Patient Guide

What to Expect During Fertility Evaluation & Treatment

If you're beginning fertility care, you can expect a step-by-step process — starting with an evaluation of both partners, then a discussion of the options that suit your situation. This guide explains what to expect at each stage of fertility care with Dr. Nasreen Ashfaq in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.

Your first fertility consultation

The first visit is a conversation about your history — how long you've been trying, your cycles, general health and lifestyle — for both partners, since fertility involves both. Dr. Nasreen Ashfaq then explains the evaluation ahead and answers your questions, so you know what the next steps involve.

The evaluation process

Evaluation assesses both partners and typically includes:

For the woman — hormone and ovulation tests, an ultrasound scan of the uterus and ovaries, and a tubal test such as an HSG to check the fallopian tubes.
For the man — a semen analysis, a simple and important first test.
The initial work-up is usually completed within about a 1–2 cycle timeframe, depending on which tests are needed.

After the evaluation — discussing your options

Once the findings are in, they're explained clearly, and the options are discussed together. Depending on your situation these may include lifestyle and timing guidance, ovulation induction, IUI, or IVF (with referral to a specialist centre where needed). The right approach is based on your full assessment, not age alone. As a rough guide, an IUI cycle typically spans a 2–3 week window and a full IVF cycle around 4–6 weeks.

Questions worth bringing

What could be affecting our fertility?
What tests do we both need, and what will they tell us?
What are our options, and what would suit our situation?
What are the benefits and any risks of each option?
What are the realistic timelines for each step?
When would referral for advanced treatment be considered?

A note on support

Fertility care can be an emotional journey as well as a medical one. You're encouraged to ask questions, take time over decisions, and move at a pace that feels right for you — with clear guidance at each step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do both partners need to be tested?

Yes. Fertility involves both partners, and a semen analysis for the male partner is a simple, important first test done alongside the woman's evaluation.

How long does the evaluation take?

The initial work-up — history, blood tests, an ultrasound, a tubal test and a semen analysis — usually takes about 1–2 menstrual cycles.

Will we definitely need IVF?

Not necessarily. Many couples conceive with simpler steps such as lifestyle support or ovulation induction. IVF is one option, considered when it is the right next step.