 1 year before testing, and that women over 35 try for 6 months before talking to their provider.[1] NICHD’s definition of infertility uses the same thresholds: 1 year, or 6 months if the woman is older than 35.[2] People with known conditions, irregular periods, or a history that could affect fertility often see a clinician sooner. Testing is also part of planning for egg freezing, donor treatment or IVF for other reasons.

The first step: history and physical exam

According to MedlinePlus, infertility testing involves a medical history and physical exam for both partners, and blood and imaging tests are most often needed.[1] The history typically covers menstrual cycles, past pregnancies, surgeries, infections, medicines and lifestyle, because many of these can affect fertility.[1]

Tests for women

MedlinePlus lists these tests that may be used for women:[1]

  • Hormone blood tests, including progesterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
  • Home urine ovulation kits, and measuring body temperature each morning to see if ovulation is happening
  • FSH and clomid challenge test
  • Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) testing
  • Hysterosalpingography (HSG), an X-ray procedure to look for blockages in the fallopian tubes
  • Pelvic ultrasound, to check egg quality and evaluate the uterus
  • Laparoscopy, a surgical procedure to look inside the pelvis
  • Thyroid function tests
  • Blood tests for a past chlamydia infection, which can damage the fallopian tubes

What these tests relate to

Several of these tests map onto the main causes of female infertility described by NICHD.[3]

  • Ovulation tests and hormone tests relate to ovulation problems, which NICHD calls the most common cause of female infertility.[3]
  • AMH and FSH are hormone blood tests on the MedlinePlus list.[1] Clinicians often discuss them in the context of ovarian reserve; the CDC defines diminished ovarian reserve as a reduced ability of the ovary to produce eggs.[6] Ask how your own results are interpreted.
  • HSG looks for blocked fallopian tubes and pelvic ultrasound evaluates the uterus;[1] these relate to structural problems, which NICHD says include blocked tubes, fibroids, polyps and endometriosis.[3]
  • Thyroid and infection tests relate to endocrine disorders and infections that can affect fertility.[3]

Tests for men

MedlinePlus lists these tests that may be used for men:[1]

  • Sperm testing (semen analysis)
  • Exam of the testes and penis
  • Ultrasound of the male genitals (sometimes)
  • Hormone blood tests
  • Testicular biopsy (rarely)

Semen analysis assesses the sperm themselves. NICHD describes conditions it can point to, such as no sperm (azoospermia), a low sperm count (oligospermia), or sperm that move slowly or are abnormally shaped.[4] A physical exam can identify a varicocele, which NICHD says is present in about 40% of men with fertility problems.[4]

From test results to a diagnosis

Test results lead to diagnostic categories. When IVF is used, US clinics report these categories to the CDC. In 2022, the most frequently reported infertility diagnoses were male factor (28%), diminished ovarian reserve (26%), ovulatory dysfunction (14%), unexplained infertility (11%) and tubal factor (10%). More than one reason can be recorded.[5] See causes of infertility for the full table.

Unexplained infertility means no cause was found in either partner.[6] It is a diagnosis reached after testing, not a sign that testing failed.

Ovarian reserve and IVF: what the data shows

Ovarian reserve matters for IVF because it affects how many eggs can be retrieved. In US clinic data, the share of intended egg retrievals in which no eggs were retrieved rises with age:[5]

Age groupIntended retrievals with no eggs retrieved (2022)
Under 354.7%
35–377.0%
38–4010.0%
Over 4015.2%

Nationally, 8.5% of intended retrievals in 2022 did not retrieve any eggs.[5] These are averages across all patients and clinics. They do not predict an individual result.

Preparing for a first appointment

It can help to bring a record of menstrual cycle dates, any previous test results, a list of current medicines and supplements, and details of past pregnancies, surgeries or infections for both partners. Writing down questions in advance makes it easier to cover everything, because a first fertility visit often includes a lot of new information. Some tests depend on the day of the cycle, so clinics may schedule them over several weeks.

Questions to ask about testing

  • Which tests do you recommend for each partner, and why?
  • What does each test measure, and what would an abnormal result mean?
  • Are any tests timed to a specific day of the menstrual cycle?
  • Which tests are covered by insurance, and which are out of pocket?
  • How will the results change the treatment options we discuss?

Sources

  1. MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Infertility (Medical Encyclopedia). Accessed November 13, 2026.
  2. NICHD, National Institutes of Health. About Infertility and Fertility. Accessed November 13, 2026.
  3. NICHD, National Institutes of Health. What are some possible causes of female infertility?. Accessed November 13, 2026.
  4. NICHD, National Institutes of Health. What are some possible causes of male infertility?. Accessed November 13, 2026.
  5. CDC, National ART Surveillance System. 2022 Final Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Summary (dataset). Accessed November 13, 2026.
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ART Glossary. Accessed November 13, 2026.

First published November 13, 2026. Found an error? See our corrections policy.