- März 22, 2022
Whether you’ve been trying to conceive for a while, or simply wondering about your own fertility health, private fertility tests for IVF can offer the information and reassurance you need. In this article, we take a closer look at the private fertility tests offered by our partner IVF clinics.
Learn more about the processes involved, what you can learn and how you can find private fertility tests for IVF near you. We hope the insights can help you, as you embark on your fertility journey.
Do I need private fertility tests for IVF?
At the beginning, ‘trying to conceive’ may be fun, but it can quickly become very stressful, frustrating and upsetting if, month after month, the pregnancy test is negative. It is natural to wonder whether there are any health concerns that could be causing an issue. In that instance, private fertility tests for IVF can give you a bit of an MOT and an insight into whether you may need fertility treatment. For most people, the NHS won’t offer fertility testing until you have been trying to conceive for a year. If you would rather know sooner, private fertility tests are ideal.
Some people know very early on that they want to have children, and may wish to better understand their fertility health to make those future plans. You might, for example, have reason to be concerned that another health issue could pose a risk to your fertility. Private fertility tests for IVF can help you understand your ability to conceive, and what the next steps are on your fertility journey (for example, freezing your eggs, or using donor sperm).
What do private fertility tests for IVF entail?
Depending on whether you’re coming for testing on your own or as a couple, the tests involved can vary. Often the best start is a consultation with the clinic to understand your concerns, and they can recommend the right tests for you.
Most commonly, private fertility tests for IVF for women will include:
- A blood test, to measure the Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), which will give an idea about your ovarian reserve.
- A pelvic ultrasound scan (usually internal, rather than on the abdomen) to check for any polyps, fibroids, cysts or other problems likely to affect fertility. In this step the clinic will also evaluate the Antral Follicle Count to assess your ovarian reserve.
- A weight and height check, to see whether any changes to your BMI might improve your chances of conception.
As an optional extra, you may receive:
- A HyCoSy (Hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography) test – a non-invasive transvaginal ultrasound. This assesses your fallopian tubes, which must be clear of blockages in order to conceive.
For male partners, private fertility tests for IVF include:
- A semen sample, to analyse your sperm’s shape, movement and density, and its overall ability to conceive
- A blood test, to check hormone levels in case they’re affecting sperm production
- A health check, to see if any changes to diet or lifestyle might improve your fertility
When do I get the results?
The results of a private fertility tests for IVF are usually available quite quickly – within two weeks is normal. The fertility clinic will invite you to discuss the results and what the next step might be.
If the clinic does recommend fertility treatment, you may consider paying for it with an Access Fertility programme. In that case, this would be the stage when you would contact us to arrange that for you.
Where can I get a private fertility test for IVF?
Search for ‘private fertility test near me’ and you’ll be presented with a wealth of options from IVF clinics across the country. This being the start of your journey, we recommend choosing a clinic that is close to you (see our blog). That way, if you do need to visit frequently for treatment further down the line, it is more convenient, and with a team you’ve met.
Here at Access Fertility, we want to make it easy for you to find a clinic near you. You can be reassured that we carefully select all our clinics to ensure they share our philosophy of personalised, high-quality treatment. Using our clinic finder, see which one is in a convenient location for you, then click through to learn more about them.
If you’re at the start of your fertility journey and are unsure about the next best step for you, get in touch. We offer FREE 30-minute consultations with our fertility nurse, Kelly, who is here to answer any questions you have. Alternatively, book a call with our patient advisors. We would be glad to help walk you through your options with Access Fertility.
