Fertility problems affect both men and women. As
many as two out of every five couples with fertility problems require treatment
of both spouses, and in 25 percent of the couples their fertility problem rests
with the husband alone.
Fertility diagnosis and treatment is lengthy, time consuming and expensive.
The process can frequently be eased and shortened by both partners working together
with their fertility physicians from the beginning.
In addition to the tests done on a woman, it is often necessary to perform
a semen analysis to be sure a husband has sufficient normally functioning sperm
for fertilization to occur.
Human conception is a difficult and complex process, even under the best conditions.
Normally functioning sperm will ultimately complete the path to fertilization.
This means first breaking through cervical mucus, traveling up the length of
the uterus and entering the fallopian tube. Once in the fallopian tube, sperm
must meet an egg, penetrate the eggs protective coating and inner membrane,
and finally, fertilize the egg. Then, and only then, has fertilization occurred.
To increase a couple's chances for conception it may be necessary for the husband
to undergo special sperm studies.
Sometimes a semen condition will not respond to medical treatment. In these
circumstances, it may be possible to treat the sperm in the laboratory in an
attempt to enhance fertilization. More information about these tests is available
from your physician.
In order to obtain an optimal semen specimen, the husband may be requested
to refrain from ejaculation for at least 48 hours prior to providing a specimen.
DO NOT ABSTAIN for longer than 5 to 7 days, as the quality of sperm decreases
with prolonged storage in the body. A private room is provided near the Reproductive
Assays Laboratory for the collection of semen specimens. The wife may accompany
her husband if he wishes.
Many factors affect the quality of sperm produced by an individual at any
given time. These factors include items such as: unusual stress, fever, certain
medications, or any injury to the testicles. Therefore, the husband will be
asked to complete a brief reproductive history as well as note any temporary
conditions which may affect sperm quality. When making an appointment for semen
analysis, please inform us if there has been a fever or illness within the last
three months as this may affect the specimen.
If the wife's ovulatory cycle is being monitored for purposes of follicular
maturation studies, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization or gamete
intrafallopian transfer, the physician's office should be alerted if any conditions
occur which may affect sperm quality, such as illness or extreme stress. This
will enable the physician to evaluate the condition for potential adverse effects
upon the husband's sperm production at the time of his wife's ovulation. During
ovulation, one or more "fresh" semen specimens may be needed to increase
chances of conception.
The entire GRS staff has had special training in fertility problems. Please
feel free to ask questions at any time, as we all want to help you in working
with your physician.
Since fertility problems affect the couple, we want to remind you that husbands
are welcome, and encouraged to attend all consultations and appointments with
their wives.
