Despite the fact that many people still are inclined to see infertility as the woman’s fault, approximately one third of infertile couples battle to have a baby because of the ‘male factor’, and in a small percentage of couples both the man and the woman have infertility issues. While your lady will have to go through some testing to discover precisely where the problem lies, you will need to have a male infertility test to see what part you have to play. Actually this ‘test’ consists of a number of tests and the structure of your personal male infertility test will be determined by the precise details of your infertility.

You will have to update your doctor on your full medical history: any medication, any STDs, any operations, any childhood diseases. You doctor needs to be fully clued-up to make an accurate diagnosis so try to remember all the details. Many lifestyle factors may impact your fertility, including alcohol, caffeine, smoking, recreational drugs. The doctor will also need an account of your full sexual history: when you reached puberty, your first sexual encounters, any STDs, the number of sexual partners, any high risk sexual behaviors – all of these are significant. As uncomfortable as that may sound, look at it this way – if you had a few STDs long ago and you choose not to tell the doctor about them now he (or she) will find out about them the hard way – through examinations and tests – so why not just be direct about it to start off with? You’ll save yourself the money and the embarrassment. Besides, those doctors truly have seen it all, and they are there to help.

Noticeable irregularities such as variococeles (abnormally large veins on the scrotum) or undescended testes can be discovered through a complete physical examination. The physical exam may also assist the doctor to diagnose any hormonal abnormalities.

The most essential male infertility test is the semen analysis. Reliable results can only be gained through repeating the test three times. You will need to do the deed in a container – either at home or at the doctor’s rooms as long as you can deliver the sample to the lab quickly. You might be advised not to ejaculate for a couple of days before to get a more precise sperm count.

Various characteristics will be checked:

· How much? – They check the entire amount of semen produced – typically a teaspoon is sufficient.

· Sperm movement – The sperm cells should be swimming vigorously. It doesn’t matter what stroke they swim – as long as they are moving well!

· Sperm count – Are there sufficient numbers of spermies in the semen? The testers will set aside a small amount of the semen and check how many sperm there are and then estimate the number for the full amount of semen. About 40 million sperm cells for every ejaculation is usual.

· Sperm maturity and shape – If the sperm aren’t fully grown or if they are deformed they won’t be able to move well and may not be able burrow through the outer layer of the egg.

· pH levels – Slightly acidic semen is most helpful to sperm.

· Semen – The consistency and color of the semen will be examined. If the semen is too viscous, the sperm will run out of energy.

Further testing (if required) may include:

· Blood testing to check the various hormone levels and establish your general health.

· Testicle tissue test – to look for healthy sperm manufacturing cells.

· Scans to find obstructed ducts or enlarged veins.

· Sperm cells could be tested by putting them in a dish with a dead human egg or a hamster egg. Clearly none of these trials could yield a living embryo.

· Sometimes men’s or women’s bodies manufacture anti-sperm antibodies so this possibility must be ruled out.

· Abnormalities with sperm production can be identified through genetic testing.

· A post-coital test. Strictly speaking this is a joint test because both the man and the woman are tested. This test verifies how many sperm actually make it to the cervical opening by taking samples from the cervix within a day after intercourse, usually close to the time of ovulation.

Don’t let arrogance get in the way of a male infertility test. You might save yourself and your partner a great deal of discomfort and pain!

Here is more information on Signs of Infertility. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Infertility.