TL;DR: If you’re wondering what tests are done for infertility, the answer depends on your medical history, cycle, symptoms, and whether a partner also needs testing.
Fertility testing may include hormone blood work, ovarian reserve testing or pelvic ultrasound to check the uterus and fallopian tubes, semen analysis for male fertility, and sometimes genetic screening.
Testing helps your care team understand what may be affecting your fertility and what options may make sense next.
If you’ve been trying to conceive for 12 months, or six months if you’re over 35, speak with your doctor about getting a referral to King Square Fertility in Markham for compassionate, culturally sensitive fertility care.
Trying to conceive can start to feel like a second life running in the background. There are cycles to track, timing to think about, symptoms to question, and late-night searches that rarely bring comfort.
After a while, the thought comes up: maybe it’s time to see someone.
Then come the questions. What tests are done for infertility? Will it hurt? Does my partner need testing too? Does testing mean IVF is next?
At King Square Fertility in Markham, your first fertility assessment is about understanding what may be happening, what options you have, and what path may feel right for you.
Many people worry that infertility testing is meant to find out who’s responsible. In reality, it’s a way to understand what may be affecting your ability to conceive.
Because fertility is a complex process, many factors can contribute to it. Infertility affects about one in six Canadian couples, and the cause may be related to ovulation, egg quality, the uterus, the fallopian tubes, sperm health, or no clear cause at all.
That’s why testing focuses on gathering information, not assigning blame. With the right information, your care team can get a clearer picture of your fertility, explain your options, and help you decide what may come next.
Fertility testing usually proceeds in steps. Your care team will look at your medical history, symptoms, cycle patterns, and any previous test results before deciding which tests make sense for you.
Here’s what infertility testing may involve:
If you’re a woman, your care team may first want to understand whether you’re ovulating and when you're ovulating. Ovulation is when the ovary releases an egg, and it plays an important role in getting pregnant.
This is usually checked through blood tests that measure hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, and progesterone. Because these hormones change throughout your cycle, your bloodwork may need to be done on specific days.
Ovarian reserve refers to the number of eggs that may still be available in the ovaries. It doesn’t predict pregnancy on its own, but it can help your care team understand how your ovaries may respond if treatment is needed.
One common test is the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) blood test. This can usually be done at any point in your cycle.
Your care team may also recommend an antral follicle count, or AFC, using a transvaginal ultrasound to count the small follicles visible on the ovaries.
For pregnancy to happen, the fallopian tubes and uterus both play important roles. The egg and sperm usually meet in the fallopian tube, and the embryo then needs to implant in the uterus.
To check these areas, your care team may recommend a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) or sonohysterogram (SHG).
An HSG uses dye and X-ray imaging to see whether the fallopian tubes are open. An SHG uses saline and ultrasound to look more closely at the inside of the uterus.
These tests can sometimes cause mild cramping, similar to period cramps. Your care team will explain what to expect beforehand so you feel prepared.
If you’re a man, semen analysis is often part of the first round of testing. This test checks sperm count, movement, and shape.
A lower sperm count or reduced sperm movement doesn’t mean pregnancy is impossible. It provides your care team with more information and helps them determine whether male fertility support or treatment may be helpful.
Before ordering tests, your care team will want to understand your full history. This may include your cycle patterns, previous pregnancies or miscarriages, surgeries, medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors.
A physical exam may also be recommended, depending on your situation. These conversations and exams are not about judgment. They help your care team understand the bigger picture and provide care that fits your needs.
If you’re under 35 and have been trying to conceive for 12 months, it may be time to ask about a fertility evaluation. If you’re over 35, many doctors recommend checking in after six months.
That said, you don’t always need to wait. If you have irregular periods, endometriosis, PCOS, a history of pelvic inflammatory disease, previous surgeries, or known sperm health concerns, earlier testing may make sense.
In some situations, your care team may recommend genetic screening or testing. Not everyone needs it, but it can be helpful if there’s a family history of genetic conditions, repeated pregnancy loss, or if you’re using donor eggs or sperm.
Genetic screening can help show whether you or your partner carries genes linked to certain inherited conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, or Tay-Sachs.
During In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), genetic testing may also be used to learn more about embryos before transfer.
King Square Fertility offers genetic screening and testing services for patients who may benefit from extra insight before or during fertility treatment.
At King Square Fertility in Markham, your care begins with listening. Our team takes time to explain what each test means, answer your questions, and support you with clarity and compassion.
If you’re wondering whether it’s time for fertility testing, speak with your family doctor about a referral.
When you’re ready, we’re here to help you understand what may be happening and what path may feel right for you.
Most fertility tests are more uncomfortable than painful. Blood draws are quick, ultrasounds are usually well tolerated, and tests like HSG or SHG may cause short cramping, similar to period cramps. Your care team will explain what to expect and how to stay comfortable.
It depends on which tests are needed and where you are in your cycle. Some bloodwork must be done on specific days, and imaging tests may need to be scheduled. In many cases, a full fertility workup takes several weeks.
Your care team will review your results, explain what they mean, and talk through your options. This may include lifestyle changes, medication, a procedure, watchful waiting, or fertility treatment.
If you’ve been trying to conceive without success, waiting and wondering will only take you so far. Fertility testing can provide the answers, clarity, and direction that online searches simply can’t.
At King Square Fertility, our team helps individuals and couples in Markham and the Greater Toronto Area understand what may be affecting their fertility and the options available to them.
With comprehensive testing, culturally sensitive care, and personalized guidance, we’re committed to helping you move forward.
The sooner you understand your fertility picture, the sooner you can make informed decisions about your future.
Speak with your doctor about getting a referral, then contact us to book an appointment.
You have questions. We’re here to help you find answers.
