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At-Home Fertility Test Recs from the Group Chat

The TL;DR on our favorite kits.

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Katherine Gruneisen, Savannah Gray Woo, Shane Dunau & Savannah Moss
March 07, 2024

Today, we're diving into at-home fertility tests. We like to think of fertility tests as tools for getting the inside scoop on your reproductive health. When we started our research, the amount of choices left us "not ready to commit," so we are breaking it down for you group chat style.

There are tons of fertility tests out there, from hormone checks to ovulation trackers to sperm tests. In this edition, we're spotlighting the ones that provide an ovary check-up to make sure your ovaries are functioning properly and provide a peek into your ovarian reserve, which measures the number of eggs in your ovaries (more on that in our “What Happens to Your Fertility Over Time?” newsletter!) This can be a great data point for planning your future fertility journey. 

Before you stock up, know that these tests are most accurate for our gals with regular cycles since most of the tests need to be timed with your period. If you're on hormonal birth control or have health concerns, it's always wise to chat with your doc before diving in. Also, at the bottom of this email, we included a handy guide to better understand what each of the tested hormones do for your fertility.

Now, onto the fun part—our top picks!

Best Entry Level: This at-home blood test captures the levels of five hormones including Estradiol, LH, FSH, TSH and Testosterone (more on why those hormones are important at the bottom of the email.) They share the results digitally with helpful charts that compare your levels to the medical standard. 

Best Hormone Deep Dive: For the folks on hormonal birth control, Modern Fertility tests allow you to take a sneak peek into your fertility with the addition of AMH and TSH monitoring. Since neither of these hormones are affected by hormonal birth control and the others are, this may be a good option for you! Just send in a small blood sample from a fingerstick, and let the lab work do its magic. 

Best Bloodless Option: If you don’t like blood and needles, this one's for you! All it takes is some simple urine tests to check key hormones like FSH, E1G, LH, and PdG to give you the lowdown on your fertility. Plus, they've got a nifty app that tells you exactly when to take each test. Just a heads up, though: only buy this one if you are ready to commit because you will need to take a test every few days for a total of 20 tests during the 1-month cycle. You’ll also need to share your results with your doctor on your own, unlike the other two that are physician-reviewed before releasing results.

Want to learn more about hormones?

The tests we like will measure a couple different hormones to create a holistic picture of your fertility. Some of these hormones do more than what’s listed here — this is just the punch line! We’ve divided them into two categories: 1) ovarian function and reserve measures and 2) ovulation measures. 

Ovarian Function & Reserve Measures:

If you want to check in and make sure the equipment works.

Ovulation Measures:

If you want to conceive, these tell you when to start “trying” ;)

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) helps regulate the menstrual cycle and measures if ovaries are working properly. 

Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) regulates follicular growth and which eggs get released during ovulation. It is the preferred indicator of your ovarian reserve.

Estrone-3-glucuronide (E1G) is a estrogen metabolite released in the urine that increases as follicles grow before ovulation. It can be a sign of an upcoming ovulation, aka your green light!

Luteinizing Hormone (LH) peaks right before ovulation, indicating the release of the egg from the ovary. A popular indicator that the time is right!

Pregnanediol Glucuronide (PdG) is a urine metabolite of progesterone, and increases if ovulation has occurred. It can be your sign that you’ve successfully ovulated.

Estradiol is a form of estrogen that prepares the uterine lining for pregnancy.

Prolactin can decrease odds of pregnancy if elevated.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and other thyroid hormones play roles in your menstrual cycle, including ovulation. 

Testosterone. Yes, you read that right! Testosterone is an important hormone for women, as it helps with bone density, libido, and is converted to estrogen!

So, there you have it, ladies! These at-home fertility tests aren't just tools—they're your partners in crime, your confidantes, and your guides on this wild ride called fertility. 

Upcoming Newsletter Editions:

  • “Egg Freezing 101”

  • “Male Infertility”

  • “Our Recommended Prenatal Vitamins”

Make sure to not miss future editions by subscribing to The Grapevine now!

*The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or any other qualified healthcare provider with questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.