How much do you know about sperm quality analysis?

  1. The number of semen examinations, if the semen analysis is normal, then one test is enough. If the semen analysis is abnormal twice, further male examination is needed.  2. Why are the results of two semen tests very different? First of all, human semen parameters, like blood pressure tests, have certain physiological fluctuations. Secondly, many pathological factors such as fever, illness, alcoholism, overexertion and mental stress can also affect the semen analysis results.  There is also the question of whether the semen test was done according to the standard procedure, which involves whether the semen collection process is the same, whether the duration of abstinence is similar, whether the delivery time is too long and whether the ejaculation is sufficient, and whether the lab technician’s operation is standardized. The physician will decide whether a review is needed according to the specific situation, and if the results are different but still within the normal range, there is no need for a review.  3. Correctly understand the meaning of “normal semen” Normal semen only means that the sperm parameters exceed the lower limit of the reference value, but it does not guarantee fertility. Men with semen parameters below the lower limit of this reference value are not necessarily infertile. Routine semen testing is only about 80% predictive of a woman’s ability to conceive, and unexplained infertility still accounts for a large percentage of clinical cases. There is still a lack of objective sperm test methods that can accurately predict pregnancy.  4. Treatment of abnormal semen examination If you have problems with your semen examination, such as sperm concentration, motility and morphology below the reference value. You need to visit a male outpatient clinic, where your physician will examine and treat your condition. You need to conduct a self-screening of your lifestyle and work environment to rule out factors such as exposure to high temperatures or environmental harmful toxins that affect you.  5.How to look at sperm malformation rate Many patients come to the male clinic anxiously with their sperm malformation rate reports from our hospital or outside hospitals because they have a sperm malformation rate of 97% or even 100%. They are mainly worried about several questions: Why is my sperm malformation rate so high? Is it possible that I will never be able to have children again? Is it that my child will be deformed? These are all misconceptions.  As the sperm morphology rate test is not objective, the results have a large error within and between laboratories; secondly, the WHO regards a sperm malformation rate of 96% or less as the normal range, even if it is 100% malformed, it only means that you are 4 percentage points higher than normal, which is only a statistical concept, as long as the sperm count and vitality are normal, you still have a good chance of conceiving.  The so-called “malformation rate” is an indicator we use when evaluating the ability of sperm to conceive, and an increase in sperm malformation increases the difficulty of conceiving naturally. It does not mean that the genetic material of the sperm is faulty because of bad sperm morphology. There is also no necessary connection between sperm malformation and the birth of malformed offspring.  6, semen examination precautions should usually be 2-7 days without sex or semen emission before sperm retrieval. If you cannot masturbate for sperm collection, you can use a special condom for collection, not the latex condom usually used. It is especially important to always confide in the sperm retriever prior to collection and to collect the entire ejaculated semen. The specimen must be collected and sent for examination in a timely manner, no later than within one hour, as sperm viability decreases with time.