Want To Know Your Egg Count? This At-Home Tests Could Help

As a woman in her early thirties, I find myself thinking about fertility a lot. It's hard not to once you learn an estimated one in six people struggle with fertility issues1.

While I'm not actively trying to conceive, fertility experts like Traditional Chinese Medicine expert Nat Kringoudis recommend kickstarting fertility conversations long before conception. And while my Oura ring was a great first step into understanding my cycle, I wanted a better peek into my fertility without spending a fortune.

Bird&Be's Ovarian Reserve tests were my answer. The affordable at-home strips test your urine for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to detect early signs of a diminishing ovarian reserve—and the results are more than 99% accurate when used correctly.

Bird&Be is a fertility-focused testing and supplement company founded by Breanna Hughes and Samantha Diamond.

The duo conceptualized Bird&Be after dealing firsthand with the frustrations of the fertility journey, per the brand's website. Today Bird&Be offers products for every stage of the fertility process—from education about fertility to postpartum care.

Bird&Be's two main product offerings are vitamins and at-home tests catered to different phases of the fertility journey. Currently, the brand sells 12 vitamins, including a newly launched gummy vitamin prenatal, and four at-home tests.

As someone who isn't trying to have children for at least a few more years, I've actively pushed off meeting with a fertility expert. Yet as more of my friends start to conceive, I've become curious about whether I could get pregnant (rather than my desire to actually do so).

Your body may compensate for a lower egg count by producing more FSH to stimulate ovarian function. Thus, high FSH levels suggest your egg count or ovarian reserve might be dwindling (though it's not a reflection of your actual egg quality).

First things first, you'll need to understand your menstrual cycle to correctly use the Bird&Be tests (which is essential for their accuracy!). You should test FSH levels on the third, fourth, or fifth day of your cycle.

After 10 minutes, you can read the test results by placing the testing strip into the Color Reference Chart to find your FSH estimated levels. Pro tip: Never leave your tests for longer than 15 minutes or it impacts accuracy.

From start to finish, the test was unbelievably easy to take. The hardest part of the process was reading my results—and then understanding what they actually meant.

I did a full 3-day run of Bird&Be's Ovarian Reserve Screening Test for three consecutive months. My goal was to ensure my results were consistent over time (and to monitor for any sudden spikes or drops).

While the test didn't reveal anything concerning—or even uncover a sudden change in my FSH—I discovered my fears about fertility ran deeper than I previously thought.

Seeing my FSH levels stay consistent month over month brought an unexpected serenity about my fertility. Sure, the test wasn't confirming I could or even would get pregnant. But it did give me one less thing to worry about as I consider my future.

Whether you're at the start, middle, or end of your fertility journey, Bird&Be's lineup offers affordable at-home tests that deliver accurate results in record times.