How to take a spermogram from men. How to take a spermogram

One of the studies that is prescribed primarily for men is a spermogram.

To take the test, seminal fluid is required, laboratory testing of which will determine the structure of sperm, their quantitative and qualitative indicators, and ability to conceive. This analysis cannot be replaced by any other examinations. You can take a spermogram at the AltraVita Reproduction Center.

Preparing and taking the test for men is not difficult, however, this is one of the most effective diagnostic methods. Correct interpretation of the result allows one to judge the reproductive function of men; it can also be used to identify some diseases of the reproductive system.

Indications and contraindications

The following medical indications are required for the test:

• Male fertility study (assessment of fertilization ability).
• Identifying the causes of infertility in men (if a woman does not become pregnant from her partner through regular sexual intercourse without contraception for at least six months).
• Assessment of testicular secretory function.
• When planning a pregnancy.
• In preparation for the IVF program.
• When planning sperm cryopreservation.
• Injuries to the genital organs in men, varicocele.
• Control over the treatment process.
• Potential male donors are required to take a spermogram.
• Preventive examination.

There are restrictions for taking ejaculate analysis:

• Febrile temperature (above 38 degrees) in the last month or two.
• Antibacterial therapy in the last three months.
• Men are not tested immediately after intimacy.
• Exacerbation of a chronic disease.
• Acute infections, including genitourinary.
• Before taking the test, you cannot visit a bathhouse, sauna, take a hot bath, or undergo thermal physiotherapy.
• Do not abuse caffeine and fatty foods before taking the test. Caffeine-containing drinks can reduce the volume of secretions, and fatty foods can reduce sperm motility.

The secret is not taken for analysis in men after: drinking alcohol, taking medications, prostate massage, heavy physical activity, stressful situations.

Preparing for a spermogram

Before the analysis, you should avoid sexual relations for at least two days, no more than seven days, the prohibition also applies to masturbation. Frequent intimate relationships can cause a decrease in sperm count; infrequent sex (abstinence for a month or more) leads to the formation of degenerative forms of sperm that are unable to fertilize an egg.

It is also necessary to avoid the use of alcoholic beverages and any drugs at least a week before the test. Alcohol, even in small quantities, promotes the death of germ cells, changes the shape of sperm, and negatively affects sperm motility - this is one of the main indicators of the study. If the work is related to hazardous production, especially where it is necessary to come into contact with chemicals, then you need to choose a day after the weekend to take the test.

In addition, a week before the examination you should avoid visiting saunas and baths. Overheating of the male body reduces sperm production, since the temperature of the scrotum is 1-2 degrees lower than the general body temperature, which is necessary for healthy spermatogenesis.

To take a spermogram, a man needs to rest; physical and emotional stress is undesirable. Excessive physical activity contributes to the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles, which worsens sperm parameters and distorts the examination results. Stress leads to hormonal imbalance, which leads to changes in the spermogram.

You should not undergo testing after a long flight within the last ten days. Acute illnesses accompanied by fever, diseases of the urethra, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, scrotal organs, suffered two weeks before the analysis, are also a contraindication. In this case, you need to undergo a treatment course and take a spermogram no earlier than 7-10 days after complete recovery and normalization of laboratory blood and urine parameters.

The study is not recommended if the patient underwent prostate massage, which affects the quality of the ejaculate, 2-3 days before diagnosis. Before taking tests, the diet should be rich in vitamins; a lack of vitamins negatively affects the process of spermatogenesis.

How to take a spermogram

How to take a spermogram - through masturbation, without using creams or any liquids. The properties of sperm change quickly, so you need to take a spermogram no later than an hour after ejaculation. That is why it is better to collect the material in the clinic in a designated room. For testing, there is a special sterile container that eliminates the possibility of bacterial contamination of the material and damage to sperm.

Of course, you can collect material at home, but the analysis must be delivered to the laboratory within an hour for research, and the sperm must be transported at human body temperature. This is due to the fact that after about 40 minutes the sperm begin to die or may change their structure.

Collecting seminal fluid in a regular latex condom is not allowed - it has spermicidal properties. It is better to use a special polyurethane non-toxic condom.

Rules for taking a spermogram

Let's talk about how a spermogram is taken. You need to collect all the sperm. One of the most important criteria is the volume of the material being studied, otherwise you should not count on an accurate result. The sperm should not be allowed to cool down. For those men who collect material outside the clinic, a container of seminal fluid can be delivered to the armpit.

Sperm obtained as a result of interrupted sexual intercourse cannot be used for research, since a spermogram can only be taken through masturbation.

Firstly, during sexual intercourse the first portion of ejaculate may be lost, and secondly, it is possible that cream, residues of detergents, etc. may get in, which will affect the result.

Often, for diagnostic purposes, sperm collection is prescribed, followed by culture to determine the microflora. In this case, before taking the test, the patient must urinate to wash away the contents of the urethra, then wash the genitals and hands. It is advisable that the intestines be emptied. You need to donate the entire amount of collected biomaterial, since such an important indicator as the volume of liquid is determined.

