What You Can Learn From a Semen Analysis

Struggling to conceive? Infertility affects men, too, so a semen analysis may help you find out why. Discover what this simple test can tell you about male fertility.

Many couples have a difficult time getting pregnant despite putting in the effort. Many women blame themselves, but infertility affects men, too.

At CARE Fertility in Fort Worth and Bedford, Texas, our fertility specialists work with couples to find the root cause of their conception troubles. For men, we offer male infertility workups that include semen analysis.

If pregnancy isn’t happening for you and your partner, here’s what you can learn from a semen analysis.

About a semen analysis

A semen analysis is a lab test that evaluates the semen and sperm. Semen is the fluid that carries sperm out of the body when a male orgasms. Semen also contains proteins, vitamins, and minerals that nourish sperm.

Sperm are the male reproductive cells that fertilize female eggs for conception. A teaspoon of semen usually contains about 100 million sperm. The tiny, tadpole-shaped cells have to swim through the vagina, uterus, and into the fallopian tubes to reach the egg and to fertilize it. Sperm can live for up to five days in the reproductive organs.

Unhealthy semen or sperm affects male fertility, impeding conception. A semen analysis provides valuable information that can help direct infertility care to improve a couple’s chance of having a baby.

What a semen analysis reveals

A semen analysis reveals the health of semen and sperm.

Lab technicians first evaluate the fluid under a microscope to check sperm health. They look at shape and size, how well it moves, and the amount of sperm in the sample. Sperm with an abnormal size or shape or poor motility have a harder time reaching and fertilizing eggs. A low sperm count also reduces chances of conception.

Technicians also look at semen color. Healthy semen is thick and a whitish-gray color. Semen that’s more yellow or pink may indicate an underlying health issue, such as an infection, that requires a further workup to determine if it’s affecting sperm function.

Additionally, the lab checks semen pH level. Semen that’s too acidic affects sperm health and function.

What we do with test results

Semen analysis is one of many diagnostic tests that we perform during a infertility workup for a couple. We determine your testing needs after reviewing your medical and family health history.

Semen analysis is a standard test, and it helps guide what we can do next. If your results are negative (normal semen and sperm), we may recommend additional testing for you and your partner to gather more information and better understand why you’re not getting pregnant.

We may also recommend lifestyle changes to improve sperm health, such as eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and limiting alcohol intake.

If your results are positive (abnormal sperm or semen), we recommend sex hormone tests to assess levels and imaging tests to evaluate reproductive organs. Hormonal imbalance and structural abnormalities may explain the positive results.

Male infertility treatment depends on the cause. It may include:

Infertility doesn’t mean pregnancy is impossible. But you need to understand the cause. If pregnancy isn’t happening as quickly as it should, it’s time to consult with the experts at CARE Fertility. Call our office today or request an appointment online.