Semen analysis test, made easy to understand

Semen analysis When to do it? What does it look for? How to collect?

Semen analysis test

Are you wondering if you are able to make a woman pregnant? Are you planning to marry? Do have a problem in your male look? Semen analysis will answer all these questions that bother your mind. The test can tell you if you are fertile or not , it will let you know about infections in your genital system. Semen test acts like a mirror reflecting the status of your testes.

Semen is that magic fluid, you ejaculate at the end of sexual intercourse , or masturbation , and sometime while sleeping. It contain the sperm swimming in a fluid rich in nutrients required to nourish the sperm. Looking at your semen , is helpful sometimes, but will not give you valuable information , that only can be obtained by testing the seminal fluid.

When do men ask for semen analysis?

Men usually undergo for semen testing in following cases:
– To test for your fertility, you are married since more than one year without making a baby.
– Causes of illness, you have pain or symptoms of infection , as burning micturition , discharge , or pain in the genitals.
– You are anxious: You are worried about your fertility.
– you had surgery, (vasectomy) , then test for its success.

What does the test look for?

Semen analysis test will let you know many points , the most important of which are the following:
1- The volume of the seminal fluid: It is contributed by the accessory glands, so it reflects
the secretory activity of the genital glands.
2- The sperm Characters: number of sperm, called sperm count. the total number of spermatozoa reflects sperm production by the testes
and the patency of the duct system. Also, the shape of the sperm, called morphology, and movement of the sperm, known as “sperm motility”

Normal sperm count ranges from 15 million to 200 million sperm per milliliter of semen, (15-300 million/ml). If you have less than 15 million sperm per milliliter, then your sperm count is low.

The sperm test report has a lot of information , but you need to focus on the most import 2 points mentioned above; the total seminal volume and the sperm characters.

Semen analysis procedure

It’s important to collect the sample the right way. This will help Helal Medical to deliver your test results correctly.

Before You Collect a Sample

You have to follow the following instructions before collecting the sample:
– Avoid any sexual activity for 2-5 days before collecting the sample. It should be not more than 7 to 10 days from you last sex.
– Use a clean container to collect the semn. Get the container from our laboratory.
– You do not need to make an appointment to submit the sample. But the sample must be delivered 60 minutes after collection (if done at home)

How to collect the sample?

You have to collect a sample of your semen in a sterile container , by one of the following means:
1- Masturbation, then collect the sample in a container. Do masturbation inside the laboratory , which is better than doin at at home, to avoid delay delivering the sample.
2- using condom to collect the semen after sex
3- Doing sex with withdrawal before ejaculation

Collection:
– Clean the head of your penis with wet, towelettes or cotton balls.
– Dry well before you collect the sample.

How to assess male fertility?

1- General physical examination and medical history done the doctor
Your doctor will examine your genitals and ask questions about any chronic health problems, illnesses, injuries or surgeries that could affect fertility.
2- Semen analysis: to know about your seminal fluid total volume and sperm count and characters.
3- Other tests may be required:
– Scrotal ultrasound.
– a blood test to determine the level of hormones produced by the pituitary gland and testicles.
– Post-ejaculation urinalysis.
– Genetic tests.
– Testicular biopsy.
– Anti-sperm antibody tests.
– Transrectal ultrasound.

Sources for further reading:
– https://www.healthline.com/health/semen-analysis
– Low sperm count: mayoclinic.com/health/low-sperm-count/DS01049/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis
– Vasectomy: mayoclinic.com/health/vasectomy/MY00483
– the examination and processing of human semen: whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2010/9789241547789_eng.pdf
– https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-sperm-count/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374591