Male Infertility Tests

Fertility Tests for Men

Although many people still think of fertility as a “woman’s problem” up to half of all cases of infertility involve problems with the man. In fact, about 20% to 30% of the time, a man’s low fertility is the main obstacle to conception.

Only effective test for male infertility is semen analysis

So it’s crucial that men get tested for fertility as well as women. Yes, it can be embarrassing, but discovering male fertility problems early can mean earlier treatment and a successful pregnancy. Male infertility testing can also spare women unnecessary discomfort and expense.
Initial Male Infertility Evaluation

Doctors arbitrarily diagnose infertility when a couple hasn’t conceived a child after 12 months of unprotected and frequent sex. Impaired fertility may be a better description; many couples who keep trying will get pregnant in the second year or later.

A visit to a urologist should start the evaluation for male infertility. The urologist will likely begin with a basic interview and exam:

* A full medical and reproductive history, along with any surgeries you’ve had and medications you’re taking.
* Lifestyle questions, including exercise, smoking, and drug use.
* Physical exam.
* Frank discussion about your sexual life, including any problems with sex or previous sexually transmitted diseases.

In any evaluation for male infertility, the man will need to provide a sample of semen for analysis. The doctor will want the man to give the sample there, or at least someplace nearby, since it’s important that the analysis take place quickly.

Male Infertility Tests

Cutoff values for “normal” vary somewhat, depending on the lab and the interpreter, but the World Health Organization defines these as normal values:

Semen Analysis Parameter	Normal Values
Volume	2.0 ml or more
pH	7.2-8.0
Sperm concentration	20,000,000/ml or more
Motility	50% or more with forward progression
Rapid forward progressive motility	25% or more
Morphology	30% or more normal forms (WHO criteria) or 11% or more normal forms (Strict criteria)
Vitality	75% or more live
White blood cells	Less than 1,000,000/ml

Identifying the cause of a man’s infertility is as much art as science. Male infertility specialists differ in their approach, but here are some of the tests a man can expect: