Fertility Health Check
Up to 1 in 6 Singaporean couples can experience difficulties when they decide to start a family.
Unfortunately there are many causes of infertility which can involve complications from the woman or the man, or a combination of factors.
For conception to occur, you need a healthy egg and a healthy sperm, meet in the right environment, and at just the right time. If you are having difficulties falling pregnant, you will need to be assessed as a couple to determine the cause and restart your path to pregnancy.
What’s involved in a Couple’s Fertility Health Check up?
Whether you’re actively trying to start a family now or some time in the future, the Couples Fertility Heath Check is designed to provide valuable insights into your fertility potential as a couple and identify any possible underlying issues that might impact your chances of conception.
The single most important factor when it comes to trying to conceive is the woman’s age, the older a woman gets the less likely it is to conceive, either naturally or with the help of treatments such as IVF. This is why doctors recommend you seek helps after 12 months of trying if the woman is under the age of 36, and 6 months of trying if she is 36 or older.
A fertility specialist can assess your overall reproductive health and conduct some simple tests to help identify any underlying causes of pregnancy delay.
For women fertility tests typically include some blood tests and ultrasound scans to check for ovulation, specific fertility conditions and ovarian reserve. Some additional tests may be needed to check the fallopian tubes and condition of the uterus.
The most important fertility test for men is a semen analysis, which measures the volume, shape and movement of his sperm.
What is the cost of a fertility check up?
Comprehensive Couple’s Fertility Health Check - $550 (excl GST)
This package includes comprehensive fertility testing for both male and female with fertility screening blood tests for the lady and semen analysis with DNA fragmentation test for the male. It consists of two appointments for the couple on separate days.
The first appointment involves submitting a semen sample for the semen analysis test for the male, and collection of blood for fertility screening including hormonal and thyroid profile, progesterone, and egg reserve (AMH) blood tests for the female.
At the second appointment the couple will meet with one of our Fertility Specialists for a pelvic ultrasound, medical history review and to discuss the results of your fertility health check. At this time the fertility specialist will also provide guidance on next steps if further investigations or treatment are recommended.
How Can We Boost Our Natural Fertility?
- Understand Your Fertile Window - To increase your chance of falling pregnant, engage in intercourse one or two days before ovulation, and then continue to have regular intercourse (two to three times a week) to further improve your chances. Calculate your fertile window »
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle - Cessation of smoking can be the single most important thing to do to boost your fertility. Regular exercise can also help boost your overall health and fertility. Our fertility specialists also recommend consumption of alcohol and caffeine in moderation.
- Improve Your Diet - Both the female and male partners need to eat healthy food and maintain a healthy weight when they are trying to conceive. Women should start taking 400mcg of folic acid each day, as well as multivitamins for general health. Learn more about vitamins, TCM, acupuncture and fertility »
The Common Causes of Infertility in Couples
When you understand all the factors that need to be in place to conceive a baby, it really is a complicated process. If anything of these things are not quite right, you may experience problems falling pregnant.
In 40% of couples, the cause of infertility is attributed to a sperm factor, while in another 40%, the cause is found within the female reproductive system, and a third will have a combination of male and female factors.
Infertility in women can be caused by an ovulation disorder, blockages in the fallopian tubes or other complications in the uterine environment. Some of the most common conditions that can affect a woman’s fertility include Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis and fibroids.
Infertility in men is most commonly due to no or very few sperm produced and/or found in the ejaculate. Sometimes sperm are malformed, and genetic diseases may be at fault in rare cases. Other complications can include immunological infertility, retrograde ejaculation, blockages in the vas deferens or subnormal quality of sperm.
Fertility in both the woman and the man can also be affected by lifestyle choices such as smoking, excessive drinking or being severely under or overweight.
What are the Most Common Fertility Treatments?
Based on the results of your fertility assessment, your fertility specialist will determine your best path to pregnancy.
This may involve lifestyle changes, better timing of intercourse or surgery to rectify any underlying conditions.
It may also include fertility treatments such as IUI (where prepared semen is inserted through the next of the womb close to the time of ovulation) or IVF (placing eggs removed from the ovary, with many sperm to facilitate fertilisation and embryo development in the laboratory, before transferring the embryo back into the womb).
Because we know your emotional well-being can be as important as your physical well-being, Virtus Fertility Centre Singapore works with a team of highly experienced fertility coaches who can help support you on your fertility journey.
Watch a video on what's involved in a couples fertility assessment with Medical Director Dr Roland Chieng
What’s the next step?
If you are considering coming to Virtus Fertility Centre Singapore, we encourage you to attend a free fertility seminar to learn more about our centre, fertility specialists and the fertility treatments available. Register for a free seminar »
If you are ready to embark on a Fertility Health Check or would like to request further information, please email or call us at 6460 4555. Request an appointment online »