Getting a basic fertility checkup before beginning home insemination is one of the most empowering things you can do. You do not need an extensive workup to start trying, but knowing the basics of your reproductive health gives you a clearer picture of what you are working with and can inform smarter decisions about timing, approach, and when to escalate care. Here is what is worth asking for.
Blood Tests Worth Requesting
The most informative blood tests for a pre-conception fertility checkup include AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone), which estimates ovarian reserve; FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and estradiol, typically tested on day 2 or 3 of your cycle to assess ovarian function; LH, which helps identify hormonal imbalances; and a thyroid panel including TSH, free T3, and free T4. Thyroid dysfunction is one of the most common and treatable causes of cycle irregularity and fertility challenges.
If there is any concern about PCOS or hormonal imbalance, your doctor may also check testosterone, DHEA-S, and prolactin. For those over 35, an AMH test is particularly valuable because it provides a sense of how much time you have before ovarian reserve declines significantly. None of these tests tell you whether you will get pregnant — they provide information about the landscape you are working in.
Imaging and Structural Evaluation
A transvaginal ultrasound can reveal structural factors that might affect fertility or insemination success, including fibroids, polyps, ovarian cysts, and signs of PCOS. It can also count antral follicles (small developing follicles visible in the ovaries), which is another way to estimate ovarian reserve alongside AMH. This imaging test is brief, typically not painful, and extremely informative.
If there is any history of pelvic infection, endometriosis, previous ectopic pregnancy, or abdominal surgery, your doctor may also want to evaluate whether the fallopian tubes are open — a test called hysterosalpingography or HSG. Blocked tubes cannot be addressed by home insemination, as fertilization occurs in the tubes. Knowing about this factor before investing in multiple cycles is valuable, though not everyone needs this test before starting.
Infectious Disease and General Health Testing
A pre-conception workup should also include routine STI screening (including HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis), rubella immunity, and varicella immunity. If you are not immune to rubella or varicella, vaccination before pregnancy is important — and you should wait the recommended interval after vaccination before trying to conceive.
General health markers like a complete blood count, blood pressure, blood glucose, and a review of any medications you are taking are also worth addressing. Certain medications are not safe during pregnancy and may need to be changed or adjusted before you begin trying. A pre-conception visit is an ideal time to have this review done with your doctor.
Making Sense of Your Results
Receiving fertility test results can feel overwhelming, particularly if any values fall outside the normal range. Remember that a single test result is never the whole story, and abnormal values do not automatically mean pregnancy is impossible or unlikely. Many people with low AMH, high FSH, or other imperfect markers have successful pregnancies — including with home insemination.
Ask your doctor to explain what your results mean for your specific situation and what, if any, next steps they recommend before you begin. If you want a deeper analysis than your general practitioner can provide, a reproductive endocrinologist is the appropriate specialist for this evaluation. Many REs now offer single consultation appointments without requiring commitment to a full treatment program, which can be a wonderful way to get expert input while still planning to start at home.
For a complete at-home insemination solution, the MakeAmom Babymaker Kit includes everything you need for a properly timed, sterile ICI cycle.
Further reading across our network: MakeAmom.com · IntracervicalInseminationKit.info · Mosie.baby
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your fertility care.