Fertility Testing for Men
Using advanced technology and a full complement of state-of-the-art services, Fertility Specialists of Houston provides accurate diagnoses for treatment of male reproductive disorders in a timely and caring manner. Please contact us to discuss your situation and determine if any of these tests may be appropriate for you or your partner.
The following tests and services for men are available at our clinic or in conjunction with affiliated specialists:
Semen Analysis
Semen analysis refers to looking at semen under a microscope to identify any signs of abnormality. Our doctors are especially interested in determining sperm count, motility (speed) and shape. This analysis is an essential part of any fertility work-up since problems with male sperm account for about 40% of all infertility experienced by couples.
Men must refrain from ejaculation for 48-96 hours prior to giving a specimen for evaluation. The sample is usually collected by masturbating and ejaculating into a sterile specimen cup, which our clinic will provide at the time the appointment, is made. The specimen may also be collected at home and brought to our offices within one hour of collection. Safe condoms for sperm collection are available through special pharmacies. These do not contain any spermicidal gels and may be useful for sperm collection in some cases.
Analysis of your sperm may include all or a portion os the following:
- Volume (amount of semen)
- pH
- Sperm Count and Motility (speed)
- Strict Kruger Morphology (shape)
- Viability Staining
- Antibody testing
Anti-Sperm Antibody Testing
Anti-sperm Antibody test detects whether there are specific antibodies against a man's sperm in blood, vaginal secretions and semen. The test combines sperm with particles that attach only with antibody-affected sperm.
Semen can trigger an immune response in either the man's or woman's body, and the resulting antibodies can disable or kill sperm. If a high number of sperm antibodies come into contact with a man's sperm, the couple's chance of conceiving may be impaired.
A man can produce sperm antibodies when his sperm are exposed to his immune system (the testicles normally keep sperm isolated from the rest of the body and its immune system). This can happen if the testicles are damaged, surgical procedures (such as biopsy or vasectomy) and infections of the male reproductive system.
A woman can develop an allergic reaction to her partner's semen and, in turn, produce sperm antibodies. This kind of immune reaction is not fully understood but may affect fertility.
Male Andrology
Male Andrology has to do with male infertility caused by:
- Impotence - erectile dysfunction which is said to affect as much as 10 percent of the male population.
- Disturbances in ejaculation - this may include premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, retrograde ejaculation (backwards ejaculation) or anejaculation (the absence of ejaculation)
- Male menopause (andropause) - nearly 40% of men between the ages of 40 and 60 suffer from decrease in sex drive, erections that are less strong, depression, lack of energy and decrease in strength and/or endurance
- Peyronie's Disease - Peyronie's disease is a condition characterized by the development of fibrous plaques or nodules in the substance of the penis. It may result in loss of erection, bending or deformity of the erect organ, pain during erection and vaginal penetration difficulty.
Other Options for Male Factor Infertility
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- In vitro Fertilization (IVF)
- IVF and AIDS
* The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written on this site. No health information on this website should be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor.
