Imagine you are about to get married to the love of your life. You have planned everything for your big day, from the venue to the cake to the dress. You are excited and nervous, but also confident that you have found your perfect match. But have you checked one important thing: your health? 

Many couples overlook the importance of getting medical tests before marriage. They assume that they are healthy and compatible and that nothing can go wrong. But this is a risky assumption that can have serious consequences for their future together. 

Medical tests before marriage are not meant to scare you or make you doubt your partner. They are meant to help you identify any potential health issues that could affect your relationship, your fertility, or your children. They are also meant to help you seek proper treatment and prevention and make informed decisions about your marriage. 

In this blog post, we will discuss the seven medical tests that you and your partner must do before getting married. These tests are based on scientific evidence and expert medical recommendations.

1. HIV Test

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). HIV weakens the body's ability to fight infections and diseases, and it can be transmitted through sexual contact, blood transfusion, or sharing needles. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 37.7 million people were living with HIV globally in 2020, and 1.5 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2019. In Nigeria, 1.8 million people were living with HIV in 2019, and the prevalence rate was 1.3% among adults aged 15-49. 

Getting an HIV test before marriage is crucial for several reasons:

• It can help you protect yourself and your partner from getting infected or re-infected.
• It can help you access treatment and care if you or your partner are positive.
• It can help you plan for a safe pregnancy and delivery if you want to have children.
• It can help reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

An HIV test is a simple blood test that can be done at any health facility or laboratory. The results are usually available within a few minutes or hours, depending on the type of test. There are also rapid self-tests that you can do at home with a kit that you can buy online or at a pharmacy.

If you or your partner test positive for HIV, don't panic or lose hope. There are effective antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) that can help you live a long and healthy life with HIV. You will also need regular check-ups and counselling to monitor your health and well-being.

If you or your partner test negative for HIV, don't relax or stop being careful. You will need to repeat the test every six months or whenever you have a new sexual partner. You will also need to use condoms consistently and correctly to prevent HIV transmission.

2. Hepatitis B and C Tests

Hepatitis B and C are viral infections that affect the liver. They can cause inflammation, scarring, cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure. They can be transmitted through sexual contact, blood transfusion, sharing needles, or from mother to child during pregnancy or delivery.

According to the WHO, 296 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B and 58 million people living with chronic hepatitis C globally in 2019. In Nigeria, 19 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B (11% prevalence) and 3.6 million people were living with chronic hepatitis C (2% prevalence) in 2018.

Here’s why you and your partner should get a hepatitis B and C test before marriage:

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• It can help you protect yourself and your partner from getting infected or re-infected.
• It can help you access treatment and care if you or your partner are positive.
• It can help you plan for a safe pregnancy and delivery if you want to have children.
• It can help you prevent complications and liver damage.

A hepatitis B and C test can be done at any health facility or laboratory. The results are usually available within a few hours or days, depending on the type of test.

If you or your partner test positive for hepatitis B or C, don't despair or blame yourself. There are effective drugs that can help you control the infection and reduce the risk of liver damage. You will also need regular check-ups and counselling to monitor your liver function and well-being.

If you or your partner test negative for hepatitis B or C, don't ignore or forget about it. You will need to repeat the test every year or whenever you have a new sexual partner. You will also need to use condoms consistently and correctly to prevent hepatitis transmission. In addition, you should get vaccinated for hepatitis B if you haven't already.

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3. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Test

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact. Some of the most common STDs include chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV). 

STDs can cause various symptoms, such as pain, itching, discharge, sores, warts, or rashes in the genital area. However, some STDs may not cause any symptoms at all, or they may only appear after a long time. This means that you or your partner may have an STD without knowing it.

According to the WHO, there were 376 million new cases of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis globally in 2016. In Nigeria, there were 1.9 million new cases of these four STDs in 2016, and the prevalence rates among adults aged 15-49 were 2.7% for chlamydia, 0.8% for gonorrhoea, 1.5% for syphilis, and 2.1% for trichomoniasis.

Getting an STD test before marriage is essential for these reasons:

• It can help you protect yourself and your partner from getting infected or re-infected.
• It can help you access treatment and care if you or your partner have an STD.
• It can help you prevent complications and long-term health problems, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, ectopic pregnancy, cervical cancer, or HIV.
• It can help you plan for a safe pregnancy and delivery if you want to have children.

