Men's Fertility Evaluation

Infertility can occur for many reasons, some straightforward and others more complex. Visit board-certified OB/GYN Asia Mohsin, MD, at PWH Fertility Evaluations in Mission, Texas, if you’d like to assess your future fertility or if you’re having problems conceiving. After identifying issues affecting your fertility, Dr. Mohsin offers expert recommendations to address them. Call PWH Fertility Evaluations today to book an appointment or schedule a men’s fertility evaluation online.

What is a men’s fertility evaluation?

A men’s fertility evaluation determines if a problem prevents you from conceiving. Either partner might have fertility issues, so it’s important for women to also undergo a fertility evaluation.

Infertility affects roughly one in six couples. Around 35% of cases are due to female infertility, and another 35% result from male infertility. Of the remaining 30%, some couples might both have fertility issues, or there may be no straightforward explanation. The first step is to identify existing problems so you can receive appropriate treatment.

A men’s fertility evaluation isn’t just for people struggling with infertility. It can also identify problems now so you’re aware of any issues you may face when you want to start a family and ensure you optimize future fertility.

What does a men’s fertility evaluation involve?

A men’s fertility evaluation consists primarily of semen analysis. Lab tests assess your semen sample and identify your sperm count — how many sperm you produce per milliliter of semen. A healthy sperm count is anything over 20 million sperm per milliliter; the lower your sperm count, the harder it’ll be to conceive.

Some men have a low sperm count, and a few have azoospermia, meaning the sample contains no sperm. Other problems include how well sperm move (motility) and sperm shape (morphology). High numbers of abnormal sperm can reduce fertility, but testing more than one sample is important as sperm quality and quantity may be inconsistent.

What problems might my fertility evaluation results identify?

Men’s fertility evaluations can identify the following problems:

Hormone imbalances

Low testosterone can affect sperm production and cause male infertility.

Varicoceles

Varicoceles are varicose veins in your scrotum. They contain surplus blood that can overheat the testicles, causing poor sperm quality and low sperm count.

Blockages

The tubes transporting sperm (vas deferens and epididymis) may have a blockage or structural abnormality that stops sperm from mixing with your semen when you ejaculate.

There may also be environmental and/or lifestyle issues affecting your fertility, such as:

• Exposure to toxins
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Recreational drug use
• Certain medications
• Tight clothing
• Anything that overheats your testicles

Dr. Mohsin can advise you on making changes that will improve sperm health and production. She also offers treatment advice and referrals for issues like varicoceles and blockages.

Call PWH Fertility Evaluations for further information on men’s fertility evaluations, or book an appointment online today.