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Good Practices for Sperm Production
"These are general recommendations and clients are encouraged to visit with a licensed dietician or health coach to confirm changes. Upon request a referral can be made. There are a lot of reasons why a diet needs to be specifically targeted to the individual. The premise is that improved general health leads to healthier sperm production."
When Should A Man Decide to Have His Fertility Evaluated?
Subfertility of the male should be considered when a couple has been unable to conceive for 12 months of non-contraceptive, spontaneous intercourse or 6 months if they are over the age of 35. It is better if the couple is using a defined evidence based fertility awareness or natural family planning method however. In this case, 2-3 cycles of properly timed intercourse along with documented peak (ovulation) on the woman’s chart without a positive pregnancy test is reason to take a closer look at fertility...
How is Male Fertility Evaluated?
The first step in evaluating the male is the basic semen analysis. It is recommended to have at least 2 tests performed 2-6 months apart, but if the first test results are well into the normal range it is acceptable to postpone the second test and move to other testing as discussed below. Conclusions should never be made off of one semen analysis test due to the variability each man may have in addition to laboratory and specimen handling issues. A result below normal limits is a good time to get serious about health and implement healthy lifestyle changes...
How Can a Man Collect a Semen Specimen in a Morally Licit Manner?
Many fertility laboratories will insist that you must collect the semen specimen at the laboratory by masturbation to avoid factors that can affect the sperm. Reducing the variables such as time to analysis, temperature changes, and contamination with other substances is important, but expecting the man to go into a room at the lab with a cup and a magazine is not dignified. To protect the dignity of the man and the sanctity of the marital act, Catholic ethicist has recommended a specific way to collect. After explaining the purpose of this method however, even non-Catholics recognize the inherent value in using it...
What Should Happen After You Get Your Semen Analysis Results
Although this a positive sign, it does not prove fertility and additional semen/sperm testing should be considered when conception is still not occurring despite 3 or more cycles of precisely timed intercourse with documented balanced menstrual cycles and peak on the woman’s chart. Or if there is a history of miscarriage. Otherwise, it would be prudent to begin focusing on other possible areas of infertility in the couple and then re-test again after several months.
Your Semen Analysis Results are Abnormal, Now What?
When the results of the semen analysis are abnormal on repeat tests, it is time to get serious about evaluating the underlying cause. A thorough past history is necessary along with an assessment in diet, lifestyle, exercise, and supplementation. It can never be harmful to improve health and I strongly prescribe to the notion that maximizing your health will maximize your fertility. But there are a number of reasons for poor semen analysis results and some reasons cannot be solved with these changes. Let’s take a look at a differential diagnosis based on results.