It’s also possible the sperm could be immature and therefore not able to effectively fertilize an egg. A laboratory may identify abnormalities in the sperm’s head, midsection, or tail. If a man has greater than 50 percent of sperm that are abnormally shaped, this reduces his fertility. Your doctor will take each of the following results into account: Sperm shapeĪ normal result for sperm shape is that more than 50 percent of sperm are normally shaped. An analysis after vasectomy looks for the presence of sperm, but the analysis to look for fertility issues is much more in depth. When a doctor reviews sperm analysis test results, there are many factors to consider. This will give you a more comprehensive evaluation of your fertility.Īfter your semen sample is collected, your test results should be ready within 24 hours to one week, depending on the laboratory you go to. If you are concerned about your fertility, it’s best to get a lab test done by a medical professional. A normal sperm count (above 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen) from a home test doesn’t necessarily mean that a man is fertile, since it doesn’t consider all the possible causes of male infertility. Results for at-home tests are usually available within 10 minutes. They don’t analyze sperm motility or shape.

prescription drug use of medicines known to reduce sperm count, such as cimetidine.

If semen analysis results aren’t within normal limits and handling of the specimen isn’t a factor, your doctor may also consider whether you’re taking the following substances, which can affect your sperm count: There are no known risks associated with a sperm analysis.

taking the test when you’re ill or stressed.

semen coming into contact with spermicide.Some factors can negatively affect the test, including: Second, the semen must be delivered to the testing facility within 30 to 60 minutes of leaving the body. If it gets too warm or too cold, the results will be inaccurate. First, the semen must be kept at body temperature. Two main factors are crucial to having a good testing sample.

Masturbation is considered the preferred way to get a clean sample. There are four main ways to collect a semen sample: You’ll need to provide your doctor with a semen sample for a semen analysis.

Nor Doth He Sleep by John M. Simmons