Fertility Tests for Males

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there are an estimated 60 to 80 million infertile couples in the world. Earlier, it was believed that not being able to conceive was due to female problems. It is now recognized that a couple’s infertility could be due to disorders in the female reproductive system, the male’s reproductive tract or in both.

It is estimated that infertility is:

• solely due to the female in around 40% of the cases;
• around 30% is due solely to male factors; and
• 30% is due to a combination of both partners having abnormalities in their reproductive systems.

Infertility in women can be treated more successfully than in men. If a couple having normal, unprotected sex have been unsuccessful in conceiving for over a year, then it is important for both partners to get themselves tested for infertility. Studies show that approximately 50% of infertility cases are related to male infertility factors. If you are concerned about your fertility, it is a good idea to get in touch with your health provider and get yourself investigated for possible infertility.

So, what does testing for male infertility entail?

1. Medical History: Your health provider will require your medical history which will normally include details about your age, your sexual and birth control practices, medications you are taking or have been taking, your use of caffeine, tobacco, alcohol or drugs like marijuana etc., your exercise patterns and any history of sexually transmitted diseases.
2. Comprehensive Physical Examination: A physical examination will be conducted to assess your overall health and to check for any obvious signs of infertility which will probably include a testicular examination.
3. Semen Analysis: A simple procedure, you will be required to collect your sperm in a specimen jar for testing. The semen will be analyzed to check for volume of ejaculate, appearance, sperm count, motility and morphology, all of which have a bearing on male fertility.

Depending upon the results of the above tests, you may be required to undergo further investigations that could include blood or urine tests.

• Blood samples will be taken to test levels of testosterone and Luteineizing Hormone (LH – which indicates if there is a problem in the pituitary gland).
• Urine samples would be required to check if there are any signs of sexually transmitted disease or for the presence of sperm pointing to retrograde ejaculation (where the ejaculate flows back into the bladder).

If your health provider thinks that it is necessary to conduct further investigations, they will most probably include the following:

1. Vasography: An x-ray test that determines if there is a leakage or blockage of sperm in the vans deferens.
2. Ultrasonography: A test employed to locate the presence of a blockage or damage in the male reproductive tract including seminal vesicles, prostrate or ejaculatory ducts.
3. Antibody Test: Doctors are not entirely agreed on the value of antibody testing for determining infertility. However, if recommended, this test will be conducted to check for antisperm antibodies in the blood or seminal secretions.
4. Genetic Test (chromosome analysis): This test also known as the Karotype test, examines the chromosomes in your cell for abnormalities that could interfere with fertility.
5. Testicular Biopsy: This test is rarely required to aid in determining the possible cause of male infertility. For this test, a small sample of tissue is required to be taken from one or both testicles. This procedure is not usually conducted to detect testicular cancer.

While most fertility tests for males like physical examination, semen analysis, blood and urine tests are not painful, testicular biopsy could cause a little discomfort. And since fertility tests can be expensive, it is better to discuss with your partner about how far both of you are willing to investigate your possible causes of infertility before embarking on the investigations.