Infertility testing is a combination of tests that help couples evaluate why they are having difficulty conceiving. These tests may include physical exams, blood tests, semen analysis, or ultrasounds. They are important as they help identify the exact cause of infertility for personalised treatments.

Age-related decline in egg or sperm quality and hormonal issues are the common causes of infertility in both men and women. Other causes may include lifestyle habits like smoking, excessive alcohol, or drug use. Apart from this, male infertility may also occur due to low sperm count, poor sperm health, and genetic conditions. Similarly, for women, other causes include ovulation disorders like PCOD, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, and uterine abnormalities.

Women can check their fertility health through blood tests. These tests check for the levels of hormones like Follicle Stimulating Hormone that play a role in the proper functioning of the reproductive system. They can also help determine egg reserve and ovarian function. Your doctor may also suggest ultrasounds to check for issues like blockages in the fallopian tubes.

Yes, you can test for infertility at home. Men may use home sperm test kits to get an idea of their sperm count. Similarly, women can track ovulation with test strips or digital kits. However, these only give partial insights. For proper evaluation, you can choose diagnostic facilities like LifeCell Diagnostics. They offer convenient at-home sample collection services, where your samples are picked up and analysed in a lab. This ensures accurate results without the need for multiple clinic visits.

A couple should consider infertility testing if they are unable to conceive even after 12 months of unprotected sex. This timeline is six months for women aged 35 or older. In case you are 40 or older, immediate testing is recommended for evaluation and treatment. Apart from this, women may also consider testing for infertility risk factors like irregular periods and endometriosis. For men, these factors include testicular trauma, sexual dysfunction, hernia surgery, etc.

The cost of infertility testing can vary depending on the panel you choose. Single tests like the Anti-Sperm Antibody test start at around ₹1,320. Commonly recommended infertility panels for women (such as the Ayushman Female Infertility or PCOD panels) range between ₹2,399 and ₹3,999. More comprehensive evaluations, such as the Infergene Infertility Panel for both males and females, cost around ₹25,000. So, on average, couples can expect infertility testing to cost anywhere from ₹2,500 to ₹5,000 for standard panels, while advanced, in-depth panels may go much higher.

The duration of infertility testing depends on the type and number of tests recommended. Basic infertility or PCOD panels are usually ready within 14 hours to 3 days. Single tests like Anti-Sperm Antibody take about 9 days. For a more comprehensive evaluation, such as the Infergene Infertility Panel for Male & Female, reports may take up to 22 days.

Infertility treatments today are quite effective. However, outcomes may vary depending on your age and the type of treatment you opt for. For instance, ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination can work for younger women. However, IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) offers higher success rates, especially in women under 35. IVF is also the preferred first-line option for women over 38 or in cases where severe infertility factors are involved.