Understanding Male Factor Infertility- Semen Analysis
Did you know that male factor infertility accounts for almost half of all infertility cases? It’s a common issue that many men face, but it's not talked about as often as female infertility.
As part of a comprehensive approach, we order a semen analysis for every male partner after taking a thorough medical history review.
What is a Semen Analysis?
A semen analysis is a lab test that evaluates male fertility. The test is usually done by having the partner collect a masturbated sample after abstaining from intercourse for 3-7 days. The sample is ejaculated into a sterile container, usually a sterile wide-mouth urine cup, either at home or in the office. The analysis evaluates:
- Specimen Volume
- Sperm Concentration
- Total Sperm Count
- Motility
- Morphology
Semen Analysis Metrics
Specimen Volume
Specimen Volume refers to the amount of semen produced.
Usual Parameter: 1.5 ml or greater
Sperm Concentration
Sperm Concentration measures the density of sperm within a given volume of semen.
Usual Parameter: Greater than or equal to 15 x 106 spermatozoa
Sperm Count
Usual Parameter: Between 20-100 million sperm.
Generally, anything below 20 million is considered a low sperm count. However, sperm numbers can change daily, weekly and monthly. Colds, flus, STDs, infections, antibiotics, temperature and ejaculation frequencies will affect the number. Men with sperm counts of well below 20 million have often been able to father children.
Morphology
Morphology is the shape of the sperm. Abnormally shaped sperm appear with malformed heads (two heads, tiny heads, round heads) and tails (two tails, short tails). These shapes tend to affect their motility.
Usual Parameter: Anything greater than or equal to 4% normally shaped sperm indicates good morphology based off Krueger Strict criteria.
Motility
Motility is the ability of sperm to move forward by swimming inside the vagina, through the cervix, and into the fallopian tubes, where it could fertilize an egg.
Usual Parameter: More than 40% motile
Next Steps After Semen Analysis
After conducting a semen analysis, Dr. Miller carefully reviews the results and recommends the best next steps for the couple. Depending on the findings, this may involve treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), or the use of donor sperm. Each treatment plan is tailored to address the specific needs and challenges identified during the analysis.
Whether you are with a partner or are ready to move ahead on your own, schedule an initial consultation with us today and learn more
