Fertility Tests for Women: What Each One Tells You
When pregnancy does not happen as expected, a few simple tests can help explain why. Each test looks at a different part of the process: whether eggs are being released, how many eggs remain, whether the tubes are open and whether the uterus is healthy. Here is what the common tests are and what they can tell you.
Published 2026-10-15
When pregnancy does not happen as expected, a few simple tests can help explain why. Each test looks at a different part of the process: whether eggs are being released, how many eggs remain, whether the tubes are open and whether the uterus is healthy. Here is what the common tests are and what they can tell you.
Hormone blood tests
Blood tests are usually done on specific days of the menstrual cycle.
- FSH and LH, often checked on day 2 or 3, give information about how the ovaries are responding to signals from the brain
- Oestradiol is checked alongside FSH to interpret it correctly
- Progesterone in the second half of the cycle can suggest whether ovulation has happened
- Thyroid (TSH) and prolactin are checked because imbalances can affect ovulation
AMH test
AMH, or anti-Mullerian hormone, is made by small follicles in the ovaries. It gives an estimate of ovarian reserve, meaning roughly how many eggs remain. AMH can be tested on any day of the cycle. It is important to know what AMH does not tell you. It does not measure egg quality, and a lower AMH does not mean natural pregnancy is impossible. It mainly helps your doctor plan treatment and choose medicine doses.
Transvaginal ultrasound
An ultrasound shows the uterus and ovaries clearly. It can count antral follicles, the small fluid-filled sacs that each contain an immature egg, which is another measure of ovarian reserve. It can also show fibroids, polyps, ovarian cysts and signs of PCOS.
Tests for the fallopian tubes
The tubes carry the egg towards the uterus and are where fertilisation happens. If they are blocked, sperm and egg cannot meet naturally.
- HSG uses dye and an X-ray to see whether the tubes are open
- Sonosalpingography uses saline and ultrasound for a similar purpose
- Laparoscopy is a keyhole procedure that is sometimes used when other tests suggest a problem
Looking inside the uterus
If a polyp, fibroid, scar tissue or a uterine septum is suspected, your doctor may suggest a hysteroscopy, where a thin camera is passed through the cervix to look directly inside the uterus and treat it.
Do not forget the male partner
Around a third of fertility problems involve a male factor, and many involve both partners. A semen analysis is simple and should be done early, at the same time as the woman's tests.
FAQ
Do I need all of these tests?
Not always. Your doctor chooses tests based on your age, history and how long you have been trying.
Is a low AMH a reason to panic?
No. It is one piece of information that helps plan the next step, ideally soon rather than later.
Is HSG painful?
Some women feel cramping for a short time. Your doctor can suggest simple pain relief beforehand.
Next step
At Conceiva Fertility in Kondapur, Dr. Spoorthy Chennamaneni explains every test result in person so you understand what it means for you and what comes next.
Meet Dr. Spoorthy Chennamaneni · Contact Conceiva Fertility
Medically reviewed by Dr. Spoorthy Chennamaneni (Telangana State Medical Council Reg. 070142). Last reviewed: 7 October 2026.