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Fertility tests: how to check when you’re fertile at home
Written byMedico Digital
Reviewed byDr Shazia Malik
If you're hoping to get pregnant, tracking your fertility is key. Did you know that at-home tests can help pinpoint your most fertile days to maximise your chances of success?
Summary
1What are the signs of fertility in women?
To get pregnant, your ovaries need to release an egg (ovulate), which then needs to be fertilised by sperm…
2Can you check if you’re fertile at home?
Yes – tracking your fertility at home can be done in various ways, including using an ovulation predictor kit or tracking your basal body temperature…
3Are at-home ovulation tests accurate?
While at-home testing kits can be great for tracking your cycle, they’re perhaps not as good for predicting when you’re at your most fertile…
From app-linked thermometers to instant-result ovulation sticks, at-home tests that help predict when you’re most fertile are at your fingertips.
So what tests can you use and when and how should you use them to help increase your chances of getting pregnant?
We’re giving you the complete lowdown on at-home fertility tests to help you hit the bullseye in your baby-making journey.
What are the signs of fertility in women?
To get pregnant, your ovaries need to release an egg (ovulate), which then needs to be fertilised by sperm.1,2
If you’re trying for a baby, knowing whether you’re ovulating each month and when can help you better understand your fertility and improve your chances of getting pregnant.
The key signs that suggest you’re ovulating every month include having regular menstrual cycles and experiencing symptoms associated with ovulation.3-6
It’s important to know that cycle lengths vary from person to person. While the average cycle lasts around 28 days, cycles ranging from 21 to 35 days are considered normal, or regular.2,4 If you have a ‘normal’ cycle, it’s a good indicator that you're likely ovulating each month.
Symptoms around your expected time of ovulation can also be a good sign that you’re fertile.
Signs and symptoms of ovulation include:
- pain and bloating – you might feel some mild cramping in one side of your tummy (known as ovulation pain or Mittelschmerz)5,7
- changes in cervical mucus – just before ovulation, your discharge may become more noticeable and have a thin, slippery and stretchy consistency, like raw egg white5
- changes in body temperature – your basal body temperature (BBT) rises by 0.2°C to 0.5°C just after ovulation (more on this later)5,6,8
- breast tenderness – hormonal changes cause some women to experience breast pain around the time of ovulation5,9
- light bleeding – you may have some light vaginal bleeding (spotting) during ovulation7
Symptoms like pain around ovulation are often normal, but sometimes these changes may be a symptom of something more serious, such as endometriosis or a sexually transmitted infection.5 If you’re worried or if the pain is severe, check with a doctor.5
The exact day of ovulation will depend on the length of your cycle and is difficult to pinpoint, but it usually happens around the middle, about 10 to 16 days before your next period.1,2,5 Learn more about ovulation and when you’re most fertile in our guide to ovulation and fertility.
What are the signs of fertility in men?
When it comes to male fertility, sperm quality and lifestyle influences are key.
The quality of sperm is measured using various key parameters, including viability (the percentage of live sperm found in a semen sample), motility (the ability of sperm to swim to fertilise an egg) and shape.10,11
Can you check if you’re fertile at home?
Yes – tracking your fertility at home can be done in various ways, including using an ovulation predictor kit or tracking your basal body temperature (BBT).8
Becoming more in tune with your body can also increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Keeping track of your more noticeable physical symptoms throughout the month can help you predict not only when your period will start, but also when you’re likely to ovulate. You can read more about the benefits of cycle tracking and how to do it in our guide.
Your BBT is your body’s temperature when you’re fully at rest. As we’ve already mentioned, a rise in BBT of 0.2°C to 0.5°C is a key indicator that you have ovulated.5,6,9
Taking your temperature every day as soon as you wake up and tracking it in a dedicated app, or even on your regular calendar, can help confirm whether you’re ovulating each cycle.5,6,9
It might take recording your daily temperature for a few cycles to help you find a pattern in when you tend to ovulate.5,6
Your menstrual cycle is controlled by changes in several different hormones. Luteinising hormone (LH) is one of the key hormones that stimulate ovulation. Ovulation predictor kits detect an increase, or surge, in the level of LH in your pee, which usually happens 24 to 36 hours before ovulation.5,9,13
When the level of LH in your pee has reached a certain level, the test will show you a positive result, indicating that you’ll be most fertile within the next 24 to 36 hours.5,9,13
Are at-home ovulation tests accurate?
