How is male infertility defined?

Infertility itself is generally defined as the inability to achieve a pregnancy after one year of regular intercourse without contraception. This means that a doctor will usually send a couple away if they have been trying for less than one year and tell them to 'let nature take its course'. Whilst medically justifiable this can be quite distressing for couples who often become concerned when trying for only a few months without success.

Men that are investigated for infertility have to send a sample of their semen to the laboratory for semen analysis. Results usually take a few days. Fortunately you can now do a simple screening test at home and so not have to wait until your doctor is prepared to test you. This also has the advantage of being discreet because it is done in your own home and no-one else need know about it. We know that doctors maintain confidences but it is scary to think we might see someone we know when we go to the hospital clinic ! The home test and our information will help you make a start.

A man is considered at risk of infertility if his sperm count is less than 20 million per ml and probably sterile if his sperm count is less than 500,000 per ml.

There are other parameters looked for by the laboratory and for more detailed information on semen analysis please click on this link

Men should consider testing themselves if they have taken body building drugs, smoke excessively, drink alcohol excessively, take extreme exercise, have hazardous and stressful jobs (for example deep sea diving), use DDT metabolite pesticides as part of their jobs (fruit farmers and flower growers), have had a sexually transmitted disease, had mumps as a child, or have had a traumatic injury to the testicles.