Fertility screening is an essential first step for individuals or couples who are trying to conceive, providing valuable insights into reproductive health. With more people choosing to delay childbirth due to various personal, professional, or financial reasons, the need for fertility screening has increased in recent years. In Singapore, where healthcare is world-renowned, couples seeking to start a family have access to state-of-the-art fertility services. This article will guide you through the fertility screening process in Singapore, what to expect, and how it can help enhance your chances of conception.
What Is Fertility Screening?
Fertility screening is a series of medical tests and procedures that assess the reproductive health of both partners to determine any underlying issues that may be affecting fertility. For women, this typically includes testing for hormone levels, ovarian reserve, and reproductive organ health, while men are assessed for sperm quality and count. Fertility screening is a proactive step that can help identify potential problems early, allowing for timely intervention and treatment.
Why Consider Fertility Screening?
Fertility screening can be beneficial for a variety of reasons, especially for couples who have been trying to conceive for over a year without success. It’s also helpful for individuals who have medical conditions, a family history of fertility issues, or those over the age of 35, as fertility can decline with age. Couples seeking fertility preservation options, such as egg or sperm freezing, may also opt for screening to ensure the best possible chances of success when they are ready to start a family.
Common Reasons To Consider Fertility Screening
- Infertility or Difficulty Conceiving: If a couple has been trying to conceive for over a year without success, it’s time to get screened to identify potential fertility issues.
- Advanced Maternal Age: Women over the age of 35 may experience a natural decline in fertility, which is why fertility screening can provide insights into their reproductive health.
- Medical History: Women with irregular menstrual cycles, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or endometriosis may benefit from fertility screening to assess how these conditions could impact fertility.
- Male Factor Infertility: Around 40% of infertility cases are attributed to male factors, so fertility screening for men is also important in the fertility process.
What To Expect During Fertility Screening In Singapore
Fertility screening involves a combination of blood tests, imaging studies, and sometimes genetic testing. Depending on the clinic or fertility center, the procedures may vary slightly, but the following is a general outline of what you can expect during the screening process.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
The first step in fertility screening is an initial consultation with a fertility specialist. During this consultation, the doctor will take a detailed medical history of both partners, including any previous pregnancies, medical conditions, lifestyle habits, and any family history of reproductive health issues. This discussion will help the doctor tailor the screening process to each individual’s unique situation.
Step 2: Hormone Testing For Women
For women, hormone levels play a crucial role in fertility. Various tests can be conducted to assess ovarian reserve (the number of eggs a woman has left), ovulatory function (how well a woman’s ovaries release eggs), and overall reproductive health.
Key Hormone Tests Include:
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): High levels of FSH can indicate a diminished ovarian reserve, as the body produces more FSH to stimulate the ovaries when there are fewer eggs.
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH): Elevated LH levels can signal ovulation issues, which may affect the ability to conceive.
- Estradiol: This hormone is involved in regulating the menstrual cycle and can help assess ovarian function.
- Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH): AMH levels provide a good indication of ovarian reserve and how many eggs a woman has left.
- Thyroid Hormones: An imbalance in thyroid hormones can affect menstrual cycles and fertility, so thyroid testing may also be done.
These tests are typically conducted through a blood sample, and the timing of testing is crucial. For example, some tests, like FSH and estradiol, are best performed on the third day of the woman’s menstrual cycle.
Step 3: Ovarian Reserve Testing
Ovarian reserve testing is used to assess the quantity and quality of a woman’s eggs. The tests that assess ovarian reserve include:
- Ultrasound: A transvaginal ultrasound is often performed to evaluate the number and size of follicles in the ovaries. This can give an idea of the ovarian reserve and help track the progress of treatment, if necessary.
- Antral Follicle Count (AFC): This is the count of small follicles seen during an ultrasound and provides an estimate of the egg count in the ovaries.
Step 4: Hysterosalpingography (HSG)
Hysterosalpingography is a diagnostic procedure used to check the health of a woman’s fallopian tubes and uterus. A dye is injected into the uterus while an X-ray is taken to see if the tubes are open or blocked. Blocked fallopian tubes are a common cause of infertility, and this test helps identify whether there are any blockages that could affect conception.
Step 5: Male Fertility Testing
Male fertility testing is equally important since male factors contribute to approximately 40% of infertility cases. The most common test for male fertility is a semen analysis, which measures:
- Sperm Count: The number of sperm in a given sample.
- Sperm Motility: The ability of sperm to swim toward an egg.
- Sperm Morphology: The shape and structure of sperm.
This test can help diagnose issues like low sperm count, poor motility, or abnormal sperm shape, which may impact fertility.
Step 6: Genetic Testing (Optional)
Genetic testing may be recommended if there are concerns about inherited genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, or chromosomal issues that could affect fertility or the health of the baby. Tests like karyotyping can be used to analyze both partners’ genetic material.
What Happens After Fertility Screening?
Once all the tests have been completed, the fertility specialist will review the results and discuss the findings with the couple. If any issues are identified, the doctor will recommend appropriate treatment options based on the couple’s unique situation. For example, if a woman’s ovarian reserve is low, fertility preservation (such as egg freezing) or assisted reproductive technologies (ART), like IVF, may be suggested.
If male infertility is identified, treatment options such as medication, surgery, or intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be considered.
Treatment Options Post-Screening
- Medication: Fertility drugs may be prescribed to regulate ovulation or increase sperm production.
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): A procedure where sperm is directly placed into the woman’s uterus to improve the chances of conception.
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): IVF involves retrieving eggs from the woman’s ovaries, fertilizing them in a lab, and then implanting the embryo into the uterus.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, or blocked fallopian tubes.
Fertility screening is an essential process for couples looking to understand and improve their chances of conception. In Singapore, advanced technologies and expert fertility specialists are available to guide individuals through the screening process, ensuring that any fertility issues are detected and addressed early. Whether it’s hormone testing, ovarian reserve analysis, or sperm quality assessment, fertility screening provides valuable insights into reproductive health. By seeking professional guidance and addressing fertility concerns early, couples can improve their chances of starting a family.