Why would I need Semen Analysis Test?
To put it simply, a semen analysis test, also known as the sperm, count test is a lab test where the doctors examine a sample of semen under a microscope. It helps to analyse the health and the viability of a man’s sperm which directly correlates to fertility. It shows how many sperm are released, how they’re shaped and how well they move.
If you and your partner are having trouble getting pregnant, it is likely that one of the first tests that the infertility doctor will recommend is semen analysis. While often the problem can be with both the man and the woman, male infertility can play a huge role in many cases and in most of the instances, the problem is with sperm production.
Semen Analysis Test Preparation
The first step during a semen analysis test is providing a semen sample. For this, the doctor will give you clear instructions, some of which may include the following:
- Do not ejaculate for at least 24 to 72 hours before the test. This means that you should not have sexual intercourse for two to three days prior to the test. It is recommended that a semen sample should be taken not less than two days and not more than seven days after sexual intercourse or ejaculation
- Do not consume caffeine, drugs, alcohol and avoid smoking at least two to five days before the test
- You might be asked to stop certain medication before the test, including hormone medication. Your doctor may adjust your dosage, suggest an alternative, or may ask you to continue with the medication during the test. Discuss your medications with the doctor and do not stop taking your prescription medication without the doctor’s consultation
- Inform your doctor if you take vitamins, any other supplements or over-the-counter medication
- If you have been sick or had high fever, you must inform your doctor about the same
- If you have been exposed to high heat environments at work or regularly use a hot tub or a car seat warmer, you may want to avoid these environments two to three months before the test.
What Happens in Semen Analysis Test
During a semen analysis test, the doctor will ask you to ejaculate in a sterile collection cup so as to obtain a clean sample. The semen needs to be examined quickly before they die and hence, the collection takes place in a private room in a laboratory. You may be asked to wash your hands so that bacteria from your skin do not contaminate the sample.
To get accurate results, make sure that you:
- Don’t use lubricants or saliva during the test as they can harm the sperm
- Collect all the semen you produce and try to not miss even a bit of it
- Are not ill during the test
You may be asked to provide two or more samples within the span of a few weeks as sperm count varies daily
Semen Analysis Report
A semen analysis report is difficult to understand for the layman. While the doctor will explain the report to you, it is important to understand the basics. Also, different labs and clinics will have different values assigned to what they determine as normal or abnormal. Therefore, never compare the results of two reports and always ask the doctors to explain it to you. Also, keep in mind that semen parameters in a semen analysis report are based on WHO guidelines to understand the cause of infertility. It does not mean that you can or cannot become a parent. Here are some factors that will be outlined in your semen analysis report:
| TERM | WHAT DOES IT MEAN? | WHAT IS A NORMAL SCORE? | WHAT CAUSES AN ABNORMAL SCORE? |
|---|
| Semen Ejaculate Volume | Maria AndeAmount of sperm ejaculatedrs | 2 to 2.4 millilitres of fluid | Stress and multiple other factors |
| Total Sperm Count | Total number of sperm in the semen | At least 20 million per millilitre (m/mL) sperm per ejaculate | Factors such as chronic illness, exposure to toxic substances, obesity, smoking, alcohol intake, hormonal imbalances, ejaculation problems, infection, etc |
| Sperm Concentration | Number of sperm found in one millimetre of semen | 15 million to greater than 200 million sperm per millilitre of semen | May be correlated to a low sperm count |
| Total & Progressive Motility | Percentage of sperm that moves | At least 40-50% of the sperm should be moving, and movement quality should be a 2 or higher on a scale of 0 to 4 | Unhealthy lifestyle, smoking, medication, etc |
| Vitality or Viability | Number of live sperm in the semen sample | At least 50 percent of sperm need to be viable | Causes of low sperm count directly correlate with low sperm viability. At times, using lubricants or condoms can kill the sperm too |
| Sperm Morphology | Shape of the sperm | At least 4 percent of sperm cells should be shaped normally. | Poor sperm morphology may be caused by the same things that can cause low sperm counts |
| Liquefaction | The semen liquifies to help the sperm to swim better which is referred to as liquefaction | Semen should liquefy within 20 minutes of ejaculation. | May indicate a problem with the prostate, the seminal vesicles, or the bulbourethral glands |
| Semen pH | Acidic and alkaline nature of the semen | The semen should have a pH somewhere in the range of 7.2 to 7.8. | A low pH value is accompanied by other abnormal measurements and factors including low volume of semen and low sperm counts |
| White Blood Cells (WBC) | All semen has WBC, which are cells that fight infection in our bodies | WBC count must be less than 1,000,000 per millilitre of semen | A high WBC has many causes which need further testing to corroborate |
Conclusion
Semen analysis is a crucial test that needs to be done if you are about to undergo fertility treatment. It helps with evaluating male infertility and advise on the next steps based on the results of the test. A semen analysis report provides details on sperm motility, morphology and sperm count and one must discuss the report with their fertility doctor to understand it better.
