Not many guys ever think that they will have to get their little swimmers tested to see how they perform. Male infertility is now a much larger issue than it was years ago. The semen or sperm analysis is one of the first tests for the male to see how fertile he is. [...]]]>

Sperm Analysis & Evaluation

Not many guys ever think that they will have to get their little swimmers tested to see how they perform. Male infertility is now a much larger issue than it was years ago. The semen or sperm analysis is one of the first tests for the male to see how fertile he is. Semen analysis terminology can be a bit confusing at first but if you can learn the basics of what’s involved in the semen analysis and evaluation, you can decipher the reports and understand your fertility specialist a bit better.

What is a semen analysis?

Simply put, a semen analysis measures the amount of semen that is produced by a man and determines the quantity and quality of sperm in the semen sample taken.

A semen analysis is usually one of the first tests done since it’s a simple procedure (a little embarrassing the first time but non the less, simple!) and can give a lot of information. Research shows that sperm issues affect more than one-third of the couples who are infertile.

A standard semen analysis will test for the following:

• Volume. Measures how much semen is in one ejaculation.
• Liquefaction time. Liquefaction time measures the time it takes for the semen to liquefy.
• Sperm count. The number of sperm present per milliliter (mL) of semen in one ejaculation.
• Sperm morphology. This is a measure of sperm that have a normal shape.
• Sperm motility. This is a measure of sperm that can move forward normally.
• pH. This is a measure of the acidity (low pH) or alkalinity (high pH) of the semen.
• White blood cell count. White blood cells are not commonly found in semen.
• Fructose level. Measures the amount of fructose in semen.

Why is the semen analysis done?

There are a few reasons why a semen analysis is done. One of the most common reasons is when there is suspicion that the male has fertility issues. A semen analysis can also be done to check if a vasectomy has been successful or to see if a vasectomy reversal has been successful.

How do I get ready for a semen analysis

Getting ready for a semen analysis is pretty basic. You are usually asked to avoid sexual activity that ends in ejaculation for 2 to 5 days before the semen analysis and evaluation. This is pretty standard practice for a semen analysis and ensures that your semen count is at its highest for the evaluation. On the other hand, it’s not good to go too long without ejaculation, for example 1-2 weeks. This could alter your results as you might have inactive sperm. Stick with the 2-5 day scenario and you should be okay. For some, 2 days is optimal and for others, 5 days is better. I know guys…even going one day is tough but hang in there!

How is the semen analysis done?

The primary purpose of a semen analysis is to get a full and clean sample of a guys sperm. This is most often done in a doctor’s office such as a urologist or a male fertility specialist. You will usually be left in a room where you will be left a semen sample cup as well as a sheet with some information you will have to fill out after you ejaculate into the cup. If you are lucky, you might have a few magazines to browse through! If not, see if your wife or partner can join you to “help” out. Whatever you do, make sure you get the whole ejaculation in the cup that is provided so you can get the best results possible. If you miss the cup, let the doctor or specialist know.

There are also times when you can collect semen at home and bring it in to the doctor in a special container but giving a fresh semen sample at the doctor’s office is recommended. When done at home, you will need to get the semen sample to the doctor within one hour. Consult with your doctor on all of your options.

Semen samples vary from day to day so you might need to give multiple samples over a 3 month period to get accurate readings.

Are there any risks from doing a semen analysis?

No.

What results will I get from the semen analysis?

A semen analysis and evaluation will give you measurements on the amount of semen a man produces, will determine the number of sperm present and also check for the quality of the sperm. Each lab might be a bit different but they usually all seek the same information.

What factors can affect the semen analysis?

There are several factors that can affect the semen analysis results.

• Some medications including hormone and chemotherapy medications
• Alcohol and caffeine
• Drugs such as cocaine, marijuana
• Smoking
• The temperature of the semen sample
• Radiation, chemicals and other toxins
• Too long or too short of time between ejaculations
• Stress and poor lifestyle choices

If your semen analysis and evaluation comes back and shows you have low sperm, low motility or a high percentage of abnormal sperm, additional testing might been needed to help diagnose your infertility. Some of the other tests include testing hormone levels such as testosterone, LH or luteinizing hormone, FSH or follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin. Several semen analysis and hormone tests might be needed over a 3 month to 1 year period to get the best results.

Just remember, knowledge is power. It’s impossible to know if you have sperm issues unless you get tested. There is no way of just “knowing”. If you have concerns, make an appointment. It’s a simple and painless test that can help get you to the end product quicker…and that end product is pregnancy.

Learn more about sperm morphology

What is Sperm Morphology?

Sperm morphology is one piece of the semen analysis puzzle. Sperm morphology refers to the size and shape of the sperm. When sperm morphology is tested, they look for a percentage of sperm that seem to appear normal when viewed under a microscope. Abnormal sperm morphology is one cause [...]]]>

Examples of Abnormal Sperm

Sperm morphology is one piece of the semen analysis puzzle. Sperm morphology refers to the size and shape of the sperm. When sperm morphology is tested, they look for a percentage of sperm that seem to appear normal when viewed under a microscope. Abnormal sperm morphology is one cause of male infertility.