Preparing for a spermogram is an important point in the examination. Therefore, at the AltraVita reproduction clinic, the examination of men is taken extremely seriously. For a full examination, the center has modern equipment that allows even a slight deviation to be determined with high accuracy. The AltraVita clinic has a certificate for licensing IVF laboratories. If there are any deviations from the norm, re-examination is recommended. In addition, for a full result, you should take a spermogram, according to WHO recommendations, twice.

In case of infertility, a MAR test is performed as an additional method - an analysis for antisperm bodies, thanks to which immunological infertility can be excluded; It is not always possible to determine it using conventional research.

Sign up for a spermogram

It is carried out on the basis of a survey and collection of information. The main test for infertility in men is a spermogram (examination of ejaculate for fertility). Proper preparation for a spermogram allows you to obtain reliable data and avoid distortion of indicators and deviations from the norm.

The analysis is carried out not only to confirm and determine the ability to conceive. In some cases, a study is prescribed to determine the need for surgery, for example, for varicocele or upcoming treatment of cancer (for the purpose).

As you know, a sign of infertility is the inability of a couple who have been sexually active without using any contraception for a year to conceive a child. Worldwide, up to 15% of couples are infertile. Of these, 50% are infertile (abnormal ejaculate parameters). In 50% of cases the problem can be resolved with a positive outcome.

• How can a man get tested for infertility?
• Reasons for changes in male fertility
• Preparing for a spermogram
• Male factor infertility

How can a man be tested for infertility?

Examinations for men and women with infertility are prescribed simultaneously. But diagnosing male infertility is done earlier than in women, because it is easier.

How to test a man for infertility? To begin with, it is enough to prepare and take a spermogram. Examining ejaculate is not difficult and it immediately becomes clear whether it is necessary to further examine the spouse or look for the cause in the woman.

Causes of male infertility

The causes of infertility in men are often factors that can be corrected in 50% of cases. Among them:

• general health status;
• negative environmental factors;
• Lifestyle;
• urological diseases;
• genetic reasons;
• incorrect functioning of the immune system.

When should you not delay and take a spermogram?

• In the presence of an anamnesis of operations on the organs of the scrotum and in the groin area (varicocele, cryptorchidism, inguinal hernia, dropsy, adnexal cysts).
• For inflammatory diseases of the genital organs: epididymitis, orchitis, mumps (mumps). You especially need to be wary if the disease is of chlamydial etiology).
• If the woman is over 35 years old.

In these cases, regular sex life is needed for 3-6 months, if so, it should be.

Preparing for a spermogram

Preparation for taking a spermogram includes:

• Sexual abstinence before taking the test for 3-5 days. Moreover, all forms of sexual activity are excluded.
• Be sure to avoid overheating. And this needs to be done a few days earlier: not 3-5 days, but 7-10 days before a man is tested for infertility (baths, saunas and hot baths)
• Preparation before taking a spermogram is a mandatory limitation of fatty, spicy, fried foods and the exclusion of alcohol intake.

Test for infertility in men. What do you need to know?

When preparing before a spermogram, you need to take into account that the development cycle of spermatogenesis - from the birth of a sperm in the testicle to its entry into the sperm - lasts on average 72 days (65-75 days).

During this time, the quality of the ejaculate may be affected by unfavorable factors. For example, severe pneumonia with a high temperature of up to 40 C°. Therefore, within two months, when taking an analysis, signs of male infertility may be identified (although in reality this will not be reliable). Therefore, if you know that something serious has happened to a man over the last 3 months, wait until 3 months have passed and take the spermogram again.

Ejaculate is a multicomponent mixture, each component of which is important and is assessed in conjunction with other spermogram indicators.

In the analysis of ejaculate, first of all, the following indicators are assessed:

• the number of sperm, the so-called concentration in 1 ml and total (for the entire volume of sperm);
• ability to move – mobility;
• morphology is what sperm look like - the correctness of their structure.

