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.
Your semen analysis can be affected by recent illness, anxiety over the exam, and other various factors. Not abstaining from ejaculation for the three to four days before your test can also alter the results.
Genital ureaplasmas and mycoplasmas may colonize male urethra and contaminate the semen during ejaculation.
In order to have an adequate sperm count, do not have any sexual activity that causes ejaculation for 2 to 3 days before the test. However, this time should not be longer than 5 days, after which the quality can diminish.
The sample should be collected after a minimum of 2 days, and a maximum of 7 days, of sexual abstinence. If you choose to collect the specimen at home, it must be collected in a clean specimen container with a secure lid, such as one with a screw-on cap. Do not bring the specimen in a bag, or a condom, etc.
It was found that any factor that affects semen quality can affect male fertility. There are several modifiable factors affecting semen quality including air pollution, use of pesticides and harmful chemicals, exposure to excessive heat, and can lead to decreased male fertility.
This study concluded that with longer abstinence time of 6 or 7 days, the total number of viable sperm increased.
For healthy semen samples collected between 5:00am and 7:30am were found to exhibit a statistically higher sperm concentration, total sperm count and a higher percentage of normally shaped sperm, compared to samples produced later in the day. Sperm motility was not influenced by the time of sample production.
Some research shows that caffeine is associated with a decrease in sperm quality, especially when consumed in excess; other studies demonstrate that moderate caffeine consumption might actually be good for sperm. Caffeine intake may negatively impact a couple's chances of conception.
Causes of male infertility
Abnormal sperm production or function due to undescended testicles, genetic defects, health problems such as diabetes, or infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, mumps or HIV. Enlarged veins in the testes (varicocele) also can affect the quality of sperm.
Margins for Error in Semen Analysis
The way the semen is collected and processed can play a major factor in the results. Time is of the essence; sperm cells start to die after about an hour, and their motility decreases. A too-cool or too-warm sample may also yield a false verdict of sub-standard sperm.
According to researchers, stress may cause the release of steroid hormones such as glucocorticoids, which can decrease testosterone levels as well as sperm production. Oxidative stress is another possibility and has been found to adversely impact semen and sperm quality and fertility.
Oxidative stress produces free radicals which attack the DNA molecule causing breaks in the DNA strands. Sperm DNA damage is often associated with underlying medical conditions (including: varicocele, infection or fever), or certain lifestyle choices (including: drinking, smoking or heat).
Some research has found that men with higher levels of anxiety and stress have lower sperm concentration and counts. Men with the highest anxiety levels were also found to have lower motility, on average, than less stressed men.
Cut down on fatty, fried foods; bulk up on fresh fruit and vegetables; switch to whole grain bread, rice and pasta, avoid processed meat and fish likely to contain increased mercury levels, and start taking a quality vitamin supplement to balance out all your vitamin and mineral needs.
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.
The patient is to empty his bladder of urine prior to semen sample collection. Urine is toxic to sperm and will dilute the specimen. In special circumstances, a post-ejaculate urine specimen may be collected if retrograde ejaculation is suspected.
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).
The answer is yes. Men with no sperm in their ejaculate, who likely have a problem with sperm production can achieve pregnancy. All this is possible thanks to modern assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF and ICSI.
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.
When a man is producing a semen specimen for either analysis or to use for intrauterine insemination, a spouse or partner can help with the collection. However, no lubricants or saliva can be used. A semen collection device may be preferred by some couples. This is a special condom that can be worn by the male partner.