While at-home testing kits can be great for tracking your cycle, they’re perhaps not as good for predicting when you’re at your most fertile.
Tracking your BBT can help you estimate when ovulation has occurred, but it’s a time-consuming method that’s not very precise. A rise in your BBT will indicate that ovulation has happened, but only one or two days after the fact.6,8
While this can reassure you that you’re ovulating, it’s less helpful in pinpointing your most fertile days.6,8 BBT readings can also be affected by other things, like if you have a fever, so may not always be reliable.6
While there’s not a lot of evidence to show that using these kits improves conception rates, they do give you a clearer idea of when you’ll ovulate.5 Unlike BBT tracking, these tests can help you identify the days when you’re most likely to get pregnant before they’ve been and gone.8,13
When to start using ovulation tests
To get the most accurate insights from measuring your BBT, you need to take your temperature the same way, at the same time, every single day and record it in an app or on a calendar.14
Some people find ovulation test kits easier to use. You simply pee on a test stick or dip it into a fresh sample of collected urine each day in the three to five days leading up to when you think you’ll ovulate.5,9,13
Signs of fertility problems
While some people get pregnant quickly, it can take longer for others. If you haven’t conceived after a year of trying, the NHS recommends checking in with your GP.
They’ll be able to assess your fertility using accurate medical tests such as blood work and ultrasounds. They can also help you decide whether at-home testing might support your journey to getting pregnant.
Signs of fertility problems in women include:4,15,16
- not becoming pregnant within a year of trying
- irregular periods (cycles that are shorter than 21 or longer than 35 days)
- no periods
- heavy periods
- severe period pain
- pain in your pelvis
- bleeding during or after sex
Signs of fertility problems in men include changes in semen and sperm and problems with ejaculation.17
It’s important to remember that fertility issues can be complex, so speak to your GP if you have any worries.
The final say
We hope this information has given you a clearer understanding of how to test your fertility at home to support your chances of getting pregnant.
Remember, everyone's fertility journey is different, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach. But, each cycle offers a new opportunity, and with the right knowledge and support, you’re setting yourself up for success.
For more pre-conception, pregnancy and post-pregnancy tips and insights, check out our pregnancy hub.
The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
While we strive for accuracy and balance, please be aware that this article may discuss products available for purchase through Holland & Barrett. Consult a healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.
1. British Fertility Society. When in the month are women and men most fertile? [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 6]. Available from: https://www.britishfertilitysociety.org.uk/fei/when-are-women-men-most-fertile/
2. NHS. Periods and fertility in the menstrual cycle [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 6]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/fertility-in-the-menstrual-cycle/
3. Tommy’s. Understanding your menstrual cycle [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 6]. Available from: https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-a-pregnancy/how-to-get-pregnant/understanding-your-menstrual-cycle
4. NHS. Irregular periods [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 6]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irregular-periods/
5. Tommy’s. Ovulation and fertility [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 6]. Available from: https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-a-pregnancy/how-to-get-pregnant/ovulation-and-fertility
6. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Fertility awareness-based methods of family planning [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 6]. Available from: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/fertility-awareness-based-methods-of-family-planning
7. NHS. Ovulation pain [Internet]. [cited 2024 Oct 30]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ovulation-pain/
8. MSD Manuals. Overview of infertility [Internet]. [cited 2024 Oct 30]. Available from: https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/infertility-and-recurrent-miscarriage/overview-of-infertility
9. MSD Manuals. Menstrual cycle [Internet]. [cited 2024 Oct 30]. Available from: https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/biology-of-the-female-reproductive-system/menstrual-cycle
10. Sunder M, Leslie SW. Semen analysis. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564369/
11. Durairajanayagam D. Lifestyle causes of male infertility. Arab J Urol. 2018;16(1):10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aju.2017.12.004
12. Tommy’s. How to improve male fertility and sperm quality [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 6]. Available from: https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-a-pregnancy/are-you-ready-to-conceive/how-improve-male-fertility
13. MedlinePlus. Ovulation home test [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 6]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007062.htm
14. Planned Parenthood. What’s the temperature method of FAMs? [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 6]. Available from: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/fertility-awareness/whats-temperature-method-fams
15. NHS. Infertility [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 6]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infertility/
16. British Fertility Society. What are the signs and symptoms of infertility? [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 6]. Available from: https://www.britishfertilitysociety.org.uk/fei/what-are-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-infertility/
17. NHS. Causes of infertility [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 6]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infertility/causes/
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