Andrology Expert Male Fertility Care at Laimaa Healthcare

What is Andrology?

Andrology pertains to the study and assessment of male reproductive health, particularly focusing on sperm health and function. Individuals or couples may seek a sperm analysis for various reasons, especially when experiencing difficulties conceiving. Studies suggest that a male factor may contribute to infertility in 40 to 50 percent of cases among couples facing conception challenges.

Issues with sperm quality can arise, affecting up to 2 percent of men, manifesting as:

Low sperm count (oligozoospermia) in a semen sample
Reduced sperm motility, impacting movement
Abnormal sperm morphology, concerning size and shape

Additionally, individuals may undergo a sperm analysis to confirm the success of a vasectomy, a surgical procedure for permanent male sterilization. Following a vasectomy, regular sperm analyses are typically recommended for several months to ensure the absence of sperm in the semen.

Semen analysis plays a vital role in assessing ejaculated sperm health. It serves both in evaluating male fertility and monitoring treatment effectiveness for male subfertility. Beyond assessing sperm parameters, clinical semen analysis can gauge sperm’s actual fertilization capacity in vitro. This procedure constitutes a fundamental aspect of male fertility evaluation, with its results aiding in diagnosing male factor infertility.

Why it's Done?

A complete semen analysis evaluates ejaculate volume, sperm count, concentration, motility, and morphology, following World Health Organization (WHO) standards. While both genders can face fertility challenges, male infertility contributes to about half of all infertility cases. Since low sperm production is a common cause of male infertility, a semen analysis is typically among the initial diagnostic tests recommended by doctors.

How to Prepare:

Before producing a semen sample, it’s advised to abstain from intercourse and masturbation for 3-5 days. Your fertility specialist might suggest lifestyle adjustments such as avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and certain medications leading up to sample production. It’s crucial to wash your hands thoroughly before collection and use a sterile specimen pot provided by the fertility center, clearly labeled with your details and the date and time of ejaculation. If opting to produce the sample at home, ensure it remains warm and deliver it to the center within one hour of ejaculation. Do not use a condom for transportation, as it contains spermicide.

Why Semen Analysis is Done:

The analysis measures various parameters including volume, motility, forward progression, morphology, clumping, and presence of white or red blood cells. Results within specific ranges indicate normal semen quality, while deviations may signal potential fertility issues.