Fertility Testing 101
So, you're thinking about fertility testing. First off, give yourself a little hug for taking this step. Whether you're just curious, proactively planning, or starting to feel the clock ticking, fertility testing can be an empowering way to understand more about your body.
That said, the idea of fertility testing can feel totally overwhelming. Where do you go? What do you ask for? And what does it even *mean* to "get your fertility tested"? Let's break it all down.
There Is No Single Test for Fertility
You’ve probably heard someone say, "I got my fertility tested." But the truth is, there isn’t just *one* test. Fertility is multi-faceted, and there’s no magical report card that says, "Yes, you're fertile" or "No, you're not." Instead, testing involves a combination of different indicators that give a snapshot of your current reproductive health.
So when you Google “fertility testing near me” and get an overwhelming list of blood tests, ultrasounds, and acronyms — don’t panic. You’re not alone, and we’ll walk through the basics together.
The Two Core Tests
If you’re just dipping your toe into fertility testing, there are two tests that are considered the standard starting point for understanding your ovarian reserve — a medical term that essentially means "how many eggs you have left."
1. AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) Test
This is a blood test. Each egg in your body produces a hormone called AMH. So, the more AMH in your blood, the more eggs you likely have. It’s not exact — think of it as a ballpark estimate, not a headcount.
2. Antral Follicle Count (AFC)
This is done via an internal ultrasound (more on that in the next post!). A medical professional counts the small follicles growing on your ovaries. Each of these follicles contains one immature egg. The number of follicles you see on a given day can tell you how active your ovaries are at that moment.
Together, these two tests give you a pretty decent idea of where your ovarian reserve stands.
A Quick Reality Check: No Test Can Predict Your Future Fertility
Even with AMH and AFC results, it’s important to understand that these tests offer insight, not guarantees. They don’t tell you how easy it will be for you to get pregnant, or how long it will take. They also don’t speak to the quality of your eggs — only quantity.
But knowing where you stand can still be hugely helpful. For example, it might inform your decision to freeze your eggs, try sooner than later, or just check in again in a year. Knowledge is power — even when it’s nuanced.
Where to Go From Here
If you’re ready to take the next step, stay tuned for Part 2 of this series, where we go deep into how these tests work, what they feel like, and how to interpret the results.
Whether you’re here out of curiosity, anxiety, or pure planning-mode, know this: getting tested doesn’t mean committing to fertility treatment. It means giving yourself more information. And that’s always a good thing.
Want to learn more? Check out our follow-up post: Inside the Tests: What AMH and Antral Follicle Count Really Tell You.
