Different Methods For Analyzing the Fertility in Men

Many people still consider infertility as a 'female problem,' although nearly half of all infertility cases involve problems with men. About 20-30% of infertility cases are due to the low fertility of men. This fact makes it necessary for men to get themselves tested for low fertility, along with their spouses. This can be very embarrassing for some, but early testing means early treatment and successful pregnancy. You can spare your spouse from undergoing unnecessary discomfort by getting yourself tested.

Initial evaluation of male infertility

Many doctors diagnose infertility if you haven't conceived a child after a year of frequent and unprotected sex. Impaired infertility, however, would be a better diagnosis, since most couples are able to conceive if they keep trying for the second year or even later. If you still can't conceive after the third year, a visit to a urologist should begin the evaluative process for male infertility. This process begins with an interview and a physical examination. You need to provide a comprehensive reproductive and medical history, a list of medications you have been taking and any surgeries you may have undergone. You will also be asked lifestyle questions that include topics such as smoking, exercise and drug use. You need to be frank about your sex life, including sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or other problems. Your urologist will also require a sample of your semen for infertility analysis.

Tests for male infertility

Identifying the cause of your infertility follows once it has been diagnosed. Specialists generally differ in their approach, but you can expect some of the following tests: semen and sperm analysis, along with a thorough physical examination, ideally by a urologist, is required to measure the size of your testicles and to detect varicoceles or hormonal problems, if any. Your doctor may also ask you to undergo a hormonal evaluation because it is testosterone and other hormones that control the production of sperm in your body. Experts, however, believe that most cases of male infertility are not caused by hormonal imbalances. Genetic testing can pinpoint the specific reasons for male infertility, including problems with the sperm.

Sperm and semen analysis

During a detailed sperm and semen analysis, your urologist will assess your sperm count along with other variables such as the movement and shape of your sperm. If a large number of your sperm has a normal shape, you will likely have higher fertility. But there are exceptions. There are many men who have abnormal semen or a low sperm count but are still fertile. About 15% of male infertility cases are not linked to low sperm counts or abnormally-shaped semen. If your sperm and semen analysis is normal, your doctor might ask you to get tested again, simply to confirm the result. However, two normal test results do not necessarily mean you don't suffer from infertility. If your doctor finds something irregular in the test results, you might be asked to undergo further tests to identify the problem. If you have a condition called azoospermia (absence of sperm or semen), it might be due to some kind of blockage that can probably be treated with corrective surgery.

Anti-sperm antibodies

Some men produce abnormal antibodies that act against the sperm when it is on the way to the egg and prevent fertilization. In such cases, the sperm count is usually normal, but it is largely absent in the semen. If your sperm count is normal but does not appear in your semen, there could be several reasons for this, including retrograde ejaculation, absence of the sperm pipeline, obstructions between the penis and the testicles

Most couples experiencing infertility problems usually diagnose the cause through testing. Correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment are effective in most cases of male infertility.