How to Test Your Fertility & Where to Get It Done

If you’re considering the path to parenthood and want to get proactive about your reproductive health, this post is for you. We’ll walk through how to get a fertility test in Australia in a gentle, supportive way, and point out what you can ask your GP or a fertility specialist, how to interpret things with confidence, and how your body might benefit from thoughtful foundation-support including preconception nutrition.

Why fertility testing can be helpful

Fertility testing is not about “pass” or “fail”. Rather it is a way to understand where you’re at now, what factors you may want to support, and whether there are any red-flags you can address early on.
Here are some of the key benefits:

• Gives you insight into your hormone levels, ovulation patterns, and for men, sperm health.

• Identifies issues such as ovulation irregularities, low ovarian reserve, tubal or uterine factors, or male factor fertility. 

• Helps you plan with more clarity – whether you’re trying now or want to optimise for the future.

• Empowers you to adjust lifestyle, nutrition and wellbeing early (rather than waiting until you’re trying and worried).

What kind of fertility tests can you get?

Female fertility testing

Your doctor or specialist may recommend:

• A blood test to check hormone levels such as FSH, LH, oestradiol, prolactin or thyroid-stimulating hormone. 

• An AMH (anti-Mullerian hormone) blood test to estimate ovarian reserve (how many eggs you may have remaining) though it does not measure egg quality. 

• Tracking ovulation via mid-luteal progesterone or (in some cases) ultrasound. 

• Imaging tests such as pelvic ultrasound to check uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries (for example for fibroids, endometriosis, blockages). 

Male fertility testing

Because fertility is a partnership, if applicable the male partner or person producing sperm may undergo:

• A semen analysis to assess sperm count, motility, shape/morphology. 

• Hormone tests (testosterone, FSH, LH) and sometimes imaging to check testes or structural factors. 

How do you go about getting a test in Australia?

1. Make an appointment with your GP. Explain you’re interested in understanding your fertility status and ask for a “fertility health check” or fertility work-up.

2. Your GP will take your history (menstrual cycle, existing health conditions, medications, lifestyle), may examine you and then order appropriate blood tests and/or refer you for imaging. 

3. If needed you or both partners will be referred to a fertility specialist for further testing (eg ultrasound, more detailed work-up) or advice. 

4. Consider timing: for female tests certain hormones should be drawn at specific parts of the cycle; imaging may happen early in cycle; semen analysis may require abstinence for 2-3 days. 

5. Once you have your results it’s important to discuss with your clinician what they mean, what you can act on, and what they don’t tell you (for example, test results do not always predict the exact outcome of conceiving).
   

What the results can and cannot tell you

Here’s a quick snapshot:

What they can tell you:

• Whether ovulation is likely occurring (or not)

• If the structure of your reproductive organs appears normal (or if there are issues)

• If sperm count or quality is outside standard reference ranges

• If your ovarian reserve estimate is lower than average for your age

What they cannot tell you:

• They cannot guarantee you will or will not conceive (nor how long it might take)

• AMH, for example, cannot reliably predict your individual fertility or how quickly you will fall pregnant. 

• Test results are a snapshot in time and may change (especially with lifestyle, health changes, age)

What you can do while you wait or after testing to support your fertility

• Focus on a whole-food diet rich in colourful vegetables, fruit, good quality protein, healthy fats and minimal ultra-processed food.

• Maintain a healthy weight (under- or overweight both may impact fertility).

• Prioritise restful sleep, manage stress and maintain moderate movement.

• Avoid smoking, limit alcohol and review any medications with your clinician.

• Support nutrient status: if you’ve had tests that show you’re low in something, or if your clinician recommends preconception support, good quality supplements can help. For example, foundational support for pregnancy preparation might include a prenatal formula such as Naternal’s EverNatal (prenatal, pregnancy support, full-body nourishment) 

• For energy, iron status, gut health: IronBiotic (iron, gut health, fatigue, energy support) 

• For mitochondrial / muscle / stress support: MitoMag (magnesium, stress, mitochondria, muscle recovery) 

• For vitamin D, absorption and immune support: Sol Drops (Vitamin D, absorption, immune support, drops)
  

When to seek further help

If you have any of the following it may be a good idea to speak to a fertility specialist:

• You have been trying to conceive for 12 months or more (or 6 months if you are over 35) without success

• You have irregular menstrual cycles, absent periods, diagnosed gynecological conditions (eg Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/PCOS, endometriosis)

• Either partner has a known fertility condition (eg sperm issues, previous surgery, cancer treatment)

• You have had repeated miscarriages
  

Final thoughts

Choosing to explore fertility testing is a caring, proactive step. It’s not about pressure or “timing everything perfectly” but about gathering knowledge, supporting your body kindly, and making empowered choices for your future. Remember, fertility is deeply personal and varies from person to person. The testing process is part of your journey—not the only measure of your worth or potential.

Credits:

Norman RJ. (2002). Fertility testing. Aust Prescr, 25(2), 38-40. Australian Prescriber
Fertility testing. The Women’s. The Women's Foundation
Fertility tests and treatments. Pregnancy Birth Baby. Pregnancy Birth Baby
How to test your fertility & where to get it done. Kin Fertility. Kin Fertility