An STD test is a simple urine test or a swab test that can be done at a good health facility or laboratory. The results are usually available within a few hours or days, depending on the type of test.

If you or your partner test positive for any STD, don't be ashamed or angry. There are effective antibiotics or antivirals that can cure or treat most STDs. You will also need to inform your previous sexual partners and advise them to get tested and treated as well.

If you or your partner test negative for any STD, don't be complacent or careless. You will need to repeat the test every year, especially if you have a new sexual partner. Use condoms consistently and correctly to prevent STD transmission.

4. Fertility Test

Fertility is the ability to conceive and have children. Fertility can be affected by various factors, such as age, lifestyle, hormones, genetics, infections, diseases, or treatments. Fertility problems can affect both men and women.

According to the WHO, there were 48.5 million couples worldwide who were unable to have a child after five years of trying in 2010. In Africa, infertility problem varies from 9% in Gambia, 21.2% in northwestern Ethiopia, between 20% and 30% in Nigeria, and 11.8% among women and 15.8% among men in Ghana, according to the Journal of Scientific Research.

These are the reasons why you and your partner should do a fertility test:

• It can help you assess your reproductive potential and identify any factors that may affect your fertility.
• It can help you access treatment and care if you or your partner have a fertility problem.
• It can help you plan for your family size and timing if you want to have children.
• It can help you explore other options if you are unable to conceive naturally.

A fertility test is a series of tests that can be done at a fertility clinic or a specialized laboratory. The tests may include:

• A blood test to check your hormone levels and ovarian reserve (the number and quality of eggs in your ovaries).
• A pelvic ultrasound to check your uterus and ovaries for any abnormalities.
• A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to check your fallopian tubes for any blockages.
• A semen analysis to check your partner's sperm count, motility (movement), morphology (shape), and quality.

If you or your partner test positive for any fertility problem, don't lose hope or feel guilty. Various treatments can help you improve your fertility and increase your chances of conceiving. These treatments may include:

• Medications to stimulate ovulation or improve sperm quality.
• Surgery to correct any structural problems in the reproductive organs.
• Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), etc.

5. Genotype Test

A genotype test is a test that determines your genetic makeup, or the alleles (variants) of genes that you have inherited from your parents. Your genotype determines many aspects of your physical appearance, personality, and health.

One of the most important reasons to get a genotype test before marriage is to check for sickle cell disease (SCD). SCD is a genetic disorder that affects the red blood cells, causing them to become sickle-shaped and sticky. This can lead to various complications, such as anaemia, infections, pain crises, organ damage, stroke, and even death.

Sickle cell disease is caused by a mutation in the gene that codes for haemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the blood. There are different types of haemoglobin, such as A (normal), S (sickle), and C (another variant). Depending on the combination of haemoglobin types that you inherit from your parents, you can have different genotypes, such as AA (normal), AS (carrier), SS (sickle cell anaemia), SC (sickle cell disease), or CC (haemoglobin C disease).

The risk of having a child with sickle cell disease depends on the genotypes of both parents. If both parents are AA (normal), there is no risk of having a child with SCD. If one parent is AA and the other is AS (carrier), there is a 50% chance of having a child who is AS (carrier) and a 50% chance of having a child who is AA (normal). If both parents are AS (carrier), there is a 25% chance of having a child who is SS (sickle cell anaemia), a 50% chance of having a child who is AS (carrier), and a 25% chance of having a child who is AA (normal). If one parent is AS and the other is SS or SC, there is a 50% chance of having a child who is SS or SC (sickle cell disease) and a 50% chance of having a child who is AS (carrier). If both parents are SS or SC, there is a 100% chance of having a child who is SS or SC (sickle cell disease).

As you can see, the risk of having a child with SCD increases if both parents are carriers or have the disease themselves. This can have serious implications for the health and well-being of the child and the family. Therefore, it is advisable to get a genotype test before marriage to know your status and your partner's status and to make informed decisions about your reproductive options.

A genotype test can be done by taking a blood sample from your finger or arm and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. The test results can take from a few hours to a few days to be ready.

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Also Read: Women's Healthcare in Africa: Statistics and Challenges

6. Semen Analysis

A semen analysis is a test that evaluates the quality and quantity of the sperm in a man. It is one of the most common tests for male infertility, which affects about 15% of couples worldwide.

