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When it comes to conception struggles for couples, about 30% of the time, it’s the man’s fertility that’s the issue. In around 20% of cases, both partners may be facing challenges. Male fertility problems often stem from inadequate production of active sperm cells. If you’ve been trying to conceive without success, a sperm analysis can shed light on your sperm quality. We perform these tests in our specialized lab.
Most Common Issue: Disordered Sperm Maturation
Sperm production kicks off during puberty in the testicles, driven by the hormone FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), which helps generate millions of sperm daily. After about ten weeks, sperm cells move to the epididymis to finish maturing. If this maturation process gets disrupted, you may end up with too few sperm or ones that aren’t agile enough to reach the egg in the woman’s fallopian tubes.
Effective sperm transport is key for conception.
During ejaculation, sperm travel from the epididymis through the vas deferens and urethra into the woman’s vagina. They then navigate to the fallopian tube, where the egg awaits. Sometimes, there might be enough active sperm, but they can’t enter the woman’s body due to a blockage in the vas deferens. This accounts for about 4% of male fertility issues. Blockages can be congenital or the result of past sterilization, and conditions like epididymitis may cause similar problems.
What Happens During a Semen Analysis?
If you visit us for fertility issues, a semen analysis is typically one of the first steps. We analyze your sperm sample microscopically within 60 minutes of collection. Key factors we assess include the volume of the ejaculate, sperm count, motility (how well they swim), and morphology (shape). Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Volume: Usually over 1.5 ml
- Concentration: More than 15 million sperm per ml
- Motility: Ideally, over 32% should have good movement.
- Morphology: Normally, more than 4% should be shaped correctly.
- pH Level: Should be above 7.2
- Agglutination: Ideally, no clumping of sperm should occur.
- MAR Test: Should be under 40% for antibodies against sperm.
- Vitality: At least 75% of sperm should be live.
If your analysis doesn’t meet these benchmarks, reduced fertility could be a factor in your struggles to conceive. We typically repeat the analysis a few weeks later. If results consistently suggest reduced fertility, our specialists will provide detailed advice on treatment options.
What Can Lower Sperm Quality?
Disordered sperm maturation can be temporary or permanent and may arise from various factors, including:
- Unhealthy lifestyle choices (smoking, alcohol, obesity)
- Illness, like a fever in the three months leading up to the analysis
- Varicocele (swollen veins in the scrotum)
- Undescended testicles
- Previous surgeries
- Hormonal imbalances
- Genetic issues
- Stress and environmental pollutants
Our doctors will consider all potential causes of any fertility issues you might face and recommend the necessary treatments.
If you’re curious about family growth options, book a consult with our friendly TFP experts. And don’t forget, this is one of our other blog posts on fantastic gifts for makeup enthusiasts.
In summary, understanding sperm quality can be a crucial step for couples facing challenges in conception. By conducting a thorough semen analysis, we can identify potential issues and explore treatment options.