Testing

Office Visit

In order to diagnose and treat male infertility, a patient starts with a consultation.

The visit includes the following:

Review of your health and surgical history
Discussion about any current health problems
Review of medications
Discussion about use of alcohol, tobacco and other recreational drugs and exposure to environmental factors
Review of how your body works during sex
Review of you and your partner’s efforts to get pregnant
Physical exam of penis, epididymis, vas deferens and testicles

Types of Testing

Following the initial assessment, additional diagnostic testing maybe needed, which could include:

Seminal Fluid Collection & Analysis

To assess male fertility, an analysis of seminal fluid is helpful to assess the number of sperm present and identify abnormalities in the sperm’s shape or movement.

OSF HealthCare uses the perforated seminal collection device to collect seminal fluid during a marital act as a way to respect a person’s religious, moral and aesthetic beliefs while also obtaining reliable results.

The seminal fluid is then emptied from the collection device and put into a plastic container that is provided. The fluid should be kept warm and transported to the hospital or laboratory within 30 to 45 minutes after collection.

Scrotal Ultrasound

This test uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images inside your body.

A scrotal ultrasound can help your doctor see if there is a varicocele or other complications in the testicles and supporting structures.

Testicular Biopsy

This test removes sperm samples from the testicle with a needle.

If the results of the biopsy show sperm production is normal, then infertility is likely caused by a blockage or another problem with sperm transport.

Hormone Testing

This is a blood test that measures the level of testosterone and other hormones. These hormones play a key role in sperm production.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms of male infertility?

Symptoms include the inability to ejaculate, blood in semen, and pain, swelling, lump or mass in the genital area.

What causes male infertility?

Causes of male infertility include sperm blockage, inadequate sperm flow, varicocele, hormonal problems, infection, medication side effects and genetics.

Male infertility may also be caused by smoking cigarettes and/or marijuana, drinking alcohol in excess or having a partner that uses lubricant.

Are there ways to improve my fertility?

Yes. This includes...

Eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables
Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly
Taking vitamins
Wearing boxers instead of briefs
Avoiding cigarettes and alcohol
Avoiding environmental toxins

What is a normal sperm count?

According to Mayo Clinic, "normal sperm densities range from 15 million to greater than 200 million sperm per milliliter of semen. You are considered low if you have fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter or less than 39 million sperm total per ejaculate."

When should I be concerned about being infertile?

When a woman has difficulty achieving pregnancy, an evaluation for that problem must involve not only her but also her husband.

When the seminal fluid parameters are abnormal, the Creighton Model FertilityCare System can help identify the time of fertility with accuracy to assist couples to achieve pregnancy.

Does the success rate of vasectomy reversal lower over time?

Yes. Surgical techniques used today in vasectomy reversal offer high success rates however, it may depend on how recent the vasectomy was performed.

It’s important to make sure your surgeon has been medically trained in vasectomy reversal and performs the surgery on a regular basis.

Do anti-sperm antibodies develop after a vasectomy that would decrease future fertility?

Generally sperm are produced in an area of the body protected from the immune system. During a scrotal procedure like a vasectomy, some men can develop anti-sperm antibodies from exposure to the body’s immune system.

But only about 5 percent of men with successful vasectomy reversals who have developed anti-sperm antibodies experience fertility issues like sperm clumping.

Sperm clumping can affect the ability of the sperm to swim to the egg to fertilize it. For those men affected by anti-sperm antibodies, there are potential treatments.

Does sperm production stop after a vasectomy reversal?

No, sperm continue to be produced and are reabsorbed by the body.

Should a couple wait a certain amount of time to conceive after a vasectomy reversal?

No, a couple can begin trying to conceive right away.

A common misconception right after vasectomy reversal is that the sperm are old and could cause birth defects. However, new sperm are constantly being created and reabsorbed by the body even after a vasectomy.

There is no evidence to indicate pregnancy directly after a vasectomy reversal increases the risk of miscarriage or birth defects in children.

Are some vasectomies not reversible because of how they were performed?

No. If the reversal is performed by a trained reversal physician, a vasectomy cannot be deemed irreversible because of how it was surgically performed.

Is this covered by insurance?

For an infertility consult, please contact your insurance company to check benefits prior to your visit. Once we establish care, we will reconfirm your benefit coverage.

How do I prepare for an appointment?

Please bring your photo identification and insurance card.

When you call to schedule an appointment, we can help you determine if a referral from your primary care provider or the specialist is needed.

Where do I take the seminal fluid for analysis?

While OSF HealthCare provides the collection device for the seminal fluid, we do not provide the seminal fluid analysis at this time.

Your provider will direct you to bring it to the nearest location along with some other important information about transporting the specimen.