Male infertility issues are no longer a taboo, everyone is discussing it and men are looking for the best ways to treat infertility. In that case, men should be aware of semen analysis tests, which provide important insights into sperm health and production.
Therefore, you can understand that semen analysis and male infertility are interconnected. Now, let’s know what exactly the condition is and how it can increase the chances of pregnancy.
Male infertility
A man can often identify infertility when he and his partner are trying for a baby. But is there any way to detect male infertility before reaching that stage? In many cases, yes. Men can anticipate possible fertility issues when they notice certain problems with sexual function. Here is a list of common symptoms:
A man’s inability to maintain an erection for sexual intercourse, difficulty with ejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, and even sensations like sperm cramps, a discomfort in the testicles during or after ejaculation—can all be signs pointing to underlying male infertility issues. Additionally, low libido may signal reduced sexual desire linked to hormonal imbalances.
Other physical symptoms include persistent pain, swelling, or lumps in the testicle area, unusual breast enlargement (gynecomastia), recurrent respiratory infections, unexplained fatigue, and a noticeable reduction in facial or body hair.
But how do you pinpoint the exact cause of these symptoms? That’s where medical evaluation plays a crucial role. Men experiencing any of these signs should consult a fertility specialist and undergo a semen analysis test. This simple but vital test evaluates sperm count, motility, and morphology to help diagnose male infertility accurately.
Do you know how this test works? Let’s explore it together.
Semen analysis
Analysing a man’s semen is a semen analysis, where a fertility expert will collect the ejaculatory sample and examine the status and production of sperm.
Through semen examination, men can know about their sperm count, quality, overall production, motility, shape, volume, appearance, and even acidity of sperm. However, who needs semen analysis?
This analysis test is highly preferable for men facing ejaculatory issues, infertility (inability to make their wife pregnant), and Klinefelter syndrome. Another reason for undergoing semen analysis is vasectomy, which is a birth control treatment and this test is done to confirm there is no sperm in the semen.
Therefore, only the semen analysis can be an infertility treatment?
Can semen analysis be a treatment for male infertility?
A semen analysis test is not a treatment for any male infertility issues. It helps doctors or fertility specialists to know whether their patient’s sperm is of good quality or not. Still, it can help with male infertility, so keep exploring to know how it is possible.
How does semen analysis help with male infertility?
As stated earlier, infertility and ejaculatory dysfunctions are two important reasons for undergoing semen analysis tests. Therefore, when the doctor suggests that men consider in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination. Evaluating the semen quality and sperm health helps to understand what the problem is.
Here are some specific sperm-related problems causing male infertility.
- Infections or inflammatory conditions including mumps virus after puberty affect sperm quality.
- Azoospermia and Oligospermia are two conditions that represent a complete absence of sperm in semen and low sperm count respectively.
As per these conditions and the female partner’s health status, the doctors will suggest which ARTs you should undergo. It can be in vitro fertilization, intrauterine insemination, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection to witness optimal pregnancy success.
Other than undergoing fertility treatments, men can also reverse some infertility conditions through these symptoms. Such things can create an impact on the overall health of men.
List some effective ways to treat male infertility
Concentrating only on four important things is more than enough to treat some of the infertility problems in men. Moreover, stress and following a sedentary lifestyle can be a huge barrier to a healthy pregnancy.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle modifications can effectively help in coping with reduced sperm quality and production. Males need to avoid a sedentary lifestyle and habits like drinking alcohol, consuming illegal drugs and tobacco, processed foods, and caffeinated drinks.
They must focus on following a healthy diet with adequate nutrients for enhanced sperm quality such as zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, folate, antioxidants, vitamin C, and selenium. Follow a proper sleep cycle, keep on doing things that you love, and reduce screen time.
Medications and Surgery
Utilizing the effectiveness of medications is also a good way to improve your fertility health. Consulting your healthcare provider is very crucial as they can prescribe certain medications and surgeries to enhance reproductive health.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs)
ARTs are techniques such as in vitro fertilization, intrauterine insemination, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Fertility experts test and evaluate your body thoroughly to identify which are the best ARTs for your body to get optimal pregnancy results according to your health.
Final thoughts
Male fertility is as important as female fertility when it comes to optimal pregnancy results and enhanced health. Semen analysis tests can provide sufficient information about a male’s sperm quality, semen production, and motility.
This helps doctors and men to make informed decisions about whether they can get results through natural methods or ARTs.
People also ask
Yeah, you can check their sperm count at home through the at-home test, you can purchase it online or at a nearby pharmacy. However, it can only measure the sperm count and doesn’t evaluate motility and quality of semen.
Semen analysis can give you results about the conditions of the sperm. Men can know the quality of the sperm, motility, shape, concentration, pH, white blood cell count, and volume. Healthcare providers can easily identify the abnormalities and health condition of the sperm with this test.
At least 15 million sperm should be there per ml of semen, which is mandatory for optimal conception results. Lesser than this count can decrease pregnancy chances and indicate you need to consume fertility-friendly foods.
This is completely based on the couple’s preference. When your partner and you are happy with using the donor’s sperm, then you can use it according to the healthcare provider’s advice.
Based on the intensity of male infertility, the condition would be reversible and irreversible. It’s because some medications and lifestyle changes can reverse male infertility and make your life better.
