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Mount Gambier Male Fertility Assessment

Male fertility plays a key role in conception, making it important to understand.

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The Importance of Male Fertility Assessment

Both members of a couple play a role in conception, which is why assessing the reproductive health of both partners is so crucial. At Surfcoast Fertility, our local IVF clinic offers supportive, patient-centred care to help you understand your fertility and plan your next steps.

Male Infertility Explained

Male fertility is a factor that is often overlooked. In many cases, there may be no noticeable signs of male fertility concerns beyond difficulty conceiving, meaning the issue may go undetected until a couple begins trying to start a family.

Lower sperm counts or reduced sperm motility are among the more common factors associated with male infertility. While these findings do not rule out the possibility of conception, they may contribute to a longer time in achieving pregnancy.

Common Causes of Male Infertility

Low sperm counts are among the most common factors associated with male infertility, and the reasons behind this may vary considerably between individuals. In some cases, the cause may be genetic, while in others it may arise following a trauma or infection in the testes or prostate.

Maldescended testes and hernia surgery are also linked to low sperm counts. In addition to these, environmental factors may also have an impact on male fertility.

The following environmental factors may play a role:

Smoking
Alcohol consumption
Exposure to herbicides
Insecticides and volatile agents
Obesity
Excessive heating of the testes
Anabolic steroids

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Treatment Options for Male Infertility

Depending on the cause of male infertility, as well as your individual needs and preferences, there are a number of potential treatment options available.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Some men experiencing infertility may improve their sperm count by supporting their overall health. This may mean making lifestyle changes and taking male fertility vitamins or antioxidants.

PESA

Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration, commonly known as PESA, involves the retrieval of sperm directly from the epididymis using a fine needle. This minimally invasive procedure is generally recommended for men who have had a vasectomy or who have an obstruction that prevents sperm from being present in the semen.

Testicular Biopsy

During a testicular biopsy, a needle is used to collect sperm directly from the testicle. The procedure is typically performed under general anaesthesia to help minimise discomfort.

Microdissection TESE

Microdissection Testicular Sperm Extraction (micro-TESE) is a surgical approach used to locate and retrieve sperm from within the testicular tissue. Generally recommended for men with very low or absent sperm production, the procedure is performed under general anaesthesia, with a microscope used to help identify the areas within the tissue most likely to contain viable sperm.

Hormone Treatment

Some male fertility concerns may be related to the functioning of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, and in these instances, hormone treatment may assist in supporting sperm production.Hormonal treatments may also be applicable for men with a history of testosterone replacement therapy.

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Your Male Infertility Questions Answered

Is male infertility a common issue?

Male infertility is indeed a common concern. Research suggests that 30% of fertility issues may be attributed to male factors.

How is male infertility assessed?

A semen analysis test is generally the preferred approach for assessing male infertility. This test allows scientists to evaluate sperm quality, including shape, count, and motility, as well as the possible presence of sperm antibodies.

Where the initial test produces abnormal results, repeating the test is an important next step. If abnormal sperm counts are confirmed, further blood tests may be recommended to assess testicular function.

A urologist or andrologist may occasionally recommend a testicular tissue sample be obtained for microscopic evaluation.

What does a semen analysis assess?

A semen analysis evaluates a number of key areas related to sperm quality, including:

Volume of the semen sample
Sperm count
Motility
Morphology
Sperm antibodies

Anti-sperm antibodies are most commonly linked to a previous vasectomy and may have an influence on fertility outcomes following vasectomy reversal.

Understanding these results helps practitioners assess the chances of conception through treatments such as IVF, IUI, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

What do typical semen analysis results indicate?

While semen analysis results are generally considered together rather than in isolation, there is a typical benchmark for each area being assessed.

Sperm count, for example, generally has a normal value of 5 million+ sperm/ml, while sperm motility is considered within the normal range at 40%+ motile and 32%+ with good, progressive movement.

Sperm morphology, which refers to the shape and size of sperm, is another important factor. Generally, greater than 4% normal sperm forms is considered within the average range.

Finally, the test may also detect sperm antibodies in the semen or blood. The presence of antibodies affects their ability to move and fertilise eggs.

Are additional tests available for assessing male infertility?

In addition to a semen analysis test, your fertility doctor will review your medical history as part of a thorough assessment. Depending on the findings, additional tests and minimally invasive procedures, such as ultrasounds, may be considered and discussed during your consultation.

Can men who have had a vasectomy regain fertility with microsurgery?

Available research suggests that sperm may reappear in many cases following microsurgical vasectomy reversal. That said, high levels of sperm antibodies may be present in some instances, which may have an impact on the likelihood of natural conception.

For those within seven years of their vasectomy, a reversal procedure may be worth considering. Beyond this period, a sperm retrieval procedure combined with IVF and ICSI may be the most suitable pathway.

What does sperm DNA fragmentation mean?

Sperm DNA fragmentation describes breaks or damage found within the DNA of sperm. Although all sperm carry some level of DNA fragmentation, certain men may experience higher-than-normal levels, which may have implications for fertility outcomes. Where this is the case, antioxidants may also be of benefit.

Can a combination of treatments be beneficial?

Where appropriate, a combination of approaches may be explored when reviewing different treatment pathways. Our team will take the time to discuss the available options with you to support treatment planning and work towards improving the likelihood of success.

When should I seek support for male infertility?

If achieving pregnancy is taking longer than expected, seeking support or undergoing a fertility test may be a worthwhile consideration. Assessment may assist in identifying underlying conditions that could be playing a role in your difficulties.

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Explore Your Options With a Fertility Doctor

If you’re finding it difficult to conceive, it may be worth considering a fertility check. At Surfcoast Fertility, we understand that fertility concerns can feel challenging, and we offer compassionate, evidence-based care to support you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team with any questions you have or to book an appointment.