Important clinic announcements

Fertility Testing

Ovulation Cycle Tracking  

Whether it is your natural cycle or for fertility treatment, using regular blood tests and carefully timed ultrasound we can determine whether you are ovulating, confirm the best time for conception or if your treatment is imminent. 

What is cycle tracking?  

Cycle tracking involves regular blood tests starting from day two of the menstrual cycle, then repeating several times throughout the cycle.  The results of these blood tests are closely monitored by our team to help determine the next appropriate course of action during your cycle, as well as by your specialist to ascertain the best treatment option/s for you going forward. 

Who is cycle tracking suitable for?  

Cycle tracking is suitable for anyone wanting to monitor their menstrual cycle to determine whether and when ovulation is occurring. It is also used by patients undertaking fertility treatment to monitor their response and establish the best time for treatment to take place. 

How is cycle tracking done?  

Step 1

A tracking cycle will be prescribed after you have been seen by one of our doctors. Before you do your tracking cycle, make sure you have a review appointment booked with your doctor approximately 6 to 8 weeks later to discuss the results.  

Step 2

Call Fertility North on day 1 of your period and attend a Clinipath Fertility Tracking site for a blood test on the morning of day 2 or 3, as advised by our team.

Step 3

Log into the Fertility North Patient Portal that afternoon for your blood test results and instructions for next steps.

Step 4

Continue with regular blood tests, as instructed via the patient portal. 

Step 5

Ensure you have completed all of the recommended tests. These can include ultrasound, HSG and semen analysis, among others.

Step 6

Attend your review appointment to discuss the outcome of your cycle, as well as results of any other investigations.

Clinipath Fertility Tracking

For patients having fertility tracking blood tests during a cycle, please remember to ensure that the Clinipath collection centre you attend is listed as a fertility tracking site. While other sites will be able to collect your sample, your blood will not be expedited to the laboratory for same-day results.

When collected at a specialist fertility tracking site, your blood test results are received quickly and efficiently, from an accredited and reputable local service.  Our regional remote patients are not forgotten either.  Where available, we will liaise directly with your local pathology service to coordinate your cycle tracking. 

  • Using the QR code located on the back of your blood test form, identify the Clinipath location nearest to you* OR
  • Look up your nearest Clinipath fertility tracking site on their website*
  • Attend before 9.00am on the day/s advised by Fertility North, being sure to take your blood test form with you. 
  • Have your blood sample collected. 
  • On receipt of your SMS, log into your Fertility North Patient Result Portal to receive your results and instructions. 

It really is that simple! 

*Please note that not all Clinipath collection sites offer fertility tracking blood tests on all days.  While other sites will be able to collect your sample, your blood will not be expedited to the laboratory for same-day results.  To ensure same-day processing of your results, please check each site’s listing on the Clinipath website for the phrase “Fertility Tracking“.

Why is cycle tracking used?

In some women, ovulation does not occur regularly or may not occur at all. Such disorders of ovulation can be detected using cycle tracking.  

Additional tests may be necessary to determine the cause, before appropriate treatment can be recommended.  

What do we monitor in an investigative or tracking cycle?

In an investigative cycle, cycle tracking enables Fertility North to closely monitor: 

  • The levels of your reproductive hormones: oestrogen (E2), progesterone (P4), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinising hormone (LH)
  • The growth and development of follicles and the uterine lining (endometrium)  

These results are used to determine whether you are ovulating or what kinds of issues may be impacting your ovulation and to predict which days of your cycle are your most fertile.  

What do we monitor in a treatment cycle?

During a treatment cycle, cycle tracking enables Fertility North to closely monitor your response to treatment as well as the growth and development of follicles and the uterine lining (endometrium) to determine whether:  

  • Treatment is proceeding as it should
  • The dosage of medication requires adjustment
  • The best time for intercourse, insemination or egg retrieval for IVF or ICSI

Want to talk to a fertility expert?  

Our team live and breathe all things fertility. If you would like to learn more about cycle tracking and how it might work for you, please contact us. 

Contact Us

Learn more about fertility  

Our website offers you a wealth of factual, easy to read, evidence-based information on fertility and can direct you to other sources of reliable, accurate information on many topics related to fertility too.

Read our blogs on Fertility  Visit our Information Hub