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Modern Fertility is our pick for the best overall at-home fertility test for females. For males, Legacy and LabCorp offer the best options.
Best fertility tests for females
- Best overall: Modern Fertility Hormone Test | Skip to review
- Best customer reviews: LetsGetChecked Female Hormone Test | Skip to review
- Best for cycle tracking: Mira Starter Kit | Skip to review
Best fertility tests for males
- Best advanced sperm test: Legacy Semen Analysis | Skip to review
- Best rapid sperm test: Labcorp OnDemand Men’s Rapid Fertility Test | Skip to review
Infertility is the diagnosis if you haven’t been able to get pregnant after trying for 6 months (if you’re over 35 years old), or 1 year (if you’re younger than 35 years). This applies whether you’re trying through therapeutic donor insemination or sex without a condom or other barrier methods.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infertility is experienced in approximately
However, infertility can affect people of any gender.
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, for about 40% of heterosexual couples who cannot get pregnant, the male partner presents with medical challenges that are typically the main cause or a contributing cause of infertility.
On the other hand, some fertility challenges relate to the female partner alone like concerns with ovulation or anovulation. And in up to
At-home fertility tests are an option for those wanting an answer as soon as possible. Here are our picks of the best at-home fertility test options.
You’ll notice that the language used in this article to share stats and other data points is pretty binary, fluctuating between the use of “male” and “female” or “men” and “women.”
Although we typically avoid language like this, specificity is key when reporting on research participants and clinical findings.
The studies and surveys below didn’t report data on — or include —participants who were:
- transgender
- nonbinary
- gender nonconforming
- genderqueer
- agender
- genderless
At-home hormone tests for women usually involve collecting a small blood sample, then sending it off to a lab for testing. These tests look at a variety of hormones, including:
- Ovarian reserve: These include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). “These tests give a general sense of the number of eggs remaining in the ovary,” explains Dr. Amanda Kallen, an associate professor in the division of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Yale Medicine. However, these tests have not been shown to predict fertility in people who are not experiencing fertility issues. Of note: This test is not advisable when considering egg freezing.
- Estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH), which increases right before ovulation: LH can be detected in the urine, and is what’s detected in home ovulation predictor kits, Kallen says.
- Thyroid hormones, such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): “Thyroid problems can contribute to irregular or absent periods and thus problems with infertility, which is why a TSH test is ordered,” notes Dr. Allison Petrini, a reproductive endocrinologist at Texas Fertility Center in Austin, Texas.
Fertility tests for men generally involve a sperm analysis, which can indicate the health and viability of a person’s sperm.
A semen analysis looks at many factors, according to Lab Tests Online UK. The three main ones to know about are:
- sperm count (how many sperm there are)
- motility (how the sperm move)
- morphology (how the sperm are shaped)
“At-home semen analysis testing will tell you if there’s sperm in the ejaculate,” Kallen says. “Many will provide sperm quantity, but most won’t tell you if the sperm are moving (motility).”
In other words, at-home semen analyses are not usually as detailed as doctor-ordered tests. Still, they can provide information as a starting point for people concerned about sperm count and quality.
At Healthline, we thoroughly vet any product we recommend for:
- medical credibility
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We put each product through our vetting process, which considers, among other criteria:
- the scientific evidence backing the product
- industry best practices
- third-party validation
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and warnings
When researching at-home fertility tests, we read online reviews to determine the best tests on the market. We looked through reviews to get a sense of their accuracy, ease of use, and overall user experience.
We also asked fertility doctors Kallen and Petrini for their input on what to look for.
If someone is exploring using a send-out test, Kallen says she would look for an FDA-approved test performed in a
Fertility tests for women
| Modern Fertility | LetsGetChecked | Mira | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $179 | $139 | $199 |
| What’s tested | AMH, TSH, FSH, estradiol, free thyroxine, prolactin, LH | FSH, LH, prolactin, estradiol | LH, estrogen |
| Results | 7–10 days | 5 days | 15 minutes |
Fertility tests for men
| Legacy | Labcorp OnDemand | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $395 | $199 |
| What’s tested | sperm volume, count, concentration, motility, morphology | sperm volume and concentration |
| Results | 24 hours | 6 minutes |
With so many options available, it can be difficult to know which at-home fertility test to choose.
The first step is figuring out what information you want to learn.
- If you want a wider analysis of hormones, Modern Fertility could be a suitable option.
- If you’re looking for help tracking when ovulation, Mira, or an ovulation prediction kit, could be the better option. Keep in mind that ovarian reserve testing is not recommended for people without fertility issues as a way to determine whether to freeze your eggs or not. It’s also not predictive of future infertility in those who are currently fertile.
- If you’re looking to have sperm assessed and want storage for a possible IVF treatment, the Legacy kit may be a good fit.
There’s no perfect choice for everyone because what’s best for you will depend on what you’re looking to have assessed. You can talk with a doctor if you want help figuring out what option is best for you.
At-home fertility testing isn’t necessarily better than in-person testing. There are pros and cons to weigh before you make a decision.
Pros of at-home fertility testing
- You can get results without having to leave the comfort of your home.
