If you and your partner have been trying to conceive for a long time, there might be an underlying male factor that is contributing to your infertility. If so, you will likely need to undergo a semen analysis test Tampa. This is a comprehensive examination of the quality and condition of your sperm. It can identify low sperm counts, abnormal sperm movement, and other factors that can contribute to male infertility.
A semen analysis can be performed by a fertility clinic or at home using a self-collection kit. However, these kits don’t provide as much information as a complete analysis that your doctor orders. Moreover, they may not be able to detect DNA fragmentation in your sperm. DNA fragmentation is an important indicator of the health of your sperm and can lead to infertility, premature birth, or miscarriage.
During a semen analysis, many different aspects of your sperm semen analysis test Tampa are evaluated, including the concentration and count (sperm volume), motility (percentage of sperm that is moving or swimming), and morphology (sperm shape). The test can also evaluate the acrosome reaction (sperm’s ability to bind to the egg) and the zona binding or hemizona assay (the outer layer of the woman’s egg that sperm must penetrate to fertilize it).
It’s important to keep in mind that the results of your semen analysis can help determine the next steps for treatment. If the results indicate that you have an abnormal sperm count or that your sperm isn’t motile, a doctor can prescribe medication to improve your chances of conception. A doctor can also perform additional infertility tests to find out what’s causing the problem.
A semen analysis is often the first infertility test for men. It’s especially helpful for men who have had a vasectomy because it can confirm whether or not there are still sperm present in the sample. It’s not unusual for sperm to remain in the semen after a vasectomy, but the sperm must be able to move through the female reproductive tract and reach an egg to cause pregnancy.
After age 35, a man’s fertility begins to decline. This is largely due to a decrease in sperm count, but other reasons can include abnormal morphology and motility. A semen analysis can help identify the underlying causes of these problems and suggest treatment options.
In addition to a semen analysis, fertility doctors often order blood tests, hormone panels, and other infertility tests to fully investigate a case of male infertility. Depending on the results of these tests, a doctor may recommend treatments like fertility drugs or in vitro fertilization. In some cases, a doctor may also order a scrotal ultrasound to examine the scrotum for blockages and other factors that can contribute to male infertility.