Guide To Fertility Health Checks

Going for a fertility health check is an important first step for family planning in the future. Though health screenings are becoming more readily available in Singapore, many people are still unsure of its procedures. If you’re looking to go for a fertility health check in Singapore with your partner, read on for a beginner’s guide to the types, procedures, costs and clinics.

Types of fertility health checks in Singapore

There are multiple ways to check one’s fertility health in Singapore. The most common types include pelvic ultrasound scan, semen analysis and blood tests. As these are typically included in all fertility check packages, additional tests may also be required upon consultation with the doctor.

1. Pelvic ultrasound scan

Source

What it is for: Conducted on women, the pelvic ultrasound test accesses the uterus, uterus lining, ovaries and the pelvic areas. This is to estimate when ovulation is likely to occur according to one’s menstrual cycle. 

How the procedure works: Prior to your ultrasound, you will be required to drink 500ml of water. This will fill the bladder, allowing the doctor to visualise the internal structure of the pelvis. Take note that the ultrasound has to be conducted between day 2 to 6 of your menstrual cycle. Don’t worry if you are still menstruating at the time of your scan, as it is perfectly normal.

2. Semen analysis

Source

What it is for: Conducted on men, a semen analysis measures the number of sperms, the size and shape of sperms and the movement of sperms. This is to determine if the sperms are a reason for a male’s infertility. A sperm count is considered low if there is less than 15 million sperm per milliliter. 

How the procedure works: Doctors will often take around 2 to 3 samples to determine a male’s sperm health. This is done either through masturbation, sex with a condom on, withdrawing from sex before ejaculation and stimulated ejaculation by electricity. The most common way to collect samples is through masturbation.

3. Blood tests

Source

What it is for: Conducted on both genders but more often for women, blood tests measure for important hormones in the body. For women, these tests check for fertile growth of the egg, ovulation problems, tumours in the pituitary gland and more. For men, these tests can find the cause of low sex drive, inability to get an erection and infertility.

Besides checking for hormones, sometimes additional blood tests may be required to check for STDs. Fun fact, going for blood tests regularly is also a good practice to make sure that your body is healthy.

How the procedure works: Blood tests are a fairly quick and simple process. A nurse or doctor will take a blood sample from a vein and send it to a lab for testing.

Also read:

5 Health Screenings Women In SG Should Get In Their 20s For Early Detection & Peace Of Mind

Clinics in Singapore to get a fertility health check

Government hospitals

As government hospitals do not have fixed fertility health check packages, the tests you’ll be receiving are based on your assessment by the doctor. Here’s a pro-tip before making your way to one of the 3 government hospitals in Singapore on this list: get a referral from a polyclinic prior to your appointment to get a subsidised rate for your tests.

1. KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Source

For fertility screenings at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, blood and hormone tests will be conducted on women, while a semen analysis will be conducted on men. In the event that fertility treatment is required, the nurse coordinator at the hospital’s clinic, KKIVF, will provide you with all the information you require before making a decision. KKIVF is one of Singapore’s largest infertility centres, which offers a wide range of testing, diagnostic and treatment procedures.

Address: 100 Bukit Timah Road, Basement 1, Women’s Tower, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore 229899
Opening hours: 24 hours
Contact: Call 6294 4050 or email kkivf@kkh.com.sg
Booking: Call 6294 4050 to book an appointment
Website | Facebook

2. National University Hospital

Source

National University Hospital’s Clinic for Reproduction was set up for fertility checks and treating couples with fertility issues. Besides these services, the hospital also has specialists dedicated to caring for young adults and postmenopausal women.

Address: 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Zone D, D04-02, Kent Ridge Wing, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074
Opening hours: 8am to 5pm (Mondays to Fridays) | 8.30am to 12.30pm (Saturdays) | Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Contact: Call 6774 5336 or email CHR@nuhs.edu.sg
Booking: Call 6774 5336 to book an appointment
Website | Facebook | Instagram

3. Singapore General Hospital

Source

With a team of over 30 years of experience, the Centre for Assisted Reproduction in Singapore General Hospital has a full range of fertility assessment services. These also extend to assisted reproduction services for women, sperm enhancement for men, freeze banking, egg donation and more. If necessary, individualised treatment will be provided for couples to achieve the best possible outcome.

Address: Outram Road, Block 5, Level 1, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169608
Opening hours: 8am to 5pm (Mondays to Fridays) | 8am to 12pm (Saturdays) | Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Contact: Call 6321 4377
Booking: Call 6321 4377 to book an appointment
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Private fertility clinics

Some may prefer going to private clinics instead, so as to have the same specialised gynaecologist follow through with every appointment. Private clinics also tend to have a fixed basic package for you to estimate the potential costs you may incur. As there are a large variety of fertility clinics to choose from in Singapore, we’ve compiled a list of well-known clinics here. 

1. Astra Centre for Women & Fertility

Source

Astra Centre for Women & Fertility is the women’s health arm of Singapore Medical Group (SMG), with a network of private specialists. Besides the usual ultrasound scan and sperm test offered by most centres, the Couple Fertility Assessment includes a number of detailed couple consultations by the centre’s IVF clinician. 

Astra Centre ensures that everything is accessed before you take the next step with the gynaecologist. A comprehensive review of past fertility treatments, counselling on ovulation monitoring and calculation, and a treatment plan proposal for infertility will be done too.

