Some at-home tests also check how well sperm can move. For a home sperm test, you collect a semen sample by ejaculating into a small cup. A home sperm test may be appealing because you can do it in the privacy of your own home. Results are often ready within a few minutes.
Another way to test your sperm count is using a device called SpermCheck male fertility. It is fairly easy to use and to find out one's sperm count in 30 minutes. It looks somewhat like a female pregnancy test wherein you place your sample using a dropper in the testing device.
Tests for Infertility in Men
Because most causes of male infertility are related to sperm, the first test a urological health care provider will perform is a sperm count and analysis. Too low of a sperm count, misshapen sperm, and “lazy” or less-active-than-normal sperm can all lead to fertility issues.
A healthy ejaculate should have 15 million sperm cells or more per milliliter. Sperm motility: This is only noticeable under the microscope. Sperm cells should move actively to reach the egg. It is considered healthy sperm when 40% or more sperms are highly motile.
There is no specific frequency with which a man should ejaculate. There is no solid evidence that failure to ejaculate causes health problems. However, ejaculating frequently can reduce the man's risk of getting prostate cancer. Ejacu-lation can be through having sex or masturbating a few times a day.
Some research suggests that increasing body mass index (BMI) is linked with decreasing sperm count and sperm movement. Eat a healthy diet. Choose plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants — and might help improve sperm health. Prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and using drugs such as marijuana or cocaine. certain medications, including testosterone replacement therapy, long-term anabolic steroid use, cancer medications (chemotherapy), some antibiotics and some antidepressants. being overweight or obese.
Smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking certain medications can lower sperm numbers. Other causes of low sperm numbers include long-term sickness (such as kidney failure), childhood infections (such as mumps), and chromosome or hormone problems (such as low testosterone).
Low sperm count (also called oligospermia or oligozoospermia), is a common cause of male fertility problems and can be challenging for couples trying to conceive naturally. While having a successful pregnancy is still possible, it might take longer or require certain treatments or procedures.
Semen is normally a whitish-gray color. Changes in semen color might be temporary and harmless or a sign of an underlying condition that requires further evaluation. Possible causes, by color, include: Red semen.
Semen can become watery or thinner than usual if someone masturbates or engages in sexual activity multiple times each day. In this case, abstaining from sexual activity for a few days may help treat the issue. Watery semen can sometimes indicate that a person has a low sperm count or reduced semen quality.
There are two types of sperm cells: X sperm and Y sperm. X sperm: X sperm on combining with the X chromosome of the female produces a zygote with XX chromosomes.
Lifestyle. Activities like heavy drug and alcohol use, as well as using tobacco or vaping, may likewise lower sperm count. Anabolic steroids, which are usually taken to increase muscle mass, will almost always shrink testicles and decrease sperm production. Marijuana and opioids also reduce sperm production.
You're generally diagnosed with infertility if you don't get pregnant after 1 year or more of trying, or if you have multiple miscarriages. There are treatments for many kinds of infertility, and many people go on to have a healthy pregnancy and a child. Fertility isn't just a “woman's problem” or an issue with age.
Some at-home tests also check how well sperm can move. For a home sperm test, you collect a semen sample by ejaculating into a small cup. A home sperm test may be appealing because you can do it in the privacy of your own home. Results are often ready within a few minutes.
Clear semen may result in case of frequent ejaculation and may indicate low sperm count. White semen indicates less frequent ejaculations and is a thick and cloudy fluid.
A study of 250 men who had sperm analyzed at a fertility clinic showed that men who ate higher amounts of fruits and veggies, particularly green leafy vegetables and beans (legumes), had higher sperm concentrations and better sperm motility compared to men who ate less of these foods.
You produce sperm every day, but a full sperm regeneration cycle (spermatogenesis) takes about 64 days. Spermatogenesis is the complete cycle of sperm production and maturation.