5 Medical Tests Every Couple Must Do Before Getting Married

January 19, 2020 Comment

Marriage is a lifelong union, a big step in one’s life. You are going to be living with someone for the rest of your life and you’ll as well be starting a family. The euphoria of starting a new chapter in your life might make you not consider some important factors, such as you and your partner’s health status. Being in love or getting married does not automatically keep you protected from different health conditions. Before you say “I do” to a lifetime commitment, say “I do” to your health by going for certain medical tests before getting married.

Adequate knowledge of your partner’s health status prevents a lot of unnecessary stress and problems during marriage. Many are apprehensive about this. If you fall into that category, you are at the right blog. We have put together medical tests every couple must do before getting married.

HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

HIV test is very important
5 Medical Tests Every Couple Must Do Before Getting Married                        Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Ignorance of self or partner’s HIV status is a leading cause of HIV transmission in couples. HIV test isn’t just for couples about to get married, it’s also for every individual. It’s recommended that couples get tested and get counseled together. The importance of the test is for the couple to know what to expect and make a choice. 

Sex and marriage go hand in hand and hence bears a higher risk when one spouse is a carrier of an STD. HIV and other STDs like Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Warts can be managed or treated with proper medical care. For instance, if one partner is infected with HIV, he/she would be placed on HIV medications, antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). Efforts would also be put into preventing transmission from mother to child. If STDs are not properly managed, they become a problem in marriage. An STD test also reduces the risk of infertility and miscarriages in marriage. The reason being, if an STD is left untreated it can cause other serious health issues including infertility. Better safe than sorry.

 

Genotype Test

5 Medical Tests Every Couple Must Do Before Getting Married
5 Medical Tests Every Couple Must Do Before Getting Married           Photo by Shelby Deeter on Unsplash

A genotype test would indicate if you are a sickler (SS), a carrier of the sickle cell trait (AS) or normal (AA). If you are a carrier of the sickle cell trait (AS), care must be taken to know if your partner is not a carrier of the sickle cell gene (AS). The reason is that there is a chance of having a child with sickle cell disease. It is also advisable for sickle cell patients (SS) not to marry a carrier of the sickle cell gene (AS).

Let’s have a little biology lesson, shall we? What is Sickle Cell Disease? Sickle Cell Disease is a blood disorder in which the red blood cells are not shaped as they should be. The red blood cells take the shape of a sickle. Because of its shape, it blocks blood vessels, preventing blood from getting to parts of the body. It can lead to pain and organ damage. This disorder is inherited. To prevent your child from having this disease and also the trauma that comes with it, go for a genotype test. This would make you aware of the necessary actions to take.

 

Blood Group

5 Medical Tests Every Couple Must Do Before Getting Married
5 Medical Tests Every Couple Must Do Before Getting Married       Photo by Jozemara Friorili Lemes from Pexels

A blood group test is very important, especially when it comes to pregnancy. Your blood group can either be A, B, O or AB. The second blood group system is the Rhesus System (Rh).  it indicates if there is the presence (Rhesus positive) or absence (Rhesus negative) of the Rh antigen in your blood.  An understanding of both you and your partner’s blood group will prevent Rhesus incompatibility which can affect the fetus during pregnancy. Knowledge of you and your partner’s blood group compatibility is also helpful in case of an emergency.

If a Rhesus negative blood group woman (Example: Blood group O-) gets pregnant for a Rhesus positive man (Example: Blood group O+), there is a high chance of Rhesus incompatibility. This would require proper medical intervention. If the necessary precautions are not taken, it results in complications, intrauterine death, and miscarriages. Always know your blood group, always know your partner’s blood group.

 

Fertility Test

Go for a fertility test
5 Medical Tests Every Couple Must Do Before Getting Married                                 Photo from Shutterstock          

If you would love to have children, this test is very important for you and your partner. You don’t have to wait a year into the marriage unable to conceive before taking this test. The importance of this test is to avoid the unnecessary psychological and emotional trauma accompanying infertility. 

Infertility isn’t just a woman’s problem. In fact, men are the contributing cause of infertility problems in about 40% of cases, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. A fertility test typically includes semen analysis for men to determine sperm count and an ovulation test for women.

 

Test for Chronic Health Conditions

Test for chronic health conditions
5 Medical Tests Every Couple Must Do Before Getting Married                   Photo by Hush Naidoo on Unsplash 

Early detection is key. Regardless of marriage prospects or not, everyone should go for a detailed medical check-up frequently. Chronic health conditions such as Diabetes, Hepatitis, High blood pressure are better detected at its early stage. This saves money and lives. Before getting married, it’s advisable couples go for early testing for these conditions. It allows couples to seek early medical assistance, prepare for challenges ahead to make the necessary lifestyle changes. 

It is important to know your health status especially your sexual health status before getting married. Did we leave anything out? Share with us below.

 

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