How can a man test his fertility?
There is a range of tests that can be done to assess male fertility. I think the starting point always is to do a detailed clinical assessment to see if any risk factors can contribute to male fertility or infertility.
However, the initial test is always arranging a semen analysis. A semen analysis can be performed anytime, you need to speak to a fertility clinic, and a fertility specialist will be able to arrange that for you.
If the semen analysis is normal, then in that case, you can take a proactive approach and go for further tests such as looking at the oxidative stress tests (ROS test) or looking at sperm DNA fragmentation index (sperm DFI), which gives an idea of the oxidative damage onto the sperms from various lifestyle factors.
You can also go and do further tests such as sperm aneuploidy, which gives information about the prevalence of five common chromosomal problems within the genetic material of the sperm cell. This will probably form a full andrology check for a full male fertility MOT.
However, if you have a history of past infections or if you have had a history of any surgery or Klinefelter’s Syndrome, then obviously, in that case, it would be advised for further tests.
In the case that the semen analysis shows that there’s a low sperm count, low motility, or low morphology, in that case, you might need to repeat a semen analysis in two to three months time because many times a recent illness or surgery can affect the parameters and it is only transient in nature.
However, if the repeat semen analysis is again normal, then that would mean you should see a fertility specialist if you’re actively trying to conceive.