Premarital Health Screening in Singapore: Why You Might Need It

Before embarking on your new journey together as a married couple, you and your partner might want to consider a premarital health screening. This comprehensive check-up is designed for couples to assess general health, screen for infectious diseases and genetic conditions, and evaluate fertility.

By identifying potential health concerns early, premarital screening helps smooth the road ahead and provides peace of mind as you prepare for your marriage. Whether you plan to have children soon, later, or simply want to better understand each other’s health, these essential health checks can help you make informed decisions and build a strong, lasting relationship.

What are the benefits of a premarital health check?

Premarital health screening is recommended, especially if you or your partner have a family history of genetic conditions. However, this screening can also provide valuable insights and peace of mind for every couple about to start a life together.

When you enter marriage, your health becomes a shared responsibility. By understanding each other's health status, you can support each other and make informed decisions when your partner does experience health conditions in the future. Here are some other benefits of this screening:

• Assessing you and your partner's overall health status, including fertility health.

• Early identification of infectious diseases, such as sexually transmitted infections, can reduce the risk of transmission and facilitate the planning of further treatment.

• Minimising the risk of severe health complications due to late diagnosis.

• Screening for genetic conditions that could affect your future children.

• Encourage open communication with your partner about each other's healthcare needs and how to tackle any potential challenges or major health conditions together.

• Assists couples in making more informed decisions regarding their health and family planning.

Premarital health screening is not just about preventing health issues; it's also about building a strong foundation for a healthy marriage. By being open about any potential health concerns, you and your partner can work together to overcome any health challenges that may come.

If you're ready to take the next step, schedule a consultation with a healthcare provider at Thomson Medical for further premarital health screening consultation for you and your loved ones.

What tests are available for premarital screening?

A premarital health screening involves a range of tests to evaluate both you and your partner general health. It also helps to identify any potential health risks that could affect your future family, particularly if you're planning to have children.

Although they may seem similar to regular health screenings, premarital screenings actually focus more on key health factors that could affect fertility, pregnancy, and the health of your future children. Regular health screenings concentrate on identifying chronic diseases like high cholesterol, diabetes, and cancers.

Healthcare providers in Singapore offer various premarital health screening packages for couples. While the available packages may differ between providers, most include the following screenings:

Infectious diseases screening

An infectious diseases screening helps to identify infections that could affect your health, your partner’s wellness, and the health of your future child. Early detection also prevents disease transmission and supports healthy relationships by providing transparency between couples.

Here are some common infectious diseases included in premarital screening:

• HIV/AIDS screening:

  • HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that attacks the immune system, reducing its effectiveness in fighting infections and diseases.

  • Without treatment, HIV can continue to weaken the immune system until it becomes severely compromised and develops into an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

• Chlamydia screening:

  • Chlamydia is a common STI caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria, which does not always cause symptoms.

  • When symptoms do appear, they usually show as a burning sensation when urinating in women and watery discharge from the tip of the penis in men.

• Gonorrhoea screening:

  • Gonorrhoea is a common STI caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It usually causes symptoms such as unusual vaginal discharge in women and testicular pain in men.

• Hepatitis B and C screening:

  • Hepatitis B and C are viral infections that affect the liver. Hepatitis B is primarily spread through blood, semen or other bodily fluids, whereas hepatitis C is primarily spread through direct, blood-to-blood contact.

  • Symptoms of this condition include fatigue, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, and nausea.

• Syphilis screening:

  • Syphilis is an STI caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It usually starts with a painless sore that often appears on the genitals, rectum, or mouth.

• Rubella (German measles) screening:

  • Rubella, also known as German measles, is usually a mild viral infection. However, if a mother is infected during pregnancy, this condition can cause birth abnormalities.

Genetic testing

Genetic testing is an important part of premarital health screening, particularly for couples with a family history of inherited diseases. Knowing whether you or your partner have certain genetic abnormalities can help you make an informed decision about family planning and reduce the likelihood of passing them on to your future children.

Some of the most common genetic abnormalities checked for in premarital health screenings include:

• Thalassaemia:

  • Thalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder that affects the body’s ability to produce haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen.

  • If you or your partner carry the thalassaemia gene, it can be passed on to your children and lead to anaemia.

• G6PD deficiency:

  • Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a common genetic blood disease that can cause red blood cells to break down prematurely (haemolysis).

  • This medical condition can lead to haemolytic anaemia, which occurs when red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced by the body.

• Cystic fibrosis:

  • Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive tract. This medical condition can lead to long-term lung infections and digestive issues.

• Sickle cell anaemia:

  • Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic blood disease characterised by abnormally shaped red blood cells (crescent or sickle-shaped) that can block blood flow and cause pain and organ damage.

