Diagnosis for male infertility
When a diagnosis of male infertility is necessary?
A man should be consulted by a specialist after a year of trying to conceive with his female partner or if he faces one of the following problems: erectile dysfunction, problems with ejaculation (late ejaculation or retrograde ejaculation), low libido, pain / inflammation in the genital area, a previous surgery in the genital area.
In the first phase, the doctor will analyze your medical history (hereditary diseases, chronic diseases, illnesses, traumas, injuries, surgeries) and will ask questions about your general health, sexual history (and sexual habits) and factors that could influence fertility (including how puberty evolved in terms of sexual development). He will also perform a physical examination to check the genitals for abnormalities or nodules.
Usually a sperm test is also needed; a sperm sample is analyzed in the laboratory to check the number of sperm and whether they have a normal shape (morphology) and proper mobility. Sperm will also be checked for signs of other health problems such as infections. Other tests that may be recommended are:
Hormonal testing
hormones secreted by the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the testicles play an essential role in sperm production and sexual development. Therefore, abnormalities in hormones or secretory organs can cause infertility. With the help of blood tests, the level of testosterone and other hormones involved in reproduction can be evaluated
Genital ultrasound
with the help of ultrasound images of internal organs can be visualized; a scrotal ultrasound, for example, can help the doctor check for varicocele or other problems in the testicles and adjacent structures.
Transrectal ultrasound
by inserting a thin tube into the rectum, the prostate can be examined and also potential blockages of the prostate and the tubes that carry sperm
Genetic testing
when the sperm count is extremely low a genetic problem may be involved. A blood test can assess if there are changes in the Y chromosome; various congenital syndromes can also be identified in this way
Testicular biopsy
involves taking a sample of testicular tissue using a fine needle and analyzing it under a microscope. If the results show that sperm production is normal, it means that it may be a blockage or other problem with sperm transport.
What is male infertility?
Symptoms for male infertility
Although in the vast majority of cases male infertility does not imply the existence of any signs…
Causes for male infertility
Generally, a man’s infertility is related to problems with the following ..
Treatment for male infertility
The treatment of male infertility in different depending on the cause. When the cause is unknown …