A semen analysis can measure various parameters, such as:

• Volume: the amount of semen produced in one ejaculation
• Count: the number of sperm per millilitre of semen
• Motility: the percentage of sperm that are moving
• Morphology: the shape and size of the sperm
• Vitality: the percentage of sperm that are alive
• pH: the acidity or alkalinity of the semen
• Fructose: the sugar content of the semen
• White blood cells: the presence of infection or inflammation in the semen

A semen analysis can help diagnose various causes of male infertility, such as:

• Oligospermia: low sperm count
• Azoospermia: no sperm in the semen
• Asthenospermia: low sperm motility
• Teratospermia: abnormal sperm morphology
• Necrospermia: dead or non-viable sperm
• Hypospermia: low semen volume
• Hyperspermia: high semen volume
• Aspermia: no semen production
• Hematospermia: blood in the semen

Some of these conditions can be caused by various factors, such as:

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• Hormonal imbalances
• Genetic defects
• Infections or inflammations
• Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)
• Obstructions or blockages in the reproductive tract
• Medications or drugs
• Lifestyle factors (such as smoking, alcohol, stress, obesity, etc.)

A semen analysis can help identify these factors and guide the appropriate treatment options.

7. Mental Health Assessment

A mental health assessment is a process of evaluating your psychological well-being and identifying any signs of mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or personality disorders. It is one of the most important tests for your overall health and happiness, as well as your relationship with your partner.

Mental health is a balance between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It affects how you cope with stress, relate to others, and make decisions. The following factors can influence your mental health:

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• Biological factors (such as genes, brain chemistry, hormones, etc.)
• Psychological factors (such as personality, beliefs, attitudes, etc.)
• Social factors (such as family, friends, culture, etc.)
• Environmental factors (such as trauma, abuse, violence, poverty, etc.)

Mental health can change over time and across different situations. Sometimes, you may experience temporary or mild changes in your mood or behaviour due to normal life events or challenges. Other times, you may experience persistent or severe changes that interfere with your daily functioning or quality of life. These changes may indicate a mental disorder.

A mental health assessment can also help you avoid potential problems that may arise from untreated mental disorders, such as:

• Poor physical health and increased risk of chronic diseases
• Impaired social and occupational functioning
• Reduced quality of life and happiness
• Increased risk of substance abuse and addiction
• Increased risk of violence and suicide

According to a study by the American Psychological Association (APA), couples who received premarital counselling reported higher levels of marital satisfaction and lower levels of marital distress than couples who did not receive counselling. The study also found that premarital counselling reduced the risk of divorce by 31%.

Therefore, doing a mental health assessment before getting married can help you and your partner have a healthier, happier, and longer-lasting marriage.

8. Blood Group Test

A blood group test is a simple blood test that determines your blood type (A, B, AB, or O) and Rh factor (positive or negative). A blood group test can be done by a doctor or a laboratory technician.

Performing a blood group test can help you and your partner:

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• Prepare for emergencies and medical procedures that may require blood transfusions
• Donate blood or organs to each other or others in need
• Plan for pregnancy and prevent complications

The last point is especially important if you and your partner want to have children. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you have Rh-negative blood and your partner has Rh-positive blood, there is a chance that your baby may have Rh-positive blood too. This can cause a condition called Rh incompatibility, which occurs when your immune system attacks your baby's red blood cells as foreign invaders.

Rh incompatibility can cause serious problems for your baby, such as:

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• Hemolytic anaemia (low red blood cell count)
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Brain damage
• Heart failure
• Death

Fortunately, Rh incompatibility can be prevented by taking a medication called Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg) during pregnancy.

Doing a blood group test before getting married can help you and your partner have a safe and successful pregnancy, among other things.

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Also Read: Essential Health Tips Nigerian Women Must Know Before They Clock 40

Conclusion

Getting married is a wonderful and exciting experience, but it also comes with responsibilities and challenges. That's why it's important to do some medical tests before you get married, to make sure you and your partner are compatible and healthy.

The aforementioned tests can help you and your partner understand yourselves better, communicate more effectively, seek treatment if needed, support each other, plan for the future, and prevent potential problems.

Do you have more inquiries to make? Then reach out to our medical specialists for proper consultation and counselling.

Sources

- Debbo Africa (https://www.debbo.africa)

- https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sickle-cell-disease

- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4691969/

- https://www.andrologyaustralia.org/your-health/male-infertility/

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