Sometimes, it's not enough to have met the right person and feel ready to have a baby. The path to conception isn't equal for everyone, and it's all too often fraught with pitfalls. Among them, male infertility, a topic we've finally begun to talk about in recent years.
A November 2022 meta-analysis by American and Israeli researchers is particularly alarming: modern lifestyles and environmental changes have led to a sharp decline in sperm counts worldwide.
What are the different methods for diagnosing male infertility? What are the potential causes? What are the various options available for a man to improve his fertility rate? Gentlemen, this article is for you; we'll help you sort things out!
The difference between sterility and infertility in men
First of all, it is important to understand the difference between infertility and sterility.
Male infertility refers to the inability to conceive a child despite months of regular, unprotected trying.
Important to know: Male infertility can contribute to approximately 20% of cases of overall infertility , and up to 30% to 40% in cases of mixed factor where both members of the couple have an infertility problem.
Male infertility, on the other hand, is defined as the complete inability to procreate. It is therefore possible to be infertile without being sterile, as some infertility problems can be successfully treated.
How long does it take to become infertile?
According to medical experts, it's advisable to consult a fertility specialist to assess your situation if you've been trying to conceive for more than a year without success, or even six months if you're 35 or older. These time frames are based on the statistical probability of conception among fertile couples.
Gentlemen, how do you check if you are infertile or sterile?
The main method for determining whether a man is experiencing infertility is to perform a semen analysis, a clinical test that assesses the quality and quantity of sperm. This test analyzes several parameters, including sperm morphology, motility, and concentration. It can also reveal potential abnormalities in the male genitals that could affect fertility.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a normal spermogram should have the following characteristics:
- A sperm concentration of at least 15 million per milliliter of ejaculate.
- At least 40% of sperm must have progressive motility.
- At least 4% of sperm must have normal morphology.
Perform a spermogram
Before performing the spermogram, it is recommended to carry out a period of sexual abstinence of approximately 2 to 5 days in order to obtain a representative sperm sample.
The sample is usually collected by masturbation in a sterile container provided by the laboratory, taking care to avoid contamination with external substances. Once the sample is collected, a macroscopic analysis is performed to assess characteristics such as semen quantity, viscosity, and color.
Subsequently, a microscopic analysis is performed to assess sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and vitality. These parameters provide essential information on sperm quality and its ability to fertilize an egg.
It is also possible to perform a spermogram at home using the "SpermCheck" self-test device, which allows you to perform a male fertility test at home by measuring the number of sperm present in the semen sample.
However, this device does not provide detailed analysis of sperm motility and morphology.
Can sterility and/or infertility be detected in men without medical testing?
It is not possible to accurately diagnose sterility or infertility in men without medical tests. Visible symptoms, such as erection or ejaculation problems, are not always indicative of fertility problems. Only a semen analysis and other specialized medical tests can provide accurate information about your fertility.
Male fertility assessment includes several tests to determine the causes of infertility and decide on the appropriate treatment.
In addition to a semen analysis to assess sperm quality, basic tests include a physical examination to rule out testicular or ejaculatory problems. If abnormalities are detected, a hormone test may be ordered to check male sex hormone levels.
Additional tests may also be ordered, such as sperm DNA analysis, sperm culture, karyotype analysis, hyposmotic analysis and FISH test to assess normal chromosomal endowment.
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