What happens if a man takes a pregnancy test (and it comes positive)?

What if the pregnancy test comes positive?

“Certain types of cancers, especially testicular cancer, can produce hCG as a marker. That’s why a positive pregnancy test in a man is sometimes considered a warning sign of a serious underlying health issue. It should never be ignored or taken lightly,” he shared.

According to him, if such a result occurs, immediate evaluation is necessary to rule out testicular tumors or other rare conditions. So, while the test is not meant for men, a positive result can point toward something important that needs quick medical attention.

“Even today, discussions about fertility in men are uncommon; it is a taboo and the condition is not regarded as the root cause of couples experiencing challenges to conceive. This can lead to trauma and stress, especially in Indian society, which places immense importance on child-bearing. Men usually don’t have the right knowledge and perception about their reproductive health due to the lack of education. Most men don’t see urologists or infertility experts until required. It is necessary that men are aware and understand male infertility for getting early diagnosis and treatment, where needed,” Dr Kshitiz Murdia, CEO and co-founder, Indira IVF told indianexpress.com.

According to Dr Murdia, addressing male fertility issues “will limit the extent of stigma women have faced with respect to infertility through generations”.

Can a man’s pregnancy test come positive? (Source: Freepik)

Understanding certain lifestyle practices can help all men to maintain good reproductive health. He suggested the following:

Visit your doctor regularly: If you want to maintain your overall reproductive health, you should make an appointment with your doctor right away. Your doctor can keep a track of your health and take actions to prevent the issues beforehand.

Quit smoking, tobacco and limit alcohol: Smoking is toxic. Smoking is one of the prominent reasons that cause erectile dysfunction in men. Quitting can overcome this situation. Also, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can affect your fertility too. Occasional drinking may be considered acceptable.

Practise good hygiene: This is one of the most basic rules to follow. Practise regular genital hygiene to prevent the accumulation of germs in your genitals that can potentially cause infections.

Manage lifestyle disorders: Obesity can affect fertility in several ways. Maintenance of a proper nutritional diet and right physical activity will ensure that the reproductive system is in good health. Exercise for at least 15-20 minutes daily and minimise stress as much as possible.

Prevent infections: Sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause infertility in men. This can be kept in check by limiting your number of sexual partners, using protection during intercourse and going for regular tests to screen for STIs.

“Fertility challenges are often quite stressful for both men and women. Greater awareness of risks and lifestyle factors associated with infertility can allow men to take adequate steps to safeguard their reproductive health and overall well-being. Providing focused reproductive health information about male fertility could bring issues to light and raise awareness to empower men to take charge of their own health,” said Dr Murdia.