Importance of Premarital Medical Screening
Medical check-ups are not only advised before marriage, but it is a must do for a happy and healthy married life. Many are apprehensive about this, and have preconceived notions, but doing this will help you avoid unwanted and unneeded stress and problems later in marriage. Knowing your intended partner’s health doesn’t imply that the marriage itself is on troubled grounds. But it will enable you to take proper medical care if required. Under-listed are some of the medical tests to be done before marriage.
- HIV and other sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) tests: HIV, Hepatitis B and C are conditions that last lifelong and if not properly managed, can strain the marriage. The knowledge of your partner status helps you protect yourself/ seek for adequate medical care if your partner turns out to be positive and you also decide to go ahead with the marriage. Other STDs e.g. gonorrhea, syphilis, bacterial vaginosis and warts can be treated with proper medical care. This will reduce the risk of infertility and miscarriages.
- Blood Group compatibility test: Blood groups need to be compatible with each other to avoid problems during pregnancy like the Rhesus disease. It is a condition where antibodies in a pregnant woman’s blood destroy her baby’s blood cells. Women with rhesus negative blood group married to rhesus positive husbands have a greater chance of rhesus incompatibility where the growing fetus takes after the father in blood group causing this problem, and leading to intrauterine death and miscarriages.
- Fertility test: This is essential as these issues can then be addressed as early as possible without causing the unnecessary biological, psychological, social and emotional trauma one associates with barrenness.
- Genetic or chronic medical conditions testing: Early testing allows couples seek medical care before the medical conditions gets to its terminal stage. This test depends on the region and the common chronic/genetic condition seen in that society. However, this test should include screening for diabetes, test for hypertension, certain cancers, kidney disease and Haemoglobin Electrophoresis (Genotype), plus others as deemed necessary by your healthcare provider.
For a comprehensive Premarital Medical Screening, visit us at;
At e-Clinic and Diagnostics Limited Abuja, #3 Agadez Street, Off Aminu Kano Crescent. Wuse 2 Abuja.
