Fertility Tests For Men

The moment one is planning for a baby, fertility and problems related to fertility become hot-button issues. This topic has been widely discussed to help more and more individuals become aware of the situation and deal with it on time.

While the common idea is that infertility is a condition that occurs only in women, it should not be surprising if one gets to hear that men can contribute to infertility as well. Today, more and more fertility challenges are identified due to the male partner. According to research, infertility due to men is seen in about 40% of infertility cases. But it is not something that cannot be addressed. There is a treatment or a strategy to resolve most issues if treatment is sought early.

Men with fertility issues need to understand that it is a common problem, and there is no need to be apprehensive about it. First and foremost, when a woman fails to get pregnant, one needs to know if there is a problem related to fertility in the male counterpart or the woman. Several fertility tests have been devised to detect these problems. The procedure could begin with a general physical exam to understand the general health condition, past medical history, lifestyle, or chronic medications. Next, specific tests would be recommended to map out the underlying cause.

What are the fertility tests for men?

LH (Luteinizing hormone), FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone), and Testosterone are hormones in men that are responsible for the production of sperm and sexual development. It is therefore essential for these normal to be at normal levels. So, a blood test could be recommended to examine the stories of these hormones.

A sample of semen (ejaculatory fluid) is taken to test and analyze the morphology, motility, and concentration of the sperm in the semen. An average count should be approximately 15 million per 1 ml of semen.

A low concentration of sperm in semen analysis could indicate a genetic condition leading to infertility. A genetic study could help figure out if there is abnormal DNA, which could, in turn, cause abnormal sperm function and thereby reduce fertility.

If needed, many new tests are also carried out – DNA fragmentation index to identify if the DNA material is damaged or intact, Karyotyping – to identify gene abnormalities, etc.

This test uses ultrasound waves to create images of the scrotum that contains testicles, and these images are displayed on the computer screen, and results are interpreted.

This test helps detect any abnormality of the testicles such as:

• Injury to the testicles

• Dilation or swelling of veins in the scrotum (varicocele)

• Size of the testicles

• Testicular torsion (twisting of the testicle)

• Infection

• Tumours or cysts in the scrotum

• Absence of testicle

• Undescended testicle

Sometimes men can produce abnormal antibodies that can attack the sperm when reaching the egg, preventing a woman from getting pregnant.

Post ejaculatory urine analysis: A test for the presence of sperm in urine to identify any ejaculatory issues such as retrograde ejaculation.

The test includes carefully examining the external male genitalia to check for sensation—other underlying health conditions like cardiac disease or diabetes cause ED. A blood sample could also be taken to identify any such condition. Every day counts. Therefore, it is essential not to delay fertility testing and treatment (if required).