Male Fertility

Healthy sperm aren't always a given. People planning a pregnancy might wonder about the health of their sperm. Sperm health depends on various factors, including quantity, movement and structure:

• Quantity. Fertility is most likely if the semen discharged in a single ejaculation (ejaculate) contains at least 15 million sperm per milliliter. Too little sperm in an ejaculation might make it more difficult to get pregnant because there are fewer candidates available to fertilize the egg.
• Movement. To reach and fertilize an egg, sperm must move — wriggling and swimming through a female cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes. This is known as motility. According to the Mayo Cliinic Mayo Clinic Healthy Sperm. "Pregnancy is possible with less than 40% of the sperm in ejaculate moving, but 40% is considered the threshold. The more the better".
• Structure (morphology). Typical sperm have oval heads and long tails, which work together to propel them. This is not as important a factor as sperm quantity or movement.

What causes male fertility problems?

Various medical issues can contribute to male fertility problems, including:

• A problem in the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland — parts of the brain that signal the testicles to produce testosterone and sperm (secondary hypogonadism)
• Testicular disease
• Sperm transport disorders
• Lifestyle choices including, being overweight, smoking and drinking 

Age also can play a role. The ability of sperm to move and the number of typical sperm tend to decrease with age, affecting fertility, especially after age 50.

Problems with sperm, including a low sperm count, are a factor in 1 in 3 couples struggling to conceive. Whether you’re planning a pregnancy or have started trying for a baby, this initial screening test can help you take proactive steps on your pregnancy journey.  

Because low sperm count is a common cause of male infertility, testing the sperm count is an important first step in determining if it’s the reason behind infertility. 

Unfortunately this is a very sensitive subject and many patients / customers might not want to go straight away to their GP for advice and / or support. Often they would rather test their fertility at home before going to a professional for advice and or support if needed. They might also just be curious to check their own fertility levels and this is where a test kit from the community phamacy comes in. 

There is a link 2SAN Male Fertility to the 2San Male Fertility (Sperm Concentration) Test (Case Only - Case Size 3) (6781470) available from Numark which can be done by the customer / patient in the comfort of their own home. 

The semen sample test which can be done by the customer / patient at home has many benefits including:

• Specifically designed to be done at home
• Results in under 20 minutes
• No need to send results off to a laboratory