Price: $400 nett for the Couple Fertility Assessment
Address: 38 Irrawaddy Road, #05-40, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore 329563
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm (Mondays to Tuesdays) | 9am to 1pm (Wednesdays) | 9am to 5pm (Thursdays to Fridays) | 9am to 1pm (Saturdays) | Closed on Sundays
Contact: Call 6333 6636
Booking: Fill in the appointment form on its website
Website | Facebook

2. GynaeMD Women’s & Rejuvenation Clinic

fertility health check

Source

GynaeMD Women’s & Rejuvenation Clinic is led by Dr Christopher Ng, president and founding member of the Overseas Medical Graduates Association. The Couple Infertility Assessment includes a medical history and physical examination, ultrasound scan and hysterosalpingography, semen analysis and ovulation assessment. 

The clinic also offers a range of aesthetic services for other issues such as acne and hair loss.

Price: $590 inclusive of GST for the Couple Infertility Assessment
Address: 1 Orchard Boulevard, #04-03A, Camden Medical Centre, Singapore 248649
Opening hours: 9am to 5.30pm (Mondays to Fridays) | 9am to 1pm (Saturdays) | Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Contact: Call 6733 8810 or email gynaemd@singnet.com.sg
Booking: Fill in the appointment form on its website
Website | Facebook

3. Mount Elizabeth Fertility Centre

fertility health check

Source

Situated within Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Fertility Centre has an established reputation for treating all types of medical conditions. The Basic Fertility Assessment includes pelvic ultrasound test, semen analysis and a couple consultation with the centre’s fertility specialist.

Besides your physical well-being, Mount Elizabeth Fertility Centre ensures that you have all the emotional support you need. Look to the stress management and counselling services to talk you through this journey if necessary.

Price: $374 including GST for the Basic Fertility Assessment
Address: 3 Mount Elizabeth, Level 3, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore 228510
Opening hours: 24 hours
Contact: Call 6731 2693 or email ivf@parkwaypantai.com
Booking: Fill in the appointment form on its website
Website | Facebook | Instagram

4. Raffles Fertility Centre

fertility health check

Source

Raffles Fertility Centre is part of Raffles Medical Group, Singapore’s largest homegrown private healthcare provider. The centre offers the extensive Raffles Fertility Assessment for Couples to detect any underlying infertility issues early. 

The package includes pelvic ultrasound test, egg reserve blood test, pap smear, thyroid stimulating hormone test, prolactin hormone test, semen analysis and a review of the results with a fertility specialist.

Price: $396.10 including GST for the Raffles Fertility Assessment for Couples
Address: 585 North Bridge Road, Level 12, Raffles Hospital, Singapore 188770
Opening hours: 8.30am to 6pm (Mondays to Fridays) | 8.30am to 1pm (Saturdays) | Closed on Sundays
Contact: Call 6311 1250 or fill in the enquiry form on its website
Booking: Call 6311 1250 or fill in the appointment form on its website
Website | Facebook | Instagram

5. Thomson Fertility Centre

fertility health check

Source

Thomson Fertility Centre is an established brand licensed by the Ministry of Health. Its Fertility Screening for Couples includes comprehensive blood tests, pelvic ultrasound scan, semen analysis and a review with the centre’s fertility specialist. Do note that the price of the package exclusives the first consultation. 

Additionally, Thomson Fertility Centre makes sure that couples are assessed for suitability before taking up the package. You’re in good hands to make sure you don’t have to pay for extra unnecessary tests while you’re there.

Price: $450 including GST for the Fertility Screening For Couples
Address: 290 Orchard Road, #19-01 (Access via Lift Lobby F), Paragon Medical Centre, Singapore 238859
Opening hours: 8.30am to 5pm (Mondays to Fridays) | 8am to 12.30pm (Saturdays) | Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Contact: Call 6252 7766 or email tfc@thomsonmedical.com
Booking: Call 6252 7766, email tfc@thomsonmedical.com, or fill in the appointment form on its website
Website | Facebook

6. Virtus Fertility Centre

fertility health check

Source

Virtus Fertility Centre is owned by Virtus Health, one of the world’s most successful fertility service providers. Before purchasing the fertility health check package, you can register for a free fertility seminar to learn more about the clinic and treatments available. 

The Couples Fertility Check Up includes a pelvic ultrasound, a semen analysis and a couple’s consultation with one of the fertility specialists who will develop a plan for pregnancy.

Price: $309 excluding GST for the Couples Fertility Check Up
Address: 9 Scotts Road, #09-01 to 05, Scotts Medical Center @ Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210
Opening hours: 8am to 5pm (Mondays to Fridays) | 8am to 12pm (Saturdays) | Closed on Sundays
Contact: Call 6460 4555
Booking: Call 6460 4555 or fill in the appointment form on its website
Website | Facebook

Importance Of Taking A Fertility Health Check In Singapore

If you and your partner have been unsuccessfully trying for a baby, we recommend going for a fertility health check in Singapore. As we’re moving on from old superstitions and taboos, there’s no shame in early detection for any possible forms of infertility. We hope that this guide will help you ease your fears and encourage you to find the most suitable fertility clinic.

Cover: Source, source

Also read:

Postnatal Depression: How I Overcame My Mental Health Crisis After It Sent Me To The Emergency Room