What is a Fertility Check?
If you and your partner have tried to get pregnant for over a year with no success, consider a fertility test. The British Fertility Society advises a fertility check at age 25. This is for young women, even those not trying to conceive. They warn that many women don’t know how much their biological clock speeds up with age. Modern career women, skilled at juggling life, feel they can control their fertility. In the UK, 20% of women never have children. This includes those who wanted kids but couldn’t. It’s common! Age is the main factor that affects fertility. So keeping that in mind when planning your life is important. Other modifiable risk factors can harm fertility in both men and women. These include sexually transmitted infections, smoking, and binge drinking. These concepts are not taught in school yet are important facts to know.
A fertility check is a series of diagnostic exams and testing procedures intended to identify possible reasons for someone’s difficulty getting pregnant. It includes a medical history review, physical exams, and other tests that vary for men and women.
What makes fertility evaluations valuable is the insights patients can extract from them. Awareness of one’s fertility status allows individuals, especially women, to recognise their current health state and detect possible disorders, such as metabolic or endocrine disturbances, among others.
Additionally, getting yourself evaluated for fertility health not only determines causes but also establishes the basis for crafting a personalised treatment plan that accurately targets your issues.
What is Involved in a Fertility Check?
Infertility affects men and women equally, highlighting the need for both you and your partner to get checked.
During your first visit for a fertility screening, your doctor will facilitate a detailed review of your medical history. They usually ask couples about health concerns and sexual background, such as:
- Medications you take
- Illnesses like STIs and surgeries
- Pregnancy history
- Habits such as tobacco and alcohol use
- Birth control methods
- How long have you been trying to conceive, and
- Sexual difficulties
After the interview, detailed probing will start through a physical exam and a lineup of assessments that will check male and female hormone levels, reproductive health state, and more.
Common tests administered for each are as follows:
Female Fertility Test
- Hormone blood test: Doctors can analyze hormonal levels in a woman’s body to check for imbalances or abnormalities through a blood test. They can determine if the patient is producing healthy eggs, evaluate follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and verify whether the brain is correctly signaling the ovaries.
- Ovarian reserve test: Ovarian reserve is the overall count of healthy, immature eggs in the ovary. In this test, a fertility specialist evaluates the number of eggs a woman has in her ovaries. It is recommended for women who are at an increased risk of having a decreased ovarian reserve because of past reproductive surgeries, exposure to harmful substances, and other factors.
- Ultrasound: A non-invasive diagnostic procedure to assess a female’s reproductive system and identify the presence of ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids.
- Hysterosalpingogram: This procedure involves an X-ray image of the uterus and fallopian tubes. It can help detect impediments in the uterine cavity or fallopian tubes (such as scar tissues or infections) and abnormalities in the uterus's shape.
Male Fertility Test
- Sperm and semen analysis: Your doctor will check for your sperm’s shape, count, and movement. The test generally aims to determine sperm and semen quality and quantity.
- Hormone testing: In this test, a fertility specialist assesses a man’s testosterone level and the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to determine the hormonal system’s balance and the state of sperm production.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasounds can also be done in men to detect duct obstructions in the prostate, scrotum, or ejaculatory ducts.
- Genetic testing. Genetic tests may involve blood testing to determine any genetic abnormality affecting fertility concerns.
Fertility Screening for Couples
Indeed, tests are distinct for males and females, but couples who are seeking to maximise their chances of getting pregnant can benefit from a joint fertility screening.
A fertility test for couples offers a precise view of you and your partner’s combined fertility. With this, you’ll be able to understand your shared ability to conceive, with a doctor who can help create a customized fertility plan for your conception.
Furthermore, joint consultations and coordinated testing will help you and your partner come up with informed decisions on pregnancy, family planning, and potential medical and lifestyle interventions. This cooperative system will encourage open communication, leading to a healthy and successful pregnancy when the timing is right for conceiving.
When to Consider a Fertility Check?
Some conditions that reinforce the need for a fertility screening include having regular sexual intercourse without using birth control for 12 months (if you are 35 and younger) or six months (if you are 35 and older).
Meanwhile, if you are 40 years and older, it is best to seek help and evaluation from your gynaecologist.
Other factors that may prompt a fertility check may include medical history. For women, it is ideal to consult with a fertility specialist if they have been diagnosed or treated in the past for PCOS, endometriosis, irregular or absent periods, recurrent miscarriage, etc.
On the other hand, men can also seek a specialist’s advice if they have previous problems with ejaculatory or erectile concerns, sperm and genetic issues, etc.
Once couples have the necessary insights from fertility check results and have successfully undergone necessary fertility treatments, women must prepare their bodies for conceiving a child. Preconception screening, as well as preconception counselling, will also be crucial steps for females, bringing a personalised healthcare approach to preparing themselves for a healthy pregnancy.
Understanding the Results and Next Steps
No matter the results from tests and other procedures, your trusted fertility doctor must clearly communicate the findings and diagnosis in your fertility check and effectively discuss treatment options.
Some conditions are manageable and involve lifestyle changes and diet, others may need to be treated with prescribed medication, and some may require minimal surgical procedures. Regular check-ups and a treatment plan tailor-fit to your condition can mean a more effective approach to improving your fertility and overall well-being.
Take the First Step to Enhanced Fertility Health
The first step to achieving optimal fertility health is getting checked.
Awareness of your health status lays the groundwork for any treatment plan that both partners undergo. Along with this is the expert guidance that a fertility specialist can provide, according to your unique needs.
Eden Women’s Health is here to support and empower you. Led by obstetrician & gynaecologist in Singapore, Dr Sheri Lim, we walk alongside couples and families, offering personalized care and advice to help them make informed decisions about their well-being.
Aside from a fertility check, we offer other services, such as pre-and postnatal care, labour and delivery, family planning, sexual health screening, and other services prioritising women’s wellness.
We’d love to see you take care of your health. Book an appointment with us and let’s talk about how we can guide you through your fertility journey, one step at a time.