Fertility Testing for Women
A woman’s fertility evaluation is designed to assess the key factors that influence her ability to conceive: ovarian reserve, hormonal function, and reproductive anatomy. Our specialists use the following diagnostics to build a complete and individualized picture of each patient’s fertility health:
- AMH Testing (Anti-Müllerian Hormone): A blood test that can be drawn on any day of the cycle to estimate ovarian reserve, or the quantity of eggs remaining. AMH is one of the most informative and widely used markers in fertility evaluation and treatment planning.
- Day 3 FSH & Estradiol Panel: Bloodwork drawn on the third day of the menstrual cycle to assess follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels, which reflect baseline ovarian function and the body’s effort to stimulate egg development.
- Transvaginal Ultrasound: A standard imaging study used to evaluate uterine and ovarian anatomy, detect structural abnormalities, and perform an antral follicle count, a key measure of ovarian reserve.
- Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): An X-ray procedure using contrast dye to evaluate the uterine cavity and assess whether the fallopian tubes are open, identifying any blockages or structural irregularities that could affect conception.
- Thyroid & Prolactin Testing: Hormone bloodwork to screen for thyroid dysfunction or elevated prolactin, both of which can disrupt ovulation and cycle regularity.
- Ovulation Monitoring: Assessment of ovulatory function through cycle tracking, progesterone bloodwork, or ultrasound monitoring to confirm ovulation and evaluate its timing and consistency.
At NYU Langone Fertility Center, your evaluation will be tailored to your specific needs. We will recommend testing based on your medical history, symptoms, and reproductive goals. To learn more about what female fertility testing involves, visit our Female Fertility Testing page.
Fertility Testing for Men
Male factor infertility contributes to approximately half of all cases of infertility, yet it is often overlooked until couples have already been trying for some time. A thorough male fertility evaluation is a standard and essential component of any complete workup. NYU Langone Fertility Center offers the following diagnostic assessments for men:
- Semen Analysis: The primary test in male fertility evaluation, measuring sperm count, motility, morphology, and semen volume. Results are compared to established reference ranges to identify any parameters that may be contributing to fertility challenges.
- Hormone Testing: A blood panel assessing testosterone, FSH, LH, prolactin, and other key reproductive hormones to identify hormonal causes of impaired sperm production or function.
- Physical Examination: A clinical assessment by a reproductive urologist to identify structural factors, such as varicocele, obstruction, or testicular abnormalities, that may be affecting fertility.
- Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing: An advanced analysis of sperm DNA integrity, particularly useful in cases of unexplained infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, or repeated IVF failure where standard parameters appear normal.
- Genetic Screening: Testing for chromosomal abnormalities or specific gene mutations – such as Y-chromosome microdeletions or cystic fibrosis variants – that may affect sperm production or reproductive outcomes.
- Repeat Semen Analysis: A follow-up semen analysis is commonly recommended to confirm abnormal findings, as sperm parameters can vary between samples. Repeat testing ensures accuracy before a diagnosis is finalized or treatment is initiated.
Your NYU Langone Fertility Center specialist will recommend a personalized evaluation based on your medical history, symptoms, and family-building goals. To learn more, visit our Male Fertility Testing page.
Genetic Testing
Genetic testing plays an increasingly important role in fertility care, both for identifying inherited conditions that could affect offspring and for improving outcomes in patients undergoing IVF. At NYU Langone Fertility Center, we offer comprehensive genetic testing options as part of an integrated approach to reproductive medicine.
Carrier screening helps determine whether you or your partner carry gene variants for hereditary conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, or sickle cell disease, that could be passed to a child. Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), performed on embryos prior to transfer during an IVF cycle, provides an additional layer of information to guide embryo selection and improve the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy. NYU Langone Fertility Center offers the following PGT options:
- PGT-A (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy): Screens embryos for chromosomal abnormalities such as extra or missing chromosomes, which are a leading cause of implantation failure and miscarriage. Helps identify chromosomally normal embryos for transfer.
- PGT-M (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic Disorders): Tests embryos for specific single-gene conditions — such as cystic fibrosis, BRCA mutations, or Huntington’s disease — for patients who are known carriers or at elevated genetic risk.
- PGT-SR (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Structural Rearrangements): Recommended for patients who carry chromosomal structural rearrangements such as translocations or inversions, helping reduce the risk of miscarriage and chromosomal imbalance in the embryo.
Your Fertility Evaluation: What to Expect
Your first fertility evaluation at NYU Langone Fertility Center is a focused, collaborative appointment designed to gather the information your care team needs to guide next steps. Here is what a typical initial evaluation includes:
- Medical history review: Your provider will take a thorough reproductive and general health history, including prior pregnancies, surgeries, diagnoses, medications, and any previous fertility testing or treatment.
- Discussion of your reproductive goals: Your provider will take time to understand your timeline, priorities, and what you are hoping to achieve – whether that is natural conception, fertility preservation, or treatment with IUI or IVF.
- Physical examination: Depending on your history, a physical or pelvic exam may be performed to assess anatomy and identify any findings that warrant further evaluation.
- Initial diagnostic testing: Appropriate baseline tests, including bloodwork, a transvaginal ultrasound, or a semen analysis for a male partner, will be ordered to begin building your diagnostic picture.
- Clear next steps: By the end of your appointment, you will have a preliminary understanding of your fertility health and a defined plan for what comes next, whether that is additional testing, monitoring, or a discussion of treatment options.
How to Prepare for Your Evaluation:
- Bring any prior fertility test results, imaging reports, lab work, or operative notes that may be relevant to your evaluation.
- Track your menstrual cycle in the weeks leading up to your appointment, noting cycle length, flow, and any symptoms.
- Prepare a complete list of all current medications and supplements, including vitamins and herbal products.
- If your partner will be attending, both of you should be ready to provide individual medical histories.
- Write down any questions you want answered so you leave the appointment fully informed.
- Approach the visit as an information-gathering conversation. There are no wrong answers, and the goal is simply to understand your starting point.