Are At-Home Fertility Tests Right for You?

At-home fertility tests can be a more affordable and convenient alternative to getting your test done at a clinic. These tests measure a variety of different hormones in a woman’s body to give them insight into their reproductive health to help them make decisions about starting a family and whether to learn more about fertility treatments.

Modern Fertility, EverlyWell, and Let’sGetChecked all offer at-home fertility tests. There are three main types of tests: the FSH test, ovulation predictor kit, and semen analysis. It’s important to remember that these tests are not a substitute from seeing a physician. They can, however, serve as a starting point to better understanding your fertility by providing you with some indicators of how things are working for you.

Here are a few pros and cons of using at-home fertility tests:

Pros

It can give you clues: At-home fertility tests can help you get a sense of how your hormones will affect your ability to conceive, how many eggs you have, the likelihood of success for IVF or egg freezing, whether you’ll hit menopause early, and/or your risk factors for PCOS. If there are any concerning signs, you’ll know to schedule an appointment with a physician.

It can give you peace of mind: When a couple has been trying to conceive for less than six months, taking an at-home fertility test that indicates normal results (i.e., nothing unexpected) can help them feel at ease.

Less expensive: Getting testing done at a facility will probably be upwards of $800. An at-home fertility test not supervised by a board-certified doctor will be significantly less.
Cons

It’s not as accurate: At-home tests will not be as accurate or complete as a test administered by a board-certified physician.

Some tests may be able to give you a range for the hormone level instead of the accurate number that can be obtained through a blood test. Many hormone levels also vary month by month or can be impacted by birth control.

For ovulation predictor kits that determine when you’re ovulating, the accuracy of the test can also be affected by a number of factors such whether you’re taking certain medications or if you have a condition like PCOS.

For men, an at-home semen analysis can help you understand the quantity of sperm but not the quality. A truly accurate count is also only possible by having a trained specialist conduct the test.

You’ll need to self-administer the blood test: At-home fertility tests involve getting a blood sample. For an at-home fertility test not supervised by a doctor, you’ll have to follow the instructions and prick your finger with a small instrument and then collect the blood, which can be uncomfortable for some people.

Not covered by insurance: Health insurance generally doesn’t cover at-home fertility testing, unless you can prove you have been trying for at least a year or you’re over 35 and have been trying for a while. Even then, at-home fertility tests won’t necessarily be covered.

If you’re interested in talking to a knowledgeable, compassionate team of professionals about your fertility, please reach out to us at the Alabama Center for Reproductive Medicine today by clicking here.