Family & Society

What health tests are commonly recommended before marriage?

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There is no single medical panel appropriate for every couple. A clinician may consider complete blood count and haemoglobin analysis for thalassemia, hepatitis B and C, HIV, blood group and Rh status, vaccination review, and tests guided by symptoms, exposure or family history. Fertility tests are not routine proof of future fertility, and virginity testing has no scientific validity. Selection should follow confidential medical assessment and informed consent; unnecessary testing can produce false reassurance, incidental findings, stigma and avoidable cost.

Evidence

Sources used

publicHealthGuidance · 2025

About Thalassemia

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Public-health explanation of inherited thalassemia, traits and disease.View source
medicalReference · 2013

Prevention of Thalassaemias and Other Haemoglobin Disorders

Thalassaemia International Federation, NCBI Bookshelf

International reference on carrier screening, counseling and national prevention programs.View source
Academic Research · 2021

Genetic Counseling and Screening of Consanguineous Couples and Their Offspring

Journal of Genetic Counseling

Practice resource explaining recurrence risk, family history and counseling for related couples.View source
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