There is often a misplaced notion among couples that a fertility clinic is only reserved for those who have already tried to conceive for a long time without success. That’s not quite true. Actually, more and more people these days book in at such clinics long before they even think of having a baby. This is simply because they wish to know their reproductive health and where their biology stands at the moment. It’s to spot any problems early and avoid losing any valuable time when trying for real. With that said, let’s go a little deeper into this and help you understand if you should get a fertility checkup right away, even if you are not trying to get pregnant at the moment.
How can a fertility clinic help in your situation?
The first and arguably biggest benefit of starting work with a fertility clinic is establishing a baseline. Fertility is not something someone can judge based on how regular their periods are or how healthy they feel. It’s a complex matter, and you need a consultation that looks at your medical history, lifestyle, menstrual cycle, previous surgeries, medications, family history, and many other factors to form a judgment.
Such a consultation will also help you rule out anything that could potentially make conception harder when you actually try for it in the future and help you figure out the right path forward. For some people it’s getting the timing right, improving their nutrition, or treating any underlying condition, like PCOS (PMOS) or thyroid disease. For others, it can cover more complex but treatable issues: discussing fertility preservation, undergoing cancer treatment, navigating a family history of early menopause.
You will also get to know if you will require assisted reproductive treatments in the future. Depending on your specific situation, this can include anything from ovulation induction, IUI, IVF, ICSI, donor conception, or sperm and egg freezing. You might have noticed that these treatments also involve men. This is because, when going to a fertility clinic in London, like The Fertility & Gynaecology Academy, you will find that most of these places perform investigations for both you and your partner, mainly to ensure that male factors are also considered when discussing fertility and conception.
What does a fertility test actually cover?
A fertility test is actually a collection of different investigations that all work in building a clear picture of you and your partner’s reproductive health. For women, this generally starts with hormone blood tests. These tests first measure your AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone), which gives a rough but mostly accurate idea about overall ovarian reserve, then a couple of other hormones that affect your ovulation and thyroid function.
An ultrasound scan will be used to assess your uterus, ovaries, count developing follicles, and identify conditions like fibroids, ovarian cysts, or polycystic ovaries. If needed, the doctor may also order a specialised imaging test to check whether your fallopian tubes are open and functioning as intended. On the men’s side, it is just a case (an important one) of getting a semen analysis done, which assesses their sperm count, movement, shape, and other characteristics that can influence the chances of natural conception.
Who should consider a fertility check before trying for a baby?
Generally, if you are around 35 and planning your first pregnancy already, you should definitely get a fertility check right away. This can help you gather all the important information about your body and make informed decisions before facing any kind of trouble. The same applies if your periods are irregular or absent, as that may point towards problems with ovulation that are generally quite easily treatable.
If you’ve wrestled with PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid disease, or have previously had pelvic infections or surgery that could affect your reproductive organs, get a fertility check without fail. The same goes for people who have experienced recurrent miscarriages already, have a family history of early menopause, or are planning to delay parenting should also get one as soon as possible. As mentioned, men should not assume that these tests are only for women, and they should also get their share of work done if male infertility is a factor here.
What checks should you cover pre-pregnancy?
The first thing you should absolutely check is your immunity to MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella). If you’re not protected against rubella in particular, getting a vaccine is non-negotiable, as catching this condition during pregnancy can seriously affect a developing embryo. Once you do, you will need to wait at least a month after taking the vaccine before attempting to conceive again, as the vaccine itself contains a live and weakened version of the virus to counter the existing condition.
There is also STI screening that people generally get, even if they don’t have any symptoms. The reason why is that infections like chlamydia and gonorrhoea often go unnoticed for quite a long time and can very easily damage your reproductive organs in the meantime. Another check that you should absolutely consider is cervical screening. Although the smear test won’t exactly improve your fertility, it will at least make sure that you are less likely to face delays or any other unexpected events once you are pregnant or actively trying for a baby. On a smaller level, you should also consider your general health. Watch your weight, blood pressure, and long-term medical conditions, too, as having all of them in order will make it much easier to conceive.
Taking the next step
The point you need to remember is that things don’t need to feel wrong before the situation warrants speaking to a doctor. Sometimes the most valuable appointment you can have is the one that either confirms everything is okay or reveals a problem that can be easily dealt with while there is still time.
Whatever the case may be for you, remember that anything is better than shooting arrows in the dark when trying for a baby. Starting a pregnancy with the right set of information puts you in a much stronger position to face whatever comes next, whether conception happens naturally, requires a little medical support, or needs a doctor’s touch.