- If you don’t have insurance, at-home tests may be more affordable than in-clinic options paid out of pocket.
Cons of at-home fertility testing
- For those with insurance, at-home tests may be more expensive than in-clinic options covered by insurance.
- The tests aren’t reliable for everyone. For example, if your hormone levels are outside of expected ranges, tests that depend on specific hormones (like ovulation tests) may be less accurate.
- The tests may not be accurate for people with health conditions that affect reproduction like PCOS.
- Results may be inaccurate if you do not follow the specific directions for your test.
- Some tests may include results that aren’t indicators of infertility, such as prolactin if you have normal menses or ovarian reserve testing for fertile women.
At-home fertility testing provides a broad overview of your reproductive status. However, it’s best to follow up with a medical expert for a complete fertility evaluation and explore underlying factors contributing to infertility.
Essentially, at-home kits provide estimates rather than accurate figures tailored to your situation, and they cannot diagnose concerns. Although at-home tests may provide useful information, many people also need to see a fertility expert for guidance.
Generally, it’s recommended to try to conceive for about 1 year before meeting with a fertility doctor for help conceiving.
If a condition that affects fertility is present, such as PCOS, endometriosis, or a partner with fertility issues, it’s
Women over 35 years old who have not conceived after 6 months and women who are over 40 years old may want to meet with a fertility doctor sooner than 1 year.
If you have any questions about your reproductive health, don’t hesitate to talk with a doctor.
Are at-home fertility tests accurate?
“I would consider at-home testing a potential supplement, rather than a replacement, for testing and evaluation in a clinic,” Kallen says.
Petrini agrees, noting that measuring hormone levels alone isn’t the best way to evaluate whether a person with a uterus will conceive without assistance.
“There are many factors that may cause infertility in addition to hormones, including uterine abnormalities, endometriosis, problems with fallopian tubes, or even male factors,” Petrini explains.
“While these types of at-home tests have encouraged more women to talk and think about fertility (and given some women access to tests who may not have a fertility specialist nearby), it’s best not to derive any conclusions from them,” she adds.
What are the signs of infertility in women?
In people with uteri, signs of infertility can include not getting pregnant after 1 year of trying if under 35 years old, or not getting pregnant after 6 months of trying if older than 35. Difficulty staying pregnant may also be a sign of infertility.
How is a woman’s fertility tested?
Before testing your fertility, a doctor will ask about your medical history, including menstrual and pregnancy history, birth control usage, medications, and lifestyle factors.
Initial fertility testing may include checking your ovulation and ovarian function. If you have been tracking your ovulation using a fertility monitor, share that information with a doctor.
Additional tests to check for fertility may include a number of hormone tests and an ultrasound of your uterus and ovaries.
What should women know before taking an at-home fertility test?
First, know that an at-home hormone test can’t fully evaluate you for infertility.
“These don’t evaluate the many other causes of infertility, such as tubal blockage, uterine problems, or male factor infertility,” Kallen says. “Ovarian reserve testing is generally not recommended in women who aren’t infertile or who have untested fertility. The testing doesn’t predict reproductive potential or fertility…and can cause a false sense of alarm.”
Also, it’s important to follow the instructions included in the at-home fertility test very carefully, Petrini says. This is because some hormones need to be checked on a certain day of your cycle for correct interpretation.
What should men know before taking an at-home fertility test?
It’s best to avoid sperm tests that look only at whether sperm is present or absent.
According to Kallen, sperm testing in a credentialed laboratory by a trained andrologist gives you much more information, such as morphology, volume of the ejaculate, the pH of the ejaculate, and more.
“These are critical factors in determining whether the sperm is adequate to fertilize an egg (and identifying whether male factor infertility is an issue),” she says.
Is it OK to take an at-home fertility test out of curiosity?
Maybe.
“Couples who have just started trying to conceive might find some reassurance in an at-home test or could potentially identify a problem a bit earlier,” Kallen says.
But for couples who need a more thorough infertility workup — such as those ages 35 and under who have been trying for more than a year or those ages 35 and over who have been trying for more than 6 months — she suggests skipping the at-home testing and heading into the clinic.
Overall, Petrini recommends thinking of at-home testing as a complement to, not a substitute for, the services offered by fertility specialists.
“While the potential for easier testing and evaluation is exciting, if you want a clear diagnosis, a comprehensive in-office evaluation is necessary,” she explains.
Is there anyone who shouldn’t take an at-home fertility test?
If you’re having trouble getting pregnant, you shouldn’t use the test to draw conclusions about your fertility, Petrini advises.
Instead, visit a fertility clinic or talk with your healthcare professional about getting a referral for in-person fertility testing.
At-home fertility testing is an exciting new development that can help people feel empowered to learn more about their fertility.
At the same time, experts emphasize that it’s not a replacement for medical advice and testing with your healthcare professional. The at-home fertility test that’s right for you will depend on your reasons for testing and what information you hope to gain.
Julia Malacoff is a London-based freelance editor and writer who covers all things health and wellness. She’s a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach. When she’s not writing, there’s a good chance she’s walking her two cocker spaniels.
