Male Diagnostics
When a couple is attempting to conceive, two factors are at play in achieving a pregnancy, sperm and egg. It is a common misconception that infertility is a woman’s problem. But the reality is according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), nearly 50% of those with a fertility diagnosis have a male factor diagnosis. Approximately 20%–30% are solely male factor and it is a contributing factor in another 20%–30% of couples facing infertility.
According to ASRM, male factor infertility can stem from different issues including:
- Producing too few sperm
- Sperm that are abnormally shaped or move properly
- A blockage in a man’s reproductive tract that keeps sperm from getting out
If you are struggling to conceive, your doctor will perform a complete medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests.
Note to self: This may not have been your ideal plan for expanding your family but many of these issues can be helped with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) {which will be explained later}.
A female factor diagnosis does not rule out the presence of a male factor diagnosis. Prior to beginning treatment make sure to speak with your Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) about male diagnostics to avoid wasting time on treatments that may not be effective due to an undiagnosed male factor.
Male factor infertility can cause feelings of stress, depression, guilt, or anxiety.
What are you doing to support yourself through this process?
Find a friend to confide in
Speak with a therapist
Join a support group
Sperm count ranges to keep in mind:
Average: range from 15 million to greater than 200 million sperm per milliliter
Low: fewer than 15 million sperm per mL
Very Low: fewer than five million sperm per mL
The coming sections will discuss the next phase of diagnostic tests. Keep in mind that your doctor may not prescribe all of these tests and if your doctor does they may not occur in this order.
We hope you find Module Two helpful and useful as you navigate the diagnostics process of your journey. Click “Semen Analysis” to begin the Third Module of this guide.
