Diagnostics · When time is a concern

Fertility Testing When Time Is a Concern

If you're over 35, or just worried about time, it helps to focus on the investigations most likely to make a difference, and to know what each one can and can't tell you.

See the investigations Book a consultation

How we can help

Prioritising the tests most likely to help

Clear explanations of what AMH can and can't tell you

Help deciding when to move towards a clinic

Why age matters

Age is the biggest single factor affecting female fertility. The number of eggs falls over time, and so does the proportion that are chromosomally normal. That's why the chance of conceiving each month tends to fall, and the risk of miscarriage tends to rise, from the mid-thirties onwards.

Male age matters too, although the changes are more gradual. Sperm quality and DNA integrity can decline with age, so it's worth looking at both partners.

When to seek advice

If you're 35 or over and haven't conceived after six months of trying, it's generally sensible to get advice rather than waiting a full year. If you're over 40, or you have irregular cycles or a known health condition, it's worth doing so sooner.

Tests that can help you plan

When time matters, the aim is to find the investigations most likely to change what you do next, rather than testing everything.

In guidelines: Recommended by current guidelines
Situational: Useful in particular circumstances

Female hormones and ovarian reserve (including AMH)Via consultation
Situational
AMH gives an idea of how many eggs you have left, and it's useful if you're weighing up IVF or egg freezing. It doesn't tell you about egg quality or predict your chance of conceiving naturally each month, which is a common misunderstanding.
Via consultationBlood testAbout this test →
About this test →
Semen analysis£229
In guidelines
A quick, non-invasive first step that's easy to overlook when the focus is on female age. Ours can be done at home.
£229At-home kitAbout this test →
About this test →
Sperm DNA fragmentationfrom £545
Situational
Sperm DNA damage tends to increase with age and doesn't show up on a standard semen analysis. It may be worth considering if other results look normal.
from £545Collection hubAbout this test →
About this test →
Thyroid function and antibodiesVia consultation
Situational
Thyroid problems become more common with age and can affect ovulation and early pregnancy. They're simple to test for and usually treatable.
Via consultationBlood testAbout this test →
About this test →

Tests you might hear about

Limited on their own

Home fertility hormone kits

Home kits that measure AMH are widely available and can be useful as part of a wider picture. On their own they can't tell you whether you'll conceive naturally, and a low result can cause a lot of unnecessary worry.

How we can help

We'll look at what you've already had done, suggest the tests most likely to be useful and help you understand the results in context. If time is a real concern, we can also help you think through whether it's worth moving more quickly towards a fertility clinic.

Talk it through with us

If you'd like a full review of your history and results, an initial consultation is the best place to start.

Most patients start here

Fertility initial consultation

£180

60 minutes. A full review of your case and existing tests, which diagnostics might be missing, and a personalised plan.

Book a consultation

Not sure where to start?

Check with Verity First

£35

Send a short account of your journey and your existing results, and Verity will suggest the most useful next step. It's a brief review rather than a full treatment plan, and the £35 can be credited towards a later consultation or acupuncture appointment.

Check with Verity First