A guide to male fertility testing
If you and your partner have been trying to conceive, you’re probably sick of hearing about egg counts, cycles and hormones. But did you know that male fertility is a massive contributing factor to not being able to fall pregnant in most fertility cases?
Testing male fertility is simpler, faster and less invasive, but is often overlooked. Being able to get a clear picture of your or your partner’s sperm health early on will save you time, money and emotional stress.
Let’s take a look at the different male fertility tests that you can take, what they measure and why you should take them as a couple trying to conceive.
1. Semen analysis
The Semen Analysis is the foundational test for male fertility. It’s a simple, non-invasive lab test that evaluates a fresh sample of your semen, typically after 2–5 days of abstinence.
The analysis provides crucial information across three key parameters:
- Sperm count: A lower sperm count means that fewer sperm have a shot at reaching the egg. The test will look at the number of sperm per millilitre of semen.
- Motility: The test will look at the percentage of sperm that are moving and how well they’re swimming. Sperm need to be fast and progressive swimmers to be able to travel through the female reproductive tract to fertilise the egg.
- Morphology: The test will look at the size and the shape of the sperm to make sure they don’t struggle to penetrate the egg.
It is important to remember that sperm count can fluctuate, so fertility experts recommend having the test repeated three months after the initial one if the results are abnormal.
2. Advanced sperm testing
It may be recommended to you that you need to take an advanced male fertility test to check the quality and integrity of the sperm. This is usually needed for men with normal or borderline analysis results who face failed IVF cycles or unexplained fertility.
Sperm DNA Fragmentation (SDF) Test
The SDF test looks at genetic material inside the sperm head. High levels of damaged DNA are often overlooked, but are a significant factor in infertility. High DNA fragmentation is linked to lower fertilisation rates, poor embryo development, and an increased risk of miscarriage.
If this issue is identified, then you or your partner will be able to make certain lifestyle changes, like taking supplements or accessing assisted reproductive techniques like ICSI.
Identifying this issue can lead to targeted treatment, such as lifestyle changes, supplements, or different assisted reproductive techniques like ICSI.
Sperm Oxidative Stress (SOS) Test
The SOS test will measure the balance between free radicals and any antioxidants in the semen. Too much oxidative stress (free radicals) will damage the cells and their DNA. The great thing about this, however, is that this issue can be managed with antioxidant supplements or lifestyle changes.
3. Physical and hormonal checks
If the semen analysis is abnormal, your doctor will likely move on to tests to find the underlying cause. For example:
- Hormone blood tests: The test will measure the levels of key reproductive hormones (testosterone, FSH, LH) to see if there is a hormonal imbalance. This will indicate if there is a problem with sperm production signalling from the brain or testes.
- Scrotal ultrasound: This will be able to detect physical issues like varicocele or blockages in the reproductive tract.
- Genetic testing: this will include blood tests to look for chromosomal issues or small deletions of the Y chromosome. Although these genetic factors are rare, their presence can explain extremely low or absent sperm counts.
Why early male fertility testing matters
It’s common for couples to spend a year focusing only on female fertility before the male partner is tested, but both partners are equally likely to contribute to fertility problems. The initial male fertility test is non-invasive and quick, and will give you a lot of information that is useful for your fertility journey.
Also, by discovering a male fertility issue early on, you’ll be able to get access to the most effective treatment, allowing you to grow your family in less time.
If you’re trying to conceive without success, don’t put off the conversation. Talking to a specialist about male fertility testing is the quickest and most definitive way to move forward. Get in touch with Zita West today for more information on how to start your fertility journey.
