Private fertility & trying to conceive clinic in London, same-day women's health.

The timing that actually matters

The fertile window is the five days before ovulation and the day of ovulation itself, and sperm survive up to five days in the reproductive tract. Sex every two to three days throughout the cycle is more effective than trying to pinpoint ovulation, and considerably less stressful. Ovulation predictor kits can help but are not necessary, and daily temperature charting tells you ovulation has already happened rather than that it is coming.

What is tested — female partner

• Blood tests — hormone profile including a day 21 progesterone to confirm ovulation, thyroid function, prolactin, and AMH as a measure of ovarian reserve.
• Pelvic ultrasound — assessing the womb, ovaries and antral follicle count, and looking for fibroids, polyps or polycystic ovaries.
• Rubella immunity, and a chlamydia test, since untreated infection can damage the tubes silently.
• Tubal patency testing — usually HyCoSy or HSG — to check the fallopian tubes are open.
• Cervical screening brought up to date.

What is tested — male partner

• Semen analysis — count, motility, morphology and volume, after two to five days of abstinence.
• Hormone profile where the count is low, including testosterone, LH, FSH and prolactin.
• Scrotal examination and ultrasound where a varicocele or obstruction is suspected.
• Review of medication, supplements and anabolic steroid use — testosterone and anabolic steroids stop sperm production, sometimes for a year or more after stopping.

What improves your chances

What comes next

Depending on findings: treatment to induce ovulation, surgery for fibroids, polyps or endometriosis, treatment of a male factor, intrauterine insemination, or IVF. NHS funding criteria vary considerably between areas and by age, previous children and BMI — worth checking early, since some criteria are time-limited.