When looking at sperm under the microscope, doctors look for sperm that have an oval head and long tail. This is considered normal. Abnormal sperm can have many defects such as head and tail defects including crooked or double tail. These abnormal sperm have a very difficult time reaching the egg and fertilizing it.

Causes of Sperm Morphology

There are many causes of abnormal sperm morphology including:

• infections
• exposure to toxins
• varicocele veins in the scrotum
• fever and extreme heat
• lifestyle
• drug and alcohol use
• testicular abnormalities

How Do I Know If I Have Abnormal Sperm?

First steps in finding out if you have sperm morphology issues is getting a semen analysis. If it’s determined that you do have abnormal sperm morphology, it will probably be recommended by your doctor to repeat semen analysis in a month or so to determine any changes and to tell if the sperm abnormalities are temporary or permanent.

What To Do If I Have Abnormal Sperm Morphology

If your analysis does come back showing abnormal sperm morphology, don’t get too worried without letting your doctor do a full examination. There are things that can be done such as intrauterine insemination or IVF. Your doctor will know the best track of fertility treatments for your situation.

Learn more about the semen analysis and evaluation

Over the past several years, there have been huge technical advances in the treatment of infertility. Even the most infertile couples can now become pregnant and give birth due to Assisted Reproductive Technology procedures such as in vitro fertilization. But, even [...]]]> Guys – Increase Your Sperm Count, Improve Morphology & Motility – Naturally

Male Infertility

Male infertility make up about 50% of infertile couples, even with all of the female infertility issues including ovulation disorders, tubal issues and uterine abnormalities. It was always thought that the female was the primary cause of infertility and that is just not the case.

Furthermore, males are much less likely to take a proactive approach to infertility and get evaluated sooner than later. Only when a couple has trouble getting pregnant is when the male undergoes fertility testing. As common as male infertility is, creating more awareness to males is essential in diagnosing infertility before a couple has wasted precious time trying to get pregnant.

Below is a list of factors that could possibly affect male fertility. Sometimes, male infertility is unknown but ruling out certain factors can possibly help you pinpoint the cause of male infertility.

There are many more causes of male infertility but being able to eliminate from a list of common factors is a great start. If you ever have concerns that you might have fertility problems, make an appointment with either a urologist or a fertility specialist who specializes in male infertility.

Guys don’t often think about infertility until they get married and decide to have children. It’s just not in our DNA to sit there and worry if we have enough sperm and if they are healthy enough to fertilize an egg. [...]]]> Guys – Increase Your Sperm Count, Improve Morphology & Motility – Naturally

Guys don’t often think about infertility until they get married and decide to have children. It’s just not in our DNA to sit there and worry if we have enough sperm and if they are healthy enough to fertilize an egg. There’s really no way to just “tell” if you are infertile or not. It not something you can feel or notice. Testing must be done in order to diagnose male infertility.

So, how do you know when to go get checked out? There is no right or wrong answer. Some people like to take the laid back approach and try naturally for awhile. If after one year of trying to get pregnant with no success, it might be a good time to schedule an appointment with a urologist. Male infertility adds up to about 50% of all cases of infertility. It’s not just a female issue. If you are more proactive, you might just want to schedule the appointment as soon as possible to get an idea of how fertile or infertile you are. Whatever you decide to do, your first step is likely an appointment with a urologist who specializes in male factor infertility. Make sure you do your research before you choose a doctor.

The first appointment with your urologist is both basic and also a little embarrassing. Some routine testing is done along with an examination to get some feedback on your fertility. Common tests include blood draws, a scrotal examination to check for blockages, etc, and the dreaded semen analysis. With these simple tests, they can help determine your level of fertility. The blood draw and semen analysis might have to be done a few times over the course of a month or two to get the most accurate diagnosis. The blood draw will check for hormone levels while the semen analysis will check the sperm count, sperm motility (upward movement), sperm morphology (abnormalities), volume, liquefaction time, pH and white blood cell count. There are more complex tests such as the Strict Kruger Morphology test which looks at the level of abnormal sperm. The urologist will be able to determine if Strict Kruger testing is needed.

After you leave your semen sample at the doctor’s office, it will take a few days before you get your analysis back. The urologist will then be able to figure out the best path of treatment for your infertility diagnosis. Treatments can range from fertility medications to diet adjustments, to lifestyle changes, to surgery. The urologist will give you the best options for overcoming infertility upon receiving your analysis and other test results.

Remember, infertility is not uncommon. The cases have grown over the years and this is not just as much a male issue as it is a female issue. There are treatments for moderate to severe infertility such as IUI, IVF and many medications to help improve fertility. If you do want to speed up the process of getting pregnant and you have tried naturally without success, be proactive and get checked out. In the long run, it could save a lot of valuable time.