Whether you buy them online or over-the-counter at your local pharmacy, at-home fertility tests can be useful, and you’ll undoubtedly appreciate the lower cost and ability to test in the privacy of your own home. Still, it’s important to understand what these tests can and can’t do before purchasing them.
Why Should You Test Your Fertility?
If you’re trying to conceive, a test that helps you predict ovulation can improve your chances of becoming pregnant. If you’ve been trying for a while to become pregnant and are concerned about your fertility, you may need more comprehensive diagnostic testing.
Fertility testing is also helpful when planning for the future. You may be interested in freezing your eggs or sperm, or you may simply want more information about your reproductive potential.
Differences Between an At-Home Fertility Test vs. Fertility Doctor
The first key difference is accessibility. At-home fertility tests are widely available and easily ordered online, while fertility testing with a fertility doctor requires an appointment, traveling to the clinic, and sometimes meeting specific criteria required by insurance.
Second, at-home fertility tests are often cheaper than those you’d receive from a fertility doctor, though it’s important to remember you’re paying a fertility specialist for expertise, access to better technology, individualized treatment, and more accurate results.
The most important difference between an at-home fertility test vs. fertility doctor: at-home fertility tests are limited in scope, while tests done by fertility doctors are much more comprehensive.
Think of at-home fertility tests like other at-home tests. At-home leak detectors can be helpful for alerting you to a leaky pipe in your bathroom, but they won’t tell you exactly where the leak is, what caused it, how to repair it, or how much damage has been done to surrounding areas. You need a professional for that. Similarly, at-home fertility tests may provide you with some useful information, but they’re not a substitute for a fertility specialist.
Uses and Limitations of At-Home Fertility Tests
At-home fertility tests can be useful for predicting ovulation and possibly identifying problems with hormone levels and semen quality. In fact, many people find at-home fertility tests to be a cost-effective and convenient way to begin their fertility journey. However, it’s essential to understand their limitations.
Importantly, at-home fertility tests often vary in quality. Those that are FDA approved, analyzed by Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments (CLIA) labs, and interpreted by a licensed medical professional are the most accurate. But even these tests can have varying results depending on how accurately you perform the test at home, and any underlying medical conditions.
Ovulation predictor kits are some of the most commonly used at-home fertility tests, but if you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), they may not accurately predict when you ovulate. And if you have an irregular menstrual cycle, you may accidentally test at the wrong time, leading to a frustrating lack of results.
Kinds of Tests Done By Fertility Doctors
To get a clear picture of your reproductive health, your doctor will begin by taking a thorough medical history and performing a physical exam. Depending on your fertility goals and specific issues, other specific tests will be recommended.
The most common tests used to assess fertility include ultrasounds, semen analysis, checking hormone levels, and evaluating your ovarian reserve. These tests are useful whether you simply want to learn about your current fertility, would like to freeze your eggs or sperm, or are having trouble conceiving.
Your doctor may need to do additional tests to look for underlying medical conditions, issues with your reproductive organs, genetic problems, and other factors that may contribute to infertility. A comprehensive list of fertility tests include:
- Post-ejaculatory urinalysis to check for urine in your sperm
- Hysterosalpingogram to see whether your fallopian tubes are blocked
- Hysteroscopy or sonohysterogram to see the inside of your uterus more clearly
- Pelvic or testicular ultrasound to check for physical abnormalities
- Genetic testing to identify problems with your sperm or eggs
- Hormone analysis to check for hormonal imbalances
- Antral follicle count and anti-mullerian hormone test to estimate your ovarian reserve
When to See a Fertility Doctor
While at-home fertility tests can be useful and cost-effective in some situations, it’s important to consult a fertility specialist if you’ve been trying to conceive without success for 12 consecutive months, or after six months if you’re over age 35.
You should also see a fertility doctor if you’ve had multiple miscarriages, have PCOS or endometriosis that may be affecting your fertility, have received abnormal or confusing results on at-home fertility tests, or are interested in preserving your fertility.
The RISE team is here for you, so contact us if you’d like to schedule a fertility consultation.
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