Premarital Fertility Testing

So, here is some interesting information… For men, assessment of the male sex hormones can give some clues about the male’s sexual health and fertility potential.

In my private practice, some male hormones that we test for our patients include

1. Serum FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone)
2. Serum LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
3. Total Testosterone
4. Free Testosterone &
5. Prolactin

Checking these hormones and then also doing a physical exam, ultimately gives clues about a man’s reproductive health.

A semen analysis test, though useful, is a gold standard test for male fertility.

However, we cannot recommend routine testing for all patients, unless a year has passed post marriage.

This is because changes in the various semen parameters can be extremely non-specific and can cause patients unnecessary stress/worry.

But in the instance, the patient is extremely worried about his fertility, a semen test can be recommended.

Furthermore, in the event, we detect some problems in the male sex hormones, a semen analysis may be recommended.

This is something we will individualize depending on your health.

Now, For women, premarital fertility tests include…

1. Taking a basic clinical history about the menstrual cycles
2. Checking the blood sugars and thyroid hormones
3. Day 2 Scan to count the number of eggs and to also see the uterus, tubes et cetera.

Once again, further testing will purely depend on the individual. Testing were possible is still best kept to a minimum!.