Should You Book a Fertility MOT Before Trying to Conceive?

6th October 2017 in Fertility

Read Time: 4 mins

This information was correct at the time of publishing. It may not reflect our current practices, prices or regulations.

There are many causes of infertility, and in some cases, the solution may be simpler than you think. Just because you haven't become pregnant yet doesn't automatically mean you need IVF treatment.

At Manchester Fertility, a leading fertility clinic in the UK, we investigate all potential causes of male and female infertility before recommending any fertility treatment.

Sometimes, improving your understanding of your fertility, ovulation cycle, and fertile window can significantly increase your chances of conception. Our fertility consultants don't only support patients with diagnosed infertility. Still, they also help individuals and couples who are trying to start a family and want expert advice on how to get pregnant naturally.

Here's our expert guidance on improving your chances of conception and how our fertility specialists can help you achieve a natural pregnancy or, where needed, access the most appropriate fertility treatment.

Ovulation Tracking and Understanding Your Fertile Window

When you're trying to conceive, timing is crucial. Your fertile window typically lasts only a few days each month, and sperm survives for a limited period, so understanding when you're most fertile can maximise your chances of pregnancy.

For many couples, difficulty getting pregnant is simply a matter of timing intercourse around ovulation.

If you have a regular 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation usually occurs between days 10 and 14 after the start of your period. However, every woman is different. Your cycle may be shorter, longer or irregular, making ovulation more difficult to predict.

Using ovulation prediction kits can help identify your most fertile days. These simple tests detect the hormone surge that occurs just before an egg is released and are widely available from pharmacies and supermarkets.

Not Getting Pregnant? Consider Lifestyle Factors That Affect Fertility

If ovulation tests confirm you're ovulating but pregnancy hasn't happened after several months of trying, lifestyle factors could be affecting your fertility.

Research shows that factors such as high BMI, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor nutrition and stress can impact fertility in both men and women.

In some cases, making positive changes to your diet, exercise routine and overall lifestyle may improve your chances of natural conception without the need for fertility treatment.

However, if you're generally healthy and still struggling to conceive, it may be time to seek professional advice from your GP or book a private fertility consultation with our experienced fertility specialists.

Fertility Consultation and Fertility Testing

Our fertility consultants provide comprehensive fertility services, including expert advice for people who are trying to conceive.

We offer advanced fertility testing for both women and men, designed to identify the most common causes of infertility and provide clear recommendations on the next steps.

Early fertility testing can help you understand your reproductive health and avoid unnecessary delays in achieving pregnancy.

Fertility MOT: Understand Your Fertility Health

Our Fertility Assessments are a comprehensive fertility assessment designed to evaluate your current fertility and identify any potential issues that could affect your ability to conceive naturally.

The Fertility MOT includes:

  • Ultrasound scans
  • Hormone blood tests
  • Ovarian reserve testing
  • Semen analysis for male fertility assessment

All testing can typically be completed within a single menstrual cycle.

Whether you're actively trying for a baby or planning for the future, a Fertility MOT can provide valuable insight into your reproductive health and help you understand whether fertility treatment may be required later.

Following your assessment, you'll receive a detailed fertility consultation with one of our fertility experts. We'll explain your results, advise how to improve your chances of getting pregnant naturally and, where necessary, recommend the most effective fertility treatment options.

Fertility Treatment Options Beyond IVF

Although IVF is one of the most well-known fertility treatments, it is not always the first or most appropriate option.

At Manchester Fertility, we take a personalised approach to care and only recommend IVF when it offers the best chance of success.

Depending on your diagnosis, there may be other fertility treatment options available before IVF is considered.

Our fertility specialists will discuss all available options with you and provide a transparent, fully costed treatment plan tailored to your individual circumstances.

Book a Private Fertility Consultation

If you're looking for expert advice on getting pregnant, are concerned about your fertility, or would like comprehensive fertility testing, our experienced team is here to help.

Book a private fertility consultation, Fertility assessment by calling 0161 958 6113.

You can also self-refer online at any time, and a member of our team will contact you to discuss your next steps towards parenthood.

Last updated: 10th June 2026

Dr Anamika Rao - Senior Fertility Consultant
About the author

Dr Anamika Rao

Senior Fertility Consultant

Dr Anamika Rao is our Fertility Consultant with 20 years of experience in Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Infertility and Early pregnancy. She …

Read more