The male partner is associated with 1/3rd of infertility instances, while another 1/3rd of infertility cases involve the female partner.
The remaining third includes both partners or infertility that is undiagnosed.
Male partner testing is a must for all infertile couples.
Even if a female partner’s fertility issue has been detected, this does not necessarily imply that the male partner’s fertility is in the normal range.
Before any treatments are recommended, a semen analysis is a crucial fertility test for infertile couples.
Semen analysis, often known as sperm count testing, provides more details than just a sperm count. Many men worry about the test and the subsequent results.
In this article, we will be looking at all semen analyses.
What Is Semen Analysis?
The white, thick fluid that[1] is expelled after ejaculation and contains sperm is known as semen.
When you ejaculate, the penis releases semen. Sperm, which is essential for reproduction, could be found in semen.
Males and anyone who makes sperm may be more susceptible to infertility if they have certain sperm production issues.
Couples who experience difficulty becoming or maintaining pregnancy are said to be infertile.
Ten percent of sperm producers may not be able to conceive on their own or have trouble getting a partner pregnant.
A battery of procedures called a semen analysis analyzes both sperm and semen.
A semen analysis may be requested by a doctor for several reasons, including to determine fertility or to determine whether a vasectomy was successful.
The quantity and caliber of a man’s sperm and semen are determined by a semen analysis. Sometimes, this test is referred to as a sperm count.
Why Do You Need To Do A Semen Analysis Test?
A sperm analysis may be necessary for a person for a variety of reasons.
A sperm analysis may be requested by some people or couples who are experiencing trouble getting pregnant.
According to some estimates, male factors may[2] account for 50 to 60 percent of cases of infertility in couples.
Up to 3 percent of men exhibit problems with their sperm due to one or more of the following:
- Low sperm count in a sample of semen
- Poor sperm movement, known as motility
- Abnormal sperm shape and size, known as morphology
A sperm analysis could be used to determine whether a vasectomy was successful for a person.
A vasectomy is a medical operation performed by doctors to permanently sterilize males.
For several months after a vasectomy, doctors often advise routine sperm testing to make sure there are no sperm still present in the semen.
How Is The Semen Analysis Test Carried Out?
A sample of semen is used for this examination. Different techniques might[3] be used to gather the sample.
Ejaculating into a sterile container in a secluded space in your healthcare provider’s office is the most typical and reliable method.
Additionally, you could obtain the sample at home by ejaculating inside a condom devoid of lubricants or additives.
However, the sample needs to be sent to the lab within an hour of ejaculation while being preserved at body temperature.
The sample may be taken using different techniques.
For instance, your doctor might employ a vacuum device that is wrapped around your penis to improve blood flow, which causes ejaculation.
It is possible to use a vibrator to promote ejaculation if you have spinal cord damage.
Since sperm quality varies, you could be required to provide two samples within a week or two.
How Is The Sample Procured For The Semen Analysis Test?
A semen sample is taken in a clean, wide-mouth container provided by the lab for the post-vasectomy sperm check.
The majority of laboratories demand that samples be taken on-site since the semen must be evaluated within sixty minutes following ejaculation to preserve the specimen’s quality.
Self-stimulation is used to collect sperm in a private setting. Some men may choose to use a condom to catch semen while having sex for personal reasons.
If so, the doctor or nurse should give the condom or sheath since lubricated condoms could interfere with test findings.
Sperm are extremely sensitive to temperature. If the sample collection is done at home, it should[4] be transported with the body nearby to maintain body temperature (37°C/98.6°F).
It shouldn’t be kept at room temperature for a lengthy amount of time.
After ejaculation, sperm motility declines, therefore timing and temperature are essential for obtaining reliable findings.
It could be necessary to redo the test if the sample is subpar.
What Do The Results Of The Semen Analysis Test Mean?
Your health history, gender, age, the procedure of the test, and several other factors could affect the test findings.
Therefore, to know about the significance of your test findings, consult your medical examiner.
Each procedure’s ranges are as follows:
- The amount of time taken by the semen to transform from a gel-like texture to a watery texture after collection (liquefaction time): 13 to 24 minutes
- Semen volume: 3 to 6 mL (milliliters)
- Sperm count: 25 m/mL (million per milliliter)
- Acidity (pH): 7.5 to 7.9
- The size and shape of the sperm (sperm morphology): 75% to 85% normally shaped
- The sperm’s ability to move rapidly (sperm motility): 65% to 85% actively moving
You may be more or less fertile depending on your test results. Men with low sperm counts could sometimes be fertile and men with high sperm counts could[5] be subfertile.
How To Get Ready For A Semen Analysis Test?
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Give Up Sex For 3 to 5 Days
For 3 to 5 days, the man must refrain from having sex or masturbating. He must ejaculate at least once in the 4 to 6 days before the appointment.
Insufficient semen volume and sperm density result from too little time, while decreased sperm motility from too much time compromises the validity of the examination.
The optimum semen sample to test is one that[6] has been stored for three to five days, not less or more.
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Refrain From Going If You’re Sick
A semen analysis should not be done if you are sick or have had a lot of alcohol recently.
Due to the possibility of low sperm count, dormant, or dead sperm at this time.
Overall, it will also compromise the test’s accuracy.
What Is The Cost Of The Semen Analysis Test?
A semen analysis might range in price.
The location of the test, whether or if other tests are carried out during the same visit, and whether or not the semen analysis is covered by your health insurance plan all affect the price.
It’s crucial to speak with your doctor, your insurance provider, and/or the hospital where the test is conducted if you have any concerns regarding the price of infertility testing or semen analysis.
Conclusion
The male reproductive cells known as sperm are found in the ejaculate. A procedure called semen analysis allows a doctor to determine a patient’s sperm count.
A milliliter of sperm usually contains between 50 million and 350 million sperm.
People could consult their doctor about a range of medical options to increase fertility in addition to making lifestyle changes.
References/Sources
- Meera Sunder; Stephen W. Leslie. Semen Analysis Last Update: October 30, 2021. Available from:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564369/
- S. S. Vasan Semen analysis and sperm function tests: How much to test? Indian J Urol. 2011 Jan-Mar; 27(1): 41–48.doi: 10.4103/0970-1591.78424
- Daniel R Franken and Sergio Oehninger Semen analysis and sperm function testing Asian J Androl. 2012 Jan; 14(1): 6–13.Published online 2011 Dec 19. doi: 10.1038/aja.2011.58
- R A Appell, P R Evans, J P Blandy The effect of temperature on the motility and viability of sperm Br J Urol. 1977;49(7):751-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-410x.1977.tb04566.x. Available from:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23196/
- Anthony Hirsh Male subfertility BMJ. 2003 Sep 20; 327(7416): 669–672.doi: 10.1136/bmj.327.7416.669
- Christina Wang,and Ronald S. Swerdloff Limitations of Semen Analysis as a Test of Male Fertility and Anticipated Needs from Newer Tests Fertil Steril. 2014 Dec; 102(6): 1502–1507.Published online 2014 Nov 25. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.10.021
- About the Author
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Michael has been in the male wellness industry for 25+ years. Before joining Working For Health as a full-time male wellness journalist, he contributed to multiple online portals in the male wellness field. Before that, he has been an assistant to several sexologists.