• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

How to Test for Male Infertility

December 10, 2010 by ds_5462 Leave a Comment

For many couples, starting a family is an easy process. They decide the time has come, they stop using birth control protection, and the woman becomes pregnant. For some couples, however, pregnancy does not occur. Determining why you and your partner are having trouble conceiving can be a complicated process that may leave you wondering if your partner has fertility problems. Several medical procedures can be used to determine if your male partner is infertile.

Step 1

Get a physical. According to MayoClinic.com, the first step in checking a man’s fertility should be to obtain a complete medical history, a genital exam and the disclosure of any possible genetic issues or diseases that may have been passed down through your partner’s blood line. Past surgeries and illnesses will also be discussed, as some surgeries and illnesses can impact male fertility.

Step 2

Request a semen analysis. This involves collecting semen in a specimen container, usually at the doctor’s office, and having it sent to a laboratory for evaluation. The evaluation can determine if your partner is producing healthy sperm as well as any abnormalities that can impede fertility. The shape and movement of the sperm will also be examined and included in the lab report that will then be sent to the physician.

Step 3

Have his testosterone checked. If your partner’s sperm count is below 20 million sperm cells for each milliliter of fluid, a secondary test will usually be performed in which your partner’s testosterone levels will be assessed. In addition, the test will measure his FSH levels to determine his overall testosterone levels and health.

Step 4

Request a urinalysis to check for retrograde ejaculation. MayoClinic.com reports that semen found in the urine indicates your partner has retrograde ejaculation, which can interfere with his ability to get you pregnant.

Step 5

Undergo a scrotal ultrasound. This imaging technique can spot obstructions in the area of the scrotum that stores sperm. A transrectal ultrasound may also be ordered and is a procedure in which the ultrasound wand is inserted to the rectum and checks the prostrate for any blockage or deformities.

Step 6

Submit to a sperm function test. This test evaluates how strong his sperm is, whether it is capable of penetrating an egg and how easily it attaches to the egg. It is an important step in evaluating fertility if the other testing does not detect a problem.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Parenting

About ds_5462

Candace Webb has been writing professionally since 1989. She has worked as a full-time journalist as well as contributed to metropolitan newspapers including the "Tennessean." She has also worked on staff as an associate editor at the "Nashville Parent" magazine. Webb holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism with a minor in business from San Jose State University.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

The Little Boy On First Base

To all the coaches, parents, and fans of little … [Read More...] about The Little Boy On First Base

Must Have

winter

Pre-Holiday Must-Haves

"It's beginning to look  a lot like Christmas..." The … [Read More...] about Pre-Holiday Must-Haves

Did you know?

Breast Pains & Pregnancy

Breast Pains & Pregnancy

Can You Get Pregnant Without Menstruating?

Baby Hair Growth

Baby Hair Growth

what type of vitamins help fertility

What Type of Vitamins Help Fertility?

Does Pregnancy Cause Flu-Like Symptoms?

Does Pregnancy Cause Flu-Like Symptoms?

Cravings & the Sex of the Baby

Cravings & the Sex of the Baby

Substitutes for Butter When Baking Cookies

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2021 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.