The diagnosis for male infertility begins with a medical history review, physical examination and semen analysis. After a diagnosis is made, you and your doctor will examine the various kinds of treatments available for male infertility.
When a couple thinks they may be infertile, the spouse usually tested initially is the man, as male examination and testing is less complicated than that for women.
A thorough review of the man's medical and surgical history is necessary because chronic disease, pelvic injury, childhood illness, abdominal or reproductive organ surgery, recreational drug use and medications can affect fertility.
A physical examination may detect testicular irregularities, evidence of hormonal disorders or evidence of testosterone deficiency.
While assessing reproductive-fertility history, your doctor will probably inquire about the following:
Because semen quality can affect sperm function and movement, a semen analysis is performed to examine the entire ejaculate.
Generally, three semen samples are taken at different times to account for variables such as temperature and error.
The semen fluid test examines possible impediments to sperm performance. Sperm may swim more slowly through cervical mucus if they’re contained in abnormally thick semen, which can inhibit fertilization. Abnormal sperm shape can also indicate poor sperm health.
Other semen tests focus on sperm's ability to swim through cervical mucus and enter an egg.
6 sperm factors are analyzed in semen analysis:
To identify diseases that affect fertility, such as kidney disease, diabetes, and repeated urinary tract infection (UTI), post-ejaculation urinalysis may also be performed.
Blood tests may also identify disorders that impair testosterone and sperm production.
Azoospermia is the absence of sperm in the semen. Men with normal reproductive tracts and hormone systems can have azoospermia due to a lack of sperm-producing tissue in the testes or an obstruction.