What are the different fertility screening tests available?

You and your partner have been trying for a baby for a long time but haven’t been able to conceive yet. After some time, you might start worrying about having fertility issues and start thinking about getting yourself checked. According to the doctors, if you and your partner regularly engage in unprotected intercourse for more than 12 months and still haven’t conceived, it might be best to get yourself screened. It is important that both the partners get tested to get to the root cause and fertility screening Singapore offers tests for both males and females.

What to expect when you first visit a doctor?

The doctor will ask you about the following things:

• • How often do the two of you have sex?
• Your birth control history.
• Whether you both have conceived before this.
• If you have been exposed to any radiation.
• About your lifestyle and daily habits.
• Any long-term medications or strong medicines.
• Whether either of you smokes, drink, or participate in consuming any form of drugs.
• Medical history of any serious or long-term disorders or diseases.
• Whether either of you has contracted STD during any period in your life.
• About your periods, the consistency, any irregularity, etc.

After the basic introduction and history are taken, the doctor will suggest certain tests to either of you. The fertility screening Singapore tests vary depending on the doctor’s knowledge and may include some of the following.

Fertility tests for women

These are some of the tests that the female might have to undergo:

• Hysterosalpingogram/subprogram; involves X-rays or ultrasound of all the reproductive organs to check for their health.
• Transvaginal ultrasound: an ultrasound wand is inserted through the vagina to look at it and the cervical canal.
• Hysteroscopy: A thin tube with a camera is inserted into the uterus through the vagina to look closely at the interior.
• Laparoscopy: Small incision is made on the lower abdomen, and a camera is inserted to look at the organs.
• Blood tests to check for different hormones: Hormones play a major role in pregnancy; thus, levels are checked.
• Endometrial biopsy: A piece of uterine tissue is taken and checked for abnormalities.

Fertility test for men

• Sperm count and semen tests: The semen is checked for its composition. The number of sperms, their shape, and motility is also checked.
• Physical exam: To check for varicoceles or any other abnormalities
• Hormone evaluation: To check for testosterone and other important hormones in the blood.
• Genetic testing: Sometimes, the sperms are genetically weak, thereby not penetrating the egg.
• Anti-sperm antibodies: Some men produce antibodies that attack the sperm, thus killing it before it reaches the egg.
• Retrograde ejaculation: Testing for backward ejaculation into the bladder.

Fertility screening is important if you cannot conceive, and after the first check-up, the doctor will suggest the required tests.