This is your first step to any infertility analysis. I am amazed to hear many stories about men refusing to undergo these tests. This is by far the cheapest and easiest test to do. It is just a process of elimination. Eliminate this possibility so you can move on to the next.
Sperm Analysis should be done twice, two weeks apart so we can get an accurate or average picture.
Some tips for getting good sample results:
The laboratory will ask you first if you have stored up semen by refraining from ejaculating in the last 3 to 4 days. Any more or less than that is unacceptable. So store up semen before going to the lab so you will not waste time going back again.
Find a private place to masturbate for the sample.
Bring some visual cues or sex stories to heighten your mood for ejaculation. Your body knows mechanical handling and will cause you to ejaculate less than when you are having real sex.
Do not ask your woman to give you oral sex for the sample. Mixing the semen sample with saliva might not be good for some labs.
To get a good sized sample, some go to the lengths of making love to the point of ejaculating, then pulling out in time to ejaculate into the collection cup.
You must have a watch or clock ready to mark the sample time to the last minute.
You then have to rush to the lab to give your semen sample. The technician will write down the time you gave the sample.
It is best to hand over the sample within 30 minutes of ejaculation.
Analyzing results:
The average man has 50 to 150 million sperm per ml.
Then there are pus cells which might indicate infections.
Then there is sperm motility; movement, looking alive and energetic.
Also sperm morphology; not all sperm are alike. Some are blockers, some are egg getters, some are fighters. See the sperm wars book.
Some probable causes of male infertility:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Excessive exercise.
Stress.
Obesity.
Use of drugs (legal or illegal), alcohol, or tobacco.
Exposure to toxins and environmental hazards. Pesticides, lead, radiation, radioactive substances, mercury, and heavy metals may affect fertility.
Heat: Tight briefs. Hot baths. Hot working environments.
