Under 35: after a year of trying
A year of regular sex without contraception is the usual point to get checked, for both of you.
FIRST CONSULTATION
The first visit is for finding out, not for signing up.
Many couples wait months longer than they need to, because nobody told them what the first step involves. Here it is, all of it.
You come in together. We listen to both of you, scan, and plan the first tests for both partners. Many couples don't need IVF. Let's check both of you first.
On this page
- When should we see a fertility doctor?
- Your first consultation, step by step.
- The first round: both of you, every time.
- What to bring on the day.
- How long it takes
- The first round is the cheapest part, and it decides the rest.
- After the first visit: a plan in writing.
- What couples worry about before the first visit.
- In their words, not ours.
- Before your first visit.
- Where to next
- Start with a check-up, for both of you.
When should we see a fertility doctor?
Most guidelines agree on the timing. If you are unsure, come in: a check-up closes off nothing.
35 and over: after six months
From 35, time matters more. Don't wait the full year.
40 and over: come now
Egg reserve and egg quality fall faster after 40. Start the tests straight away, not after a waiting period.
Any of these: come now, at any age
Irregular or absent periods, known PCOS or endometriosis, past pelvic surgery or infection, two or more miscarriages, a known semen problem, or past cancer treatment for either of you.
Your first consultation, step by step.
This is what happens, in order. Nothing is decided on the day unless you want it to be.
Message us and pick a time
WhatsApp us or call. Choose Neelankarai (off ECR), Thiruporur (on OMR) or, if you live abroad, a video consultation. Send photos of old reports if you have them.
We read your reports before you arrive
The team goes through anything you sent, so your time with the doctor is spent on you, not on catching up.
Both of you tell your story
How long you've tried, her periods, past pregnancies or losses, surgery, his health and medicines, and anything already tried. It is unhurried. Ask every question you came with.
Examination and scan
A pelvic ultrasound (usually internal, a few minutes) looks at the womb, the lining and the ovaries, and counts the small follicles that show egg reserve.
First-round tests for both of you
Blood tests for both partners and a semen analysis, the same day if you can or the same week. A tubes check is booked for the right day of her cycle. Recent reports are reused.
A plan you can take home
When the results are in, the doctor goes through them with both of you and writes down the options, simplest first, with a written price before any treatment starts.
The first round: both of you, every time.
Fertility tests for couples at Jananam: no plan is made until both partners have been checked. A semen analysis is part of the first round, every time.
Only the tests you need. If you had any of these in the last six months, bring the report and it will not be repeated unless it is unclear.
For her
- Pelvic ultrasound with follicle count — Womb, lining, ovaries, and how many eggs are waiting this month.
- AMH (egg reserve) — Estimates how many eggs remain. It says nothing on its own about egg quality.
- Tubes check (HSG or HyCoSy) — At least one open tube is needed for anything short of IVF.
- Thyroid and hormone tests — Thyroid problems are common, silent and easy to correct before pregnancy.
- Rubella immunity — If you are not immune, a vaccine first, then a short wait before trying.
For him
- Semen analysis — Count, movement and shape. One of the simplest tests there is, and it changes the plan more often than couples expect.
- A short history and, if needed, an examination — Past surgery, infections, medicines and heat exposure all matter.
For both
- Blood count and blood sugar — Anaemia and undiagnosed diabetes are worth correcting before treatment, not during it.
- Infection screen (HIV, hepatitis B and C) — Standard before any assisted treatment. It protects you, a pregnancy and anything stored in the lab.
What to bring on the day.
Nothing on this list is required to book. If you have none of it, come anyway.
Both of you
If he can't come to the first visit, come alone and we'll plan his tests. It is quicker when you come together.
Every report you have, for both of you
Blood tests, scans, semen analyses, tube checks, the actual printed reports rather than a summary. The numbers matter.
Treatment records
Prescriptions, IUI or IVF cycle sheets, discharge summaries from any surgery. Had IVF before? Bring the whole file.
Dates
The first day of her last period, and roughly how regular her cycles are.
Your questions, written down
Couples forget half of them in the room. Nobody will look at the clock.
Photo ID
For registration.
Send this list to my partnerHow long it takes
The visit
Allow the morning, including the scan. Allow half a day, including the scan.
The results
Most blood tests come back within a few days. A semen analysis is quick.
The full picture
The tubes check is done at a set point in her cycle, so the full first round usually takes about one cycle.
WHAT IT COSTS TO START
The first round is the cheapest part, and it decides the rest.
We don't put one price on the website, because the tests you need depend on what you already have. The consultation fee is told to you when you book, recent reports are reused so you don't pay twice, and any treatment comes with a written price before it starts. Our 2-minute cost guide shows what usually follows for couples like you.
After the first visit: a plan in writing.
Options, simplest first
Tablets and scans, IUI, or IVF, in the order that makes sense for your tests. Many couples need less than they feared.
The price, before anything starts
A written package price and EMI options, explained before you commit.
A point to stop, agreed early
If treatment is needed, we agree before the first cycle when we would change plan, pause or stop.
Nothing decided today
Take the plan home and talk it over. You can message us with questions afterwards.
The six promises behind this: the Jananam StandardWhat couples worry about before the first visit.
If we go to a fertility centre, we'll end up doing IVF.
ActuallyA first visit commits you to nothing. Many couples leave with tablets and scans, or with reassurance.
Only the woman needs to be tested.
ActuallyMale factors are common, and a semen analysis is one of the simplest tests there is. Both of you, first round.
We should wait the full year first.
ActuallyFrom 35, six months is enough. With irregular periods or a known problem, come now.
If all the tests are normal, nothing can be done.
ActuallyNormal tests are useful news. Unexplained infertility is common, and it is treatable.
In their words, not ours.
Vinith Kumar
· January 2026Special thanks to all the nurses in Jananam they are very caring and supportive, anytime when I call they answer all my questions.
Smi lin
· December 2025Whenever I go for consultation she will always listen our problems carefully and give proper treatment.
King
· October 2025The nurses and staff are very polite, caring, and supportive — they handle each patient with great patience and kindness.
Before your first visit.
What happens at a first fertility consultation?
At a first fertility consultation the doctor takes a history from both of you, does a pelvic scan, and plans the first-round tests for both partners, including a semen analysis. When the results are back, you get the options in writing, simplest first. Nothing is decided on the day.
When should we see a fertility doctor?
See a fertility doctor after a year of trying if the woman is under 35, after six months from 35, and straight away from 40. Come sooner at any age with irregular periods, PCOS, endometriosis, two or more miscarriages or a known semen problem.
Which fertility tests should a couple do first?
A couple's first fertility tests are a pelvic scan, AMH, hormone and thyroid tests and a tubes check for her, a semen analysis for him, and blood and infection tests for both. At Jananam Fertility Centre in Chennai no plan is made until both partners are checked.
Does my husband need to come to the first appointment?
It is better if he does, because decisions affect both of you and his semen analysis belongs in the first round. If he can't come, come alone and we'll plan his tests for another day.
What should I bring to my first fertility consultation?
Bring every report you have for both of you, any treatment records, the date of your last period and your questions written down. If you have no reports, come anyway.
Do we need a referral to book?
No, you do not need a referral. Message us on WhatsApp or call and we'll find a time.
Can the first consultation be done by video?
Yes, for couples who live outside Chennai or abroad, the first consultation can be a video call, with tests done near home where the reports are reliable.
Start with a check-up, for both of you.
Tell us roughly how long you've been trying and which tests you've had, if any. Janvi, Jananam's companion for fertility treatment, replies straight away.