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Male infertility accounts for 40-50% of all infertility cases and yet in about 50% of the cases, the cause of infertility is not determined. The reason is hesitation, embarrassment or taboo on getting a man checked for fertility.
The reproductive fertility in males depends upon the number of sperms produced. A normal male produces 15 million to 200 million sperms in 1 ml of semen. Low sperm count which is a common cause of male infertility is when the sperm count drops down below 15 million per millilitre. The lower sperm production may be due to varied reasons such as hormonal imbalance or varicocele. In any case, the underlying cause of infertility can be diagnosed and treated. The couples, however, shy away from getting fertility tested. The sooner you get yourself checked; the greater are your chances of having a baby. Hence, when couples are finding it difficult to conceive, both of them should undergo fertility testing.
The advanced lifestyle, hormonal imbalance, and other medical conditions hamper fertility in men. The common causes include:
Male fertility testing is similar to other body checkups and there is nothing to be worried about. Once you visit the doctor, he will first understand your past medical history thoroughly. This gives the doctor an idea of any underlying disease or genetic inherited condition that may affect fertility. The doctor will further analyze the genital area to check for signs of injuries or infections.
As male fertility depends highly on the quality and quantity of semen. Hence, a semen analysis is conducted to determine the concentration, shape, motility, and infections of sperm in the semen. In some cases, the doctor may run the test more than once to accurately determine the condition.
Some other tests may also be performed to check the motility of sperm after ejaculation. These tests determine the ability of sperm to penetrate the egg and the amount of sperm attaching to the egg.
A scrotal ultrasound is performed to look for the signs of varicocele or other diseased conditions associated with testes.
A blood test is also performed to check the levels of testosterone and other hormones affecting fertility.
In some cases, a small amount of semen may be present in the urine. If present, this accounts for retrograde ejaculation which affects fertility. Hence, this test is performed to confirm the condition.
In most cases, a lower sperm count is because of inherited or genetic conditions. Hence, a genetic blood test is performed to check for signs of genetic abnormalities or other congenital disorders.
Male infertility is common and it can be treated. Based on your condition, the doctor may advise the following treatment procedures: