Male infertility tests
Male infertility is a common reason why couples can’t get pregnant. In about half of these cases, the man has a fertility issue. Doctors use specific tests to check a man’s sperm health and overall reproductive function. These tests help them find the cause and choose the right treatment.
Let’s look at the main tests used to understand male fertility problems.
When are male infertility tests needed?
Doctors recommend testing when a couple can’t conceive after one year of regular, unprotected sex. If the woman is over 35, testing may begin after six months. Men should also get tested sooner if they:
- Had testicle injuries or infections in the past
- Received chemotherapy or radiation for cancer
- Were born with undescended testicles
- Have trouble ejaculating or getting an erection
Testing early can help couples make better decisions about treatment. It also helps doctors prepare for fertility options like IVF or IUI.
Medical history and physical examination
The doctor starts by asking about your health history. They’ll want to know about:
- Past illnesses or surgeries in your groin area
- Use of medicines, steroids, or testosterone
- Habits like smoking, drinking, or using hot tubs
Next, the doctor checks your genitals during a physical exam. They look at testicle size and firmness and check for any visible problems. One common issue is varicocele, which means veins in the scrotum have become enlarged. This can raise the temperature around the testicles and affect sperm production.
This first visit often gives helpful clues and helps the doctor decide what tests you need next.
Semen analysis
The semen analysis is the main test doctors use to check male fertility. You provide a semen sample, usually after 2 to 5 days without ejaculation. The lab then checks several sperm features:
- Sperm count: Shows how many sperm are in each milliliter. A low count may cause problems.
- Motility: Tells how well sperm can move. Weak movement lowers the chance of reaching the egg.
- Morphology: Looks at the sperm’s shape. Odd shapes don’t work as well.
- Semen volume and fluidity: These affect how sperm travel.
Because sperm quality can change, doctors often ask for a second test a few weeks later. Stress, illness, or lack of sleep can affect the results. Repeating the test helps doctors confirm if there’s a real problem.
Male Infertility Test: Hormone testing and advanced sperm assessments
When the semen test shows problems, doctors often check hormone levels. Hormones control how your body makes sperm. A simple blood test shows if your body is making the right amounts of these hormones:
- FSH and LH: Help your body make sperm and testosterone
- Testosterone: Needed for sex drive and sperm production
- Prolactin and estradiol: Can reveal hormone imbalance
Hormone levels that are too high or low can point to issues in the brain or testicles. Sometimes, medication or hormone therapy can fix the problem.
Doctors may also recommend more sperm tests. These check if sperm are alive, if they have DNA damage, or if the body is creating antibodies against them. These tests help when couples face unexplained infertility or repeated pregnancy loss.
Male Infertility Tests: Imaging and genetic evaluation
When no sperm are found in semen (azoospermia), doctors use imaging tests. They perform a scrotal ultrasound to check the testicles and look for problems like blockages, cysts, or varicocele. They may also do a transrectal ultrasound to view the prostate and the tubes that carry sperm.
If sperm count stays very low, doctors may look at your genes. They order genetic tests to find inherited conditions that affect sperm production. These tests include:
- Karyotyping: Looks for extra or missing chromosomes
- Y-chromosome microdeletion test: Checks if important genes are missing
- CFTR gene test: Finds mutations linked to missing sperm ducts
Genetic results help explain some causes of infertility. They also help couples understand if there’s a risk of passing these conditions to children.
Testicular biopsy and sperm retrieval
If semen contains no sperm but your hormone levels look normal, doctors may suggest a testicular biopsy. In this minor surgery, they remove a tiny piece of tissue from your testicle and check it for sperm under a microscope.
The biopsy shows one of two main results:
- Your body makes sperm, but a blockage keeps it from leaving the testicle (obstructive azoospermia)
- Your testicles don’t make enough sperm or make none at all (non-obstructive azoospermia)
Even if sperm don’t appear in semen, doctors may find healthy sperm inside the testicle. They can retrieve sperm using special procedures like:
- TESA (testicular sperm aspiration)
- Micro-TESE (microsurgical sperm extraction)
Doctors use these sperm for ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), a special IVF method where one sperm is injected directly into an egg.
Parenthood is a beautiful, life-changing journey that every person deserves to embark on. We at Gyn Care IVF are here to assist and accompany you on every step of this journey. With state-of-the-art facilities, renowned medical professionals and a passion for making your wishes come true, Gyn Care IVF ensures an affordable, but qualitative experience. Gain all necessary information about IVF in Athens by contacting us via WhatsApp or E-Mail and enjoy your stay!
