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Male Factor Infertility
Infertility From His Perspective
By Tamar Weiss
The purpose of the semen analysis is, primarily, to check:
- Semen volume: Volumes less than 1 milliliter or greater than 5 milliliters affect fertility.
- Sperm motility: Normal sperm will swim faster and straighter than abnormal sperm.
- Sperm morphology: Morphology is determined to be normal if more than 50 percent have an oval head, are between 3 to 5 millimeters long and 2 to 3 millimeters wide and have a mid-piece and tail.
- Semen viscosity: The amount of time it takes for semen to liquefy after it is ejaculated.
- General make-up of semen.
These are just a few common tests and indicated conditions that infertile men may suffer. Often, men will have to go through more grueling examinations and procedures. It is especially important, says Dr. Kolettis, for each individual in the couple to support whichever of them is undergoing a test or procedure at that specific time. These things can cause a great deal of emotional stress on individuals and couples, making it very difficult to remain positive and upbeat during fertility testing and treatment.
Dr. Sally Kope, a sex therapist and supervisor with a private practice in Ann Arbor, Mich., stresses that in order to keep a relationship positive during such a time, "It takes real determination, and many times a sexual relationship really suffers." She suggests taking a break from the basal thermometers for a while if there is a great deal of stress. Making couple time alone and having other interests outside of becoming pregnant are quite helpful.
Dr. Sandlow points out that treatments take time to work and a man's reproductive cycle is approximately three months, so that after any type of treatment there is ostensibly a three- to six-month period of improvement. He advises his patients to get back to having sex for non-reproductive reasons at this time. He says this is a great time to "return to non-stressful sexual activity."
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