Understanding fertility: where to start

Fertility is your body’s capacity to conceive and sustain a healthy pregnancy over time. It depends on how many eggs remain, how likely they are to be healthy, whether ovulation happens at the right time, and whether the reproductive environment supports implantation. Partner factors also play a role. You do not need to master every detail to make progress. You need a reliable starting point that turns what your body already tells you into decisions you can act on.

Start with your cycle

For two or three cycles, note day 1 of bleeding, your usual cycle length, and any variability. Add simple urine LH strips to identify your likely fertile window. This keeps timing from becoming guesswork and quickly shows whether your cycles look regular or variable. If your cycles are irregular, that is still useful information. It points you toward getting a baseline sooner and having a plan that fits your timeline.

If you are not trying to conceive, LH strips can still be a short-term learning tool. One or two cycles of testing can show whether you appear to ovulate consistently and what your typical pattern looks like. After you learn your rhythm, you can stop. If you are using hormonal contraception, skip LH strips since they will not reflect a natural ovulation pattern. In that case, cycle logs plus a focused hormone baseline are more helpful.

Build a sensible baseline

A few hormones add context without overwhelming you. Measured together, they help you understand where you are starting and what to do next.

Core fertility hormones

• AMH: practical read on ovarian reserve
• FSH and estradiol: early cycle signals that add context about brain and ovary communication
• LH: helps you understand ovulation signaling over time

These markers do not promise whether you will or will not get pregnant, and they should not be read in isolation. Their value is in planning: deciding when to try, whether to explore egg freezing, and when to recheck.

Whole-health labs matter too. Thyroid function, vitamin D status, and markers related to insulin resistance can influence cycle regularity and how you feel day to day. They are not part of Strawberry’s panels, but if you have symptoms or risk factors, they are worth discussing with your clinician. Your Strawberry report is written to make that conversation straightforward.

Turn insight into action with Strawberry

If you prefer to begin at home, Strawberry makes it straightforward. Tests are completed at home, reviewed by clinicians, and explained in plain English. After testing, every member receives a Personalized Fertility Timeline that shows how fertility may change over time based on age and hormone levels, with guidance on when to recheck or speak with a specialist.

Choose the panel that fits your goal

• Ovarian Reserve Blood Test (AMH): a quick look at egg quantity to guide planning or an egg freezing consult
• Fertility Blood Test (AMH, FSH, Estradiol): adds cycle context when you are deciding when to try or freeze
• Women’s Health Panel: a broader hormone view when you want fertility insight alongside energy, sleep, mood, training, and symptoms

Make the results work for you

If you are trying soon, use your LH window to focus your efforts and set a personal check-in point so you do not lose time. If you are considering egg freezing, pair AMH with a specialist consult to discuss likely response and timing. If you are planning ahead, re-test annually or when your plans change so you can spot shifts early.

What to do next

If you want a fast answer, start with the Ovarian Reserve Blood Test. If you want timing guidance for trying or for egg freezing, choose the Fertility Blood Test. If you prefer to connect fertility with your wider hormone picture, the Women’s Health Panel is the best fit. Whichever path you choose, you will get understandable results, your Personalized Fertility Timeline, and practical next steps that support your decisions without pressure.