Male Fertility
Male fertility is equally as important as female fertility when considering your chances of conceiving. Male factors are involved in around half of all infertility cases, with the most common male fertility factors being related to the production of sperm, damage to the testicles due to injury or illness, ejaculation disorders and lifestyle. When a couple is experiencing infertility, the first step will involve a series of tests or investigations on both partners to tailor a treatment plan to suit.
Fertility testing for men is usually centred around the semen analysis but can include a physical exam and hormone blood tests. A comprehensive male fertility screening is the best way to understand male fertility and it can be arranged through a GP. If your results indicate there may be an issue, then you may be referred to a Fertility Specialist. Adora Fertility can offer specialist-led care to interpret your results and discuss treatment options with you when you are ready.
How Male Fertility Is Tested
A comprehensive male fertility screening or fertility assessment is the first step towards understanding your fertility health. This includes a semen analysis, infection screening blood tests and, where needed, a physical exam. The semen analysis measures several important factors linked to male fertility and sperm health, including sperm count, motility (how well sperm move), morphology (shape and structure), semen volume and pH levels.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a normal sperm count is considered at least 15 million sperm per millilitre of semen. However, sperm count alone does not determine fertility. Factors such as sperm motility and structure can also influence the chances of conception.
To help make sure the results of your semen analysis are as accurate as possible, the sample is usually collected after 2 to 7 days of abstinence. The sample will need to be delivered to the laboratory in a timely manner. Depending on the results, further testing may be required, which may include hormone blood tests, ultrasound imaging or sperm DNA fragmentation testing.
Common Causes of Male Infertility
Male infertility causes vary. The cause of infertility could be related to a blockage or gland deficiency or linked to sperm production or sperm quality. This can include a low sperm count, reduced motility and blockages that affect how sperm travels. Other common causes relate to hormone imbalances, genetic conditions and lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, being overweight or underweight, steroid use and heat exposure.
Most men do not have obvious symptoms, so it is possible to have low-quality sperm without knowing. This is why testing is such an important part of understanding fertility as a whole. You can read more in our guide, Male Fertility Explained, where Adora Fertility specialist Dr Mahalakshmi Ragunath shares more about common male fertility concerns and treatment pathways.
Treatment Options for Male Infertility
Treatment options depend on a number of factors, including the results of your fertility assessment, your medical history and your family planning goals. The fertility health of your partner will also be considered and may influence your treatment pathway if trying to conceive. There are a number of different treatment pathways that might be recommended to improve your chances of conception. These could involve cycle tracking, intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
If the sperm count or motility is reduced, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment may be recommended as part of your fertility treatment. During ICSI, a single healthy sperm is carefully selected and injected directly into the egg to help fertilisation. At Adora Fertility, ICSI is bulk billed for Medicare-eligible patients.
For severe male factor infertility or azoospermia (no sperm in the semen), surgical sperm retrieval procedures such as testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) may help as the procedure collects sperm directly from the testes.
In cases where a sperm donor may be required in order to conceive, we offer both a known donor and a de-identified donor program.
In our laboratories, we routinely use the ZyMot sperm preparation device during treatment to help select the best quality motile sperm for fertilisation. The Zymot is particularly useful for men with known high levels of sperm DNA fragmentation, as this process results in minimal damage to sperm DNA.
FAQs
Take the First Step
If you are worried about your fertility, or you and your partner have been trying to conceive without success, a semen analysis can provide more insight as part of your fertility health check. If you are aged over 35, you are encouraged to seek fertility advice if you have been trying to conceive for 6 months or more without success. If under 35, you are encouraged to seek assistance if you have been trying to conceive for 12 months or more without success.
At Adora Fertility, our specialists, GPs, nurses, embryologists and patient support staff are here to guide you through the next steps with detailed information and personalised care. Speak to one of our fertility advisors to book your initial consultation.