Male Infertility Tests – 3 Ways to Know If You’re Infertile

Infertility is a worldwide issue between couples from all places and races. It’s hard to believe that many years ago, infertility issues only concerns women. When a couple could not bear children, it is the female who automatically takes the blame. Perhaps maybe because there were no male infertility tests back then. And because of that, never was a male scorned for being unable to give his partner children.

However, research done in recent years regarding infertility reveal that even men can become infertile and they are equally to be blamed as women. Today, infertility is known to affect both men and women alike. For that reason, the search for causes of infertility between couples usually begins with the male because the examination and testing of infertility in males is less complicated.

What should be done first during male infertility tests is a thorough examination and a review of your medical and surgical history. It is necessary to determine the kinds of illnesses you have had since your childhood years. There are certain chronic illnesses or conditions that can affect the fertility in male such as pelvic injury, childhood illness, abdominal or reproductive organ surgery, recreational use of prohibited drugs, and the intake of certain medications.

When you go to your doctor for male infertility tests, the first thing he’d liked you to undergo is a physical examination of your external reproductive organ. This is one of the most important male infertility tests done to detect testicular irregularities such as the presence of a varicocel; the absence of vas deference or known as the sperm duct that carries sperms from the testes to the urethra during ejaculation; and the growth of tumors. Other conditions that can be detected in a physical exam are the evidence of hormonal disorders manifested through underdeveloped reproductive organs or enlargements of breast tissue; and an indication of testosterone deficiency.

When you undergo male infertility tests and assessment you will be normally asked about some of the following:

• Early or late puberty that is typically the result of a hormonal disorder.
• History of any Sexually Transmitted disease (STD)
• The use of lubricants because it may kill sperm.
• Timing of your sexual intercourse (this involves an understanding of the ovulation cycle of your partner)

Male infertility tests are important to determine if you are capable of producing an offspring with your partner or not. There are three common male infertility tests that your doctor might recommend. These are:

1. Testicle biopsy – This is one of the male infertility tests that is done by taking a small sample of tissue from one or both of your testicles to be examined under a microscope and assess whether you are capable of fathering children, therefore it determines the cause of your infertility. A testicle biopsy is done when your semen does not have sperm or when hormone results are in normal level.

2. Vasograms – Another of the male infertility tests is called the vasogram. This is recommended when your doctor suspects that there is a blockage in your reproductive duct. A small incision will be made in your scrotum so that a dye can be injected into your vas deferens and x-rays will be taken. This male infertility test is done to indicate the location of the blockage. A blockage can be treated through surgery.

3. Sperm count – You will also be asked to provide a sample of your semen as one of the male infertility tests to be able to conduct a sperm count. A normal sperm count issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) is 20 million sperms per millimeter of semen. Any count that is below 10 million should be a cause for concern. However, there are treatments available to increase sperm count in males.

Going through male infertility tests is a long and tedious process, but all of that will be worth it once you determine your fertility status and find a treatment should you need one as soon possible for you and your partner to finally be able to conceive your first child.

Male Infertility Tests – 3 Ways to Know If You’re Infertile by Alice Jane Johnson