Which Test Is Best for Male Fertility?
Since you’re reading this, maybe you and your partner are having difficulty conceiving, or you’re at least curious to know about your fertility and reproductive health. We know it can be difficult to investigate your health, but it is always better to know so you can get the right treatment or make the right lifestyle changes to improve your chances.
Furthermore, there may be no issue, so getting a fertility test can give you peace of mind, and it has never been easier. Instant male fertility tests are now available, so you can get tested in the comfort of your home without needing to visit a doctor. These tests are an excellent first step in easily, quickly and comfortably testing your fertility.
This article discusses how a man can check if he is fertile, including the home male fertility testing kits and more advanced tests that can be performed by visiting your doctor.
INSTANT MALE FERTILITY TEST
Official Rapid Tests offer an instant male fertility test, an at-home test that checks the concentration in human semen within five minutes with 98.2% accuracy. The test comes with a collection cup, dilution buffer, test cassette, transfer device and workstation.
The instant male fertility test is straightforward to use. You will get your results within 5 minutes rather than long waits through the doctor's surgery when samples are sent to a laboratory, making these tests an excellent place to start if you’re concerned about your fertility.
Sperm concentration is one of the main factors that impact infertility in males, so doing this test at home can give you a good indication of your sperm health. In addition, if you’re anxious about getting started with testing your fertility, this test gives you results almost instantly, so you can quickly get vital information.
HOW THE INSTANT MALE FERTILITY TESTS WORK
- Order your instant male fertility test and wait for it to arrive.
With Official Rapid Tests, we promise to ship your test the same day Monday-Friday on orders placed before 2:00 pm. Orders placed after 2:00 pm will be shipped the following day; weekend orders will be shipped on the next working day.
- Take the test at home in minutes. Follow the instructions on how to take the non-invasive test.
The test works by detecting a protein in the semen that is only present with semen.
- Get your results within 5 minutes without having to send your results off to a lab.
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS FOR MALE FERTILITY
You will need to visit a doctor for more detailed male fertility tests. Here are some examples of the most common tests a doctor will likely offer you.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
One of the first tests your doctor will do is a physical examination. The doctor will check for two testicles, one on each side, and they will check the size. 95% of the volume of testicles is made up of cells that produce sperm, so the size of your testicles can help a doctor determine whether sperm production is normal.
MEDICAL HISTORY
Your doctor will ask if you have any inherited medical conditions that may contribute towards infertility. Your doctor will also ask about your medical history, including any illnesses and injuries and any medication you have taken or are currently taking.
It is essential to be open and honest with your doctor about your medical history and your lifestyle, as factors such as smoking, taking drugs or drinking alcohol can all contribute towards infertility.
SEMEN ANALYSIS
A semen analysis is one of the most important tests for checking male fertility. The instant home male fertility test is an excellent and quick indicator of sperm concentration and fertility, but more advanced tests can be done through a doctor.
The semen is analysed, and a lot of information can be determined by this test, including the quality and quantity of your sperm. You will typically be asked to provide a semen sample for this analysis. After getting fast results from your instant test, you may want to investigate further depending on the outcome.
A thorough semen analysis can check for the following:
Sperm concentration- this test will tell a doctor how many sperm per millilitre you have. An average amount is considered to be 15 million per millilitre. You will be deemed to have a low sperm count if yours is less than this.
Sperm motility- this test will determine the movement of your sperm. Poor sperm motility means that the sperm do not swim properly, which can lead to male infertility.
Sperm morphology- this test investigates the shape, size and structure of your sperm. This result is reported as a percentage of sperm appearing normal when examined under a microscope.
A low sperm count, low motility or a low morphology percentage can make conceiving challenging but certainly not impossible. It is recommended to keep having regular (every 2 to 3 days) unprotected sex for the best chance.
ADVANCED TESTS FOR MALE FERTILITY
After undergoing the usual male fertility tests, you may need further, more advanced tests to determine the cause of your infertility, but you may not. Not all men need such advanced tests; it depends on the results of your previous tests.
Male infertility can be complex, and it can take many tests to determine the root cause. Some men may never know the reason for their infertility. However, the good news is that many tests can be done, and here are just some of them.
HORMONE LEVELS
Hormone tests for male fertility determine the level of testosterone and sometimes FHS too (follicle-stimulating hormone) to investigate the overall balance of the hormonal system needed for fertility.
ULTRASOUND
A scrotal ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of internal structures. A doctor analysis this image to check for any abnormalities, including enlarged veins, lumps or anything else that can affect sperm quality and production.
TESTICULAR BIOPSY
A testicular biopsy may be offered if a semen analysis has found abnormalities but other tests haven’t found the cause.
TREATMENT FOR MALE INFERTILITY
Once you have taken fertility tests and determined the cause of your infertility problems, there are things you can do to help improve your fertility and increase your chances of getting your partner pregnant. The treatment will depend on the diagnosis.
LIFESTYLE AND DIET
Smoking, drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs are all factors that can influence poor fertility. Stopping these habits, eating a healthy balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise gives your body the best chance of producing good quality sperm.
HEAT CONTROL
Be mindful of your scrotal temperature to give your body the best chance of sperm production. If your testicles are too warm, this can poorly impact the quality of your sperm, as it may reduce production. Some examples of this include working in hot conditions, driving for extended periods or even having a laptop on your lap.
MEDICINES
Don’t stop taking prescribed medication but speak to your doctor about any medication, as some can reduce fertility. Your doctor may change your medication or offer further advice.
AVOID WORK HAZARDS
Some jobs involve working with hazards that can affect fertility, such as harsh chemicals, heat, metals and X-rays. You may want to speak to your employer to ensure you work safely.
REDUCE STRESS
Stress can have a tremendous impact on your body. If you’re stressing about getting your partner pregnant, this can reduce your sex drive and affect your fertility. Try to relax and allow things to happen in their own time. Stressing and worrying about it certainly won’t help.
TO CONCLUDE
A range of tests are available to you, and the best one for you will depend on your situation. To start, an instant male fertility test is a great way to get quick and easy results; for more advanced examinations, see your doctor.
For more information on Official Rapid Test’s instant male fertility test, visit our website or look at our frequently asked questions page. Or for more information on male fertility, visit: