When Do I Need To Have Genetic Testing If We're Having Issues Getting Pregnant?

At what point would I need to undergo genetic testing if I am interested in fatherhood, or I’m having trouble fathering a pregnancy? 

From a male fertility standpoint, the main situation that would require genetic testing is if you are not having success in fathering a pregnancy, and you have a semen analysis that shows you have a low number of sperm. In this case, you should have a full fertility evaluation performed, and specific genetic testing would be recommended by your fertility specialist to assess for any genetic diagnoses that specifically may be contributing to your fertility issues. The tests are blood tests, and can sometimes take a few days to return. 

If you’re not having any issues with getting pregnant/haven’t started trying, but are interested in genetic testing for whatever reason (i.e. having family history of certain diseases) then the first step is to talk to your primary care physician to discuss your concerns and potentially have the genetic testing performed. These would be genetic testing to look for certain diseases that you could pass on to your children - these would NOT be the type of genetic tests that would look for issues with fertility.

*This post is for educational purposes only, and should not be taken as medical advice. If you have personal medical questions, consult with your personal physician* 

Keywords: Male infertility, fertility boosters, reproductive health, men's health, men's prenatal vitamins, reproductive wellness, sexual wellness