Learn how a semen analysis provides helpful information about a man’s fertility
A semen analysis is the first evaluation that the doctors at our Indianapolis fertility center recommend for a man. The analysis reveals information about a man’s sperm count, sperm motility (movement) and sperm morphology (shape). As infertility relates to the male partner nearly half of the time, this analysis can provide the insights our specialists need to help the patient welcome a baby.
What can you expect during a semen analysis?
When a man first comes to our clinic, a doctor will review his medical history and schedule this analysis. This test involves a few simple steps.
Make an appointment. To ensure that we can analyze the sperm soon after collection, we require a man to make an appointment for this evaluation.
Refrain from ejaculating. We recommend that men abstain from ejaculating for two to five days before their appointment. This gives us a more accurate result from the semen sample.
Produce the sample in a private room at our clinic. When a man arrives at our Indianapolis fertility center to provide his semen sample, he receives a sterile container and access to a private room.
Collect the sample from the comfort of home. If a man prefers to collect his sample at home, we will provide a sterile container for the semen collection. He should then keep his sample at body temperature and bring it to our clinic within an hour of collection.
Comprehensive analysis. After collecting the semen sample, a specialist will analyze its volume, concentration, motility and morphology. In some cases, the doctor may recommend an additional semen analysis to confirm the results.
How we can help if the results are abnormal
Once the doctor receives the results, he or she discusses the findings with the patient. In some cases, the doctor may provide a referral to a urologist. When a semen analysis leads to a clear diagnosis, the doctor might recommend certain fertility treatments. We provide numerous options that can help men with fertility challenges.
Intrauterine insemination, or IUI, involves a doctor placing the male patient’s sperm directly into his female partner’s uterus when she’s ovulating. We may recommend IUI if a man has a mildly low sperm count or low sperm motility.
In vitro fertilization, or IVF, allows an embryologist to use the man’s sperm to fertilize the eggs of his partner or an egg donor. The doctor then transfers one of the resulting embryos to the uterus of the man’s partner or a gestational surrogate. IVF can be beneficial for men with an abnormal sperm count or function.
IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI, involves a doctor injecting a single live sperm into the center of a mature egg. This treatment can be helpful for patients with severe male fertility challenges.
Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration, or MESA, requires a doctor to collect semen from the epididymis. We often recommend this treatment for men who can produce sperm but cannot ejaculate it.
Our Indianapolis fertility center doctors work closely with patients to help them select the treatment plan that provides the best chance of taking home a healthy baby. Contact us to learn more about diagnosing and treating male infertility.