Both male and female’s poor reproductive health can be a reason for infertility. Yes, even in today’s world, many people blame only women for fertility issues and failed conceptions or miscarriages. But, the truth is men’s sperm quality and production can be the reason for delayed pregnancy.
So, doing a sperm function test identifies the current condition of men’s reproductive health and helps the couple get pregnant. Want to know these tests in detail? Then, keep scrolling and learn how important is male’s reproductive health for conception.
What is a Sperm Function Test?
Sperm fertility testing is to evaluate the sperm’s capability. It helps to determine whether sperm can reach and fertilize eggs and give life to new little ones or not.
Checking the condition of the sperm identifies the exact reason for the infertility issues. So that fertility experts can provide you with the right treatment. As a result, you and your wife can achieve the dream of parenting and cherish a happy pregnancy journey.
Types of Sperm Function Tests
Semen Analysis: It measures the amount and quality of a male’s semen and sperm. Fertility experts test the sample based on the thickness, acidity, sugar content, flow resistance, and others.
Sperm Motility Test: Sperm motility is all about analyzing the movement. Normal sperm motility should be more than 40% and if it is lower than this percentage, then only a few sperm can swim forward toward the egg.
Sperm Morphology Test: Morphology means the shape and size of the sperm that is important for successful penetration. Certain shaped sperm can’t penetrate through the outer layer of the eggs.
Sperm Vitality Test: The number of live sperm available in the semen sample is determined in the sperm vitality tests. So, men can know the exact sperm condition.
Preparation for Sperm Function Testing
Pre-Test Guidelines
Avoid sexual activity or ejaculation before 2 to 3 days before the tests. Ensure you follow this timeline properly because exceeding the limit that is longer than 5 days can decrease sperm quality.
Sample Collection Methods
Men need to provide the semen sample through masturbation in a sterile container. Men can collect their semen at home, laboratory, or at the doctor’s office.
If it is collected at your home, then make sure to deliver it to the lab or fertility expert’s clinic within one hour.
Interpreting Sperm Test Results
Normal Results
When all these sperm function test results are normal, you can plan for a baby. But, how can you know that sperm results are normal?
Here it is, Volume is from 1.5 to 5.0 mm per ejaculation.
The count ranges from 20 to 150 million sperm per mm and more percent of sperm will be motile and normal shaped.
Abnormal Results
If your semen quality is low or sperm morphology is abnormal, then you may end up with infertility issues. Abnormal sperm fails to reach a woman’s uterus or even if it reaches it could lead to miscarriages.
Factors Affecting Sperm Function Test Results
From dusk to dawn, every activity you do will have an impact on the overall body condition, including reproductive health. Similarly, some factors can influence sperm function that affects the test results.
It includes,
- Injury in testicles.
- Age of the man, because the sperm quality starts diminishing after 30.
- Previous medications could affect sperm morphology and count.
- Sexually Transmitted Infections surely have an impact on motility, production, and quality of sperm.
- Overweight and underweight can be a barrier for sperm function results.
- Drinking alcohol and chain smoking habits.
- Body-building steroids may shrink the testes and reduce sperm count and quality.
- Poor diet and not including fertility-friendly foods.
Treatments for Negative Sperm Test Results
Lifestyle Changes for Improved Sperm Function
The best way to produce healthy sperm is to maintain a healthy weight and BMI. Manage stress, engage in physical activity, prevent sexually transmitted infections, and eat a healthy diet.
Avoid using lubricants during sex, limit alcohol, and maintain an optimal temperature to limit the scrotum exposure to increased heat.
Medical Interventions
Fertility experts may provide specific medical treatments such as clomiphene citrate. This stimulates the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the brain to generate FSH Follicle-stimulating hormone and LH Luteinizing hormone.
As a result, it increases sperm production and improves the chances of conception.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
The above-mentioned treatments help to improve reproductive health and sperm quality. So, if it works out, you and your partner can become parents naturally or through ARTs.
Assisted Reproductive technologies like ICSI and IVF are the best treatments to improve the chances of conception. Even if your sperm quality cannot be improved, your wife can become pregnant with the help of a healthy donor sperm.
Consult your fertility expert to know the depth of in vitro fertilization and Intracytoplasmic sperm injections.
When to Consider a Sperm Function Test
Men are about to consider a sperm function test if they experience these things, they are:
Signs of Male Infertility
- Problems with sexual functions, such as ejaculation, reduced sexual desire, and erectile dysfunction.
- Pain, lump, or swelling in the testicle area.
- Decreased facial or body hair.
- Unusual breast growth and frequent respiratory issues.
- History of previous medical problems.
Conclusion
Couples who are trying to plan for conception over six months or a year can consider taking reproductive checkups. It gives a clear insight into the health condition and leads the way for a successful pregnancy.
In particular, men usually hesitate to take fertility tests. Hence, don’t be one among the crowd and never contribute to miscarriages. Consult the best fertility expert, know about your reproductive health, and treat the problem immediately.
The results of the sperm function test will be available within a few business days. Both sperm and semen analysis help to check and determine whether a man is fertile or not.
No, the sperm function test is not painful and is quite a straightforward process. A man needs to provide the semen sample in a sterile container, he can either do it at the laboratory or at home.
Testing more than one time gives you more accurate results. And, semen samples will vary for the same person. So, you can provide two samples within 2 to 3 weeks to get accurate test results.
Yes, there is a chance that previous medical conditions and lifestyle changes can affect the sperm test results. Genetic conditions like Klinefelter syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and inflammation of the epididymis, testicles, and STIs can affect sperm test results
Abnormal sperm test results don’t mean that a man is infertile. Men with a few abnormally shaped sperm may end up in a successful pregnancy. But, it becomes an issue when a huge number of sperms are abnormally shaped.
In simple words, men with low semen analysis can still become fathers, but it may take longer than a person with healthy semen.
