Male Infertility: Semen Analysis

Male infertility is very common and about 40% of infertile couples struggle with male factor infertility.  Unfortunately, despite being a very common cause of infertility a lot of men still find it hard to talk to their partners and doctors about their fertility and often avoid seeking treatment.  The good news is that male infertility is often treatable and it is easy to diagnose.

One of the first tests that should be done when evaluating a male for infertility is a semen analysis.  The semen analysis is typically done after abstaining from intercourse for at least 2 days but no more than 5 days, and collecting semen either by masturbation or in a collection condom during sexual intercourse.  I generally recommend abstaining from intercourse for at least two to three days before giving a sample to ensure the quality of the specimen.  If abstinence is too short or too long, it can effect sperm count and motility and may require a repeat semen analysis.

Moreover, sperm quality can be assessed by looking at three parameters on a semen analysis: sperm count, motility (movement), and morphology (sperm shape).  In general, very low sperm counts and motility are often indicative of  compromised fertility and very low sperm morphology can be predictive of low fertilization rates with in vitro fertilization. However, when it comes to getting pregnant, on occasion even abnormal semen parameters can be associated with a pregnancy.

If you think that you have male factor infertility, seek help...don't wait. Most forms of male infertility are treatable and the answer may be as easy as doing a semen analysis.  If in doubt, always seek help from a specialist.