The 411 On Semen Analysis!

If you and your partner have been trying to get pregnant but have had no luck, you may need to see a fertility specialist. Part of the process will involve an assessment of both the female and male partners. While many couples assume that infertility is only a female problem, about one-third of cases involve male factor infertility. Usually, Dr. Mark Denker recommends a semen analysis to check for this problem.

The 411 on Semen Analysis

This simple test can provide important information to Dr. Denker about whether or not male factor fertility may be an issue that is contributing to your difficulty conceiving.

A semen analysis looks at several characteristics, including:

• Sperm count- Identifies the number of sperm present per milliliter (mL) of semen in one ejaculation. Ideally, the sperm sample should contain at least 20 million sperm per mL.
• Motility- Looks at what direction the sperm move and determines how well they can swim. Obviously, stronger swimmers have a better chance of reaching the egg so that conception can occur.
• Morphology- The shape of the sperm can impact fertility. Morphology distinguishes how much normal-looking sperm are present versus the number of abnormally shaped sperm in the sample.
• Volume- Provides a measure of how much semen is present in one ejaculation. If the volume is too low or too high, you can have issues getting pregnant.

At Palm Beach Fertility Center, we want our patients to achieve successful pregnancies and welcome healthy babies into their lives. To effectively treat infertility, Dr. Denker will perform a thorough evaluation, which will likely include a semen analysis, so that he can determine the best infertility treatment.

For more information, please visit www.palmbeachfertility.com. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Denker, contact our office.