The British Fertility Society has warned that women should have fertility checks at age 25, because so many women are unaware about the natural decline of their fertility as they age.
But when is the right time to have a fertility check? Here we explain what’s involved in a Fertility MOT and why it may be a good idea to have one.
Firstly, the age at which you have such as test is important. If you have a test in your mid-20’s, the results will be different than if you had a test in your mid-30’s. Your fertility status will be better the younger you are, and it changes over time as you age. So a good result at a young age doesn’t mean you’ll be fine to wait years to get pregnant.
Having fertility testing at a younger age can be recommended if you want to know your likely chances of conceiving naturally in the near future. The results will highlight if there are any problems that would prevent natural conception for you or your partner, so that if you do need help in the form of fertility treatment, you’re prepared. It makes you very informed about when is the right time to have your family – if problems are found, you may decide to start your family sooner rather than later.
A Fertility MOT as an older woman is usually undertaken because many women want to know if they’re still able to naturally conceive, or if they’ll need help. Timing here is more pressing because the decline in fertility in your 30’s in rapid, and so many women don’t have the time to just ‘wait and see’ if they get pregnant. Knowing your fertility status at this age can help you make the right choice for you about having a family – you may decide to opt for donor sperm insemination if you’ve not met a partner. Or you may find you need a little extra help such as induction of ovulation, if your ovulation is irregular.
The more informed you are about your fertility status, the more choices you will have about when and how you start your family.
Fertility MOT is available with us either as a full testing, which includes scans to check for issues such as fallopian tube blockages, or a mini MOT. Both types of testing include egg counting – or ovarian reserve testing. This tells you how many eggs you have remaining, which can affect your chances of conceiving both naturally and through IVF. For men, it includes semen analysis to check sperm count and sperm quality.
Fertility MOT checks can be done individually or for couples. You don’t need to be an existing patient to book in for a Fertility MOT, and you don’t need a referral. You can simply make a private appointment at a time to suit you. If you’ve got any questions about whether you should have a Fertility MOT and what’s involved, contact our friendly Patient Advisors on 0161 300 2737.
Last updated: 13th October 2015
