One out of every 10 couples may find they are infertile when they attempt to conceive a child, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Infertility can occur if a problem happens during any part of the conception process, from a woman not being able to release an egg to a man having a low sperm count or deformed sperm. About half of the cases of infertility are due to the womanl the other half are due to the man. An examination by a doctor can determine if a man is infertile.
Step 1
Schedule an appointment with the urologist for a physical examination. The urologist should examine the man’s scrotum, looking for any abnormalities. He will look for enlarged veins in the scrotum, or varicoceles, which can lead to infertility, as well as examine the testes to see if they are too small or undescended, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. During the exam, the urologist will also look for any infections or sexually transmitted diseases that could impact an man’s fertility.
Step 2
Take a semen sample. The man should ejaculate into a cup that his doctor will send to a laboratory for examination. The lab will measure the sperm count and look at the shape and movement of the sperm. To get the best analysis of his sperm, he should provide several samples over a period of months. If he does have a low sperm count or sperm that move too slowly, he mostly likely cannot have babies without assistance.
Step 3
Have the man pee in a cup after ejaculating. Some men suffer from a condition known as retrograde ejaculation, which causes sperm to travel to the urethra instead of out of the body after a man ejaculates, according to the Mayo Clinic. The presence of sperm in urine is an indication of retrograde ejaculation. The urine sample can also determine if a man has an infection that affects his fertility.
Step 4
Have the man provide a blood sample. The doctor can test the blood to determine the man’s testosterone levels. Low levels of testosterone and other hormones can negatively impact a man’s sperm count. As with the urine test, a blood test can also determine if he has any infections.
Step 5
Discuss the man’s diagnosis with the doctor. Both partners should be present during the discussion. The doctor may tell you if the man is infertile and if there is anything to be done about it, such as surgery, hormone supplements or medications to clear up an infection.
Here is some more information on How to Tell If a Man Can’t Have Babies:
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