Fertility testing

Early fertility testing during a premarital health check can help identify potential fertility issues early on, provide peace of mind, and support you on your family planning journey. Fertility testing evaluates both you and your partner’s reproductive health, offering an overview of your chances of conceiving.

These insights are especially valuable for couples where age may be a contributing factor in declining fertility and can help you make informed decisions about family planning and healthy pregnancies.

For women

To ensure your fertility before marriage, a hormonal profile test is usually performed, which includes:

• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test:

  • This test assesses ovarian function and egg development. 

  • High FSH levels, particularly at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, may suggest a reduced ovarian reserve and potential fertility issues.

• Luteinising Hormone (LH) test:

  • The LH test measures LH levels to evaluate your ovulation cycle and identify medical conditions affecting the ovaries.

• The Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) test:

  • This test is used to assess your fertility status by checking both your ovarian reserve and egg supply.

• Oestrogen and progesterone tests:

  • These tests evaluate the regularity of your menstrual cycle and your ovulation status, ensuring an optimal chance of conception.

• Thyroid function and prolactin tests:

  • These tests look for thyroid disorders and elevated prolactin levels, both of which can significantly impact menstrual cycles and fertility.

Additionally, a pelvic ultrasound scan may also be performed to examine your ovaries and uterus and to check for any medical conditions affecting your reproductive organs.

For men

To ensure optimal male fertility health, a semen analysis is performed as part of the premarital health screening. This analysis examines several key health factors affecting sperm fertility. These factors include:

• The number of sperm present in semen (sperm count)

• How well the sperm can move to reach and fertilise the egg (motility)

• Sperm shape and structure (morphology)

Additional parameters that affect sperm health and viability, such as semen volume and pH levels, may also be checked during this screening.

If the semen analysis reveals fertility issues, a hormone test will be performed to evaluate essential hormones such as testosterone, which play a key role in sperm production and male reproductive function.

Additional health screening

In addition to the infectious disease, genetic, and fertility tests mentioned above, some additional screening may be performed, which includes:

• Blood group and rhesus factor test:

  • Your healthcare provider performs this test to determine both your and your partner’s ABO blood type and Rhesus (Rh) factor. If the mother is Rh-negative and the future baby is Rh-positive, or if there is a blood type incompatibility, the mother’s immune system may produce antibodies that attack the baby’s red blood cells.

  • This blood disorder can cause haemolytic disease, which is a serious condition that leads to anaemia and jaundice in newborns.

• Full blood count:

  • This screening helps identify conditions such as anaemia, infections, and underlying blood disorders, all of which can affect general well-being and pregnancy outcomes.

We recommend that couples complete their premarital screening several months before their wedding. This allows ample time for treatment, follow-up consultations, and thoughtful family health planning.

The screening also acts as a precautionary measure against unexpected serious health conditions that could present unforeseen challenges to married couples. Understanding both aspects of your health together enables you and your partner to work as a team to address any potential future challenges.

If you have any questions about which screening is suitable for you or your partner's health condition, schedule a consultation with Thomson Medical. Our qualified healthcare providers can help you make informed decisions about your premarital health screening.

Premarital health screening cost in Singapore

In Singapore, premarital health screenings are available at various public and private hospitals, polyclinics, and women’s health centres. Healthcare providers usually offer these screenings in different package options, with separate packages for males and females or bundled as couple packages.

The cost of the screening varies depending on the provider and package chosen. In general, individual packages for men start from SGD 110 to 290, while individual packages for women start from SGD 120 to 290. However, the price for a couple's package can go as high as SGD 520.

Unfortunately, you will not be able to use MediSave for premarital health screenings, because these check-ups are classified as preventive health measures and not treatment for existing conditions. However, some private health insurance plans may provide partial coverage, depending on the policy.

What results can I expect from a premarital screening?

After performing your premarital health screening, here's what you can expect to receive:

• Confirmation of you and your partner general health

• Results for infectious diseases, along with any necessary treatment plan

• Information about any genetic risks found

• Insights into your fertility status, such as low ovarian reserve or sperm abnormalities

• Recommendations for a follow-up appointment

Your healthcare provider will explain your results and advise you on any necessary next steps. Don’t hesitate to ask them if you have questions about this check-up or your results.

FAQ

Where can I do premarital screening in Singapore?

What does the premarital screening package include?

How long does it take to receive the screening results?

Can we undergo premarital screening after marriage?

Is premarital screening only for couples planning to have children?

Why is a thalassaemia test done before marriage?

The information provided is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised recommendations and tailored advice, schedule a consultation with Thomson Medical today.