Male factor infertility

1. Oligozoospermia– decrease in sperm count. For example, 15 million sperm per ml and below is considered oligozoospermia. There is such a term as polyspermy, when the number of sperm is increased. This is not considered bad.
2. Asthenozoospermia– decreased mobility.
3. Taratozoospermia– reduction in the number of germ cells with an ideal anatomical structure.
4. Oligospermia - a small amount of the seed itself (less than 1.5 ml).
5. Aspermia - complete absence of ejaculate - no sperm is released.
6. – there is sperm, but there are no sperm in it.
7. Combined forms, for example, oligoasthenoteratospermia.
8. Necrospermia – absence of mobile forms. In the modern world, an immobile sperm does not mean dead. And the word “necro” means dead. Nowadays, among immobile spermatozoa, using the hypoosmolar swelling test, living forms can be identified and used in the program.
9. Cryptospermia is a very common finding when visiting reproductive clinics for the purpose of IVF for male factor infertility. This is the detection of single sperm in the sediment after centrifugation. That is, in native sperm, spermatozoa are not detected during normal analysis, but during centrifugation, mobile or immobile single male germ cells are detected. Which doctors have learned to use for fertilization.
10. Autoimmune conflict– this increases more than 50% of sperm are covered with immune antibodies.
11. Leukocytospermia(pyospermia) – an increase in the number of leukocytes. Leukocytes are not always a sign of inflammation. Congestion - venous tension of the pelvic veins, scrotal veins with varicocele can be caused by an increased content of leukocytes. After this conclusion, you need, first of all, to understand where these leukocytes come from, find out their origin, rule out inflammation, and do a bacterial culture. Only then, having proven the diagnosis, treat the inflammatory process.
12. Hematosperemia - blood in semen. The most common cause is vesiculitis - inflammation of the seminal vesicles or weakness of the vascular wall of the vesicles due to venous stagnation. Up to 65% of the volume of the total ejaculate is formed in the seminal vesicles.

It must be remembered that in many cases the male factor of infertility is unstable and can be corrected.

The best method for taking a spermogram according to WHO recommendations is masturbation. Other methods have disadvantages. Interrupted sexual intercourse is undesirable because it may result in the loss of some sperm, the addition of impurities, leukocytes, and flora. The use of a condom is not allowed. In the production of condoms, a bactericidal lubricant is used, which distorts the analysis results. Condoms without lubricant are available, but the effect of latex on sperm has not been studied.

Before taking a spermogram, you need to purchase a sterile plastic, biologically inert container. This glassware is convenient for transportation and work in the laboratory.

In paid clinics there are specially equipped rooms for taking spermograms (sperm delivery or masturbation rooms), with a sofa and comfortable furnishings, with a device for playing video.

In order to take a spermogram, you can invite your spouse. The room is locked. The man must control himself, achieve orgasm and collect the ejaculate in a special container. The sample is immediately sent to the laboratory. Collecting semen for analysis at home and bringing it to the clinic is possible in exceptional cases. Improper transportation, violation of temperature conditions, fluctuations during movement damage male reproductive cells. As a result, poor diagnostics and unreliable results.

Ordinary clinics are not yet ready to equip such rooms, so men take a spermogram in an empty closed office, not far from the laboratory.

Correct sequence of actions:

• urinate;
• wash your hands with soap;
• open the sterile container without touching the inner surface;
• collect the ejaculate in a container;
• close it;
• leave on a shelf or table.

It’s easy to submit ejaculate for analysis; the main thing is to prepare yourself psychologically and prepare for the spermogram correctly. And remember that the quality of a man’s semen changes over time, and if unfavorable conditions, stress, and diseases are eliminated, the indicators return to normal. Try not to interpret the results yourself, since male fertility is assessed in a complex manner based on all indicators at once.

Men sometimes have to undergo peculiar tests. One of the frequently prescribed studies is a spermogram. The cost of such diagnostics depends on the complexity of the examination and the conditions of the clinic. This article will tell you about the features of the analysis. You will find out how to prepare for a spermogram. You'll also find out where you can do your research.

What is a spermogram?

Preparation for analysis will be described a little later. First, it’s worth talking about the analysis itself.

A spermogram is a study that is carried out exclusively on representatives of the stronger sex. This diagnosis allows you to find out about the state of a man’s reproductive function. Also, the analysis sometimes reports on inflammatory and infectious processes of the reproductive system. For the study, it is necessary to collect male ejaculate.

Why take a spermogram, and does everyone need it?

Does everyone need this analysis? The diagnostic procedure can be performed for each man at his request. However, not all males strive for this. In most cases, the study is performed only on the direction and recommendation of a doctor. Such a prescription can be given by an andrologist or urologist.

A spermogram is taken when a couple cannot conceive a child for a long time. Also, if a man has complaints, a diagnosis is prescribed. Symptoms indicating pathology include frequent or painful urination, premature or prolonged ejaculation. The test is mandatory for those men who have had a vasectomy.

Where can I get a spermogram?

Currently, there are a lot of private clinics where you can undergo such a study an unlimited number of times. Often men prefer to contact andrologists or urologists from such institutions. In this case, doctors recommend their own laboratories for analysis.

Spermogram: cost

How much does the analysis cost? When contacting a private medical institution, be prepared to pay from 3 to 10 thousand rubles. The final price directly depends on the qualifications of the doctors, the complexity of the study and the comfort of the clinic.

Where can you get a spermogram if you can’t pay for the test? Contact a public clinic. Visit a urologist or andrologist and talk about your problems. If indicated, the doctor will prescribe a test for you and give you a referral. In this case, the diagnosis will be carried out absolutely free. However, the patient must have a passport and insurance policy. It is worth noting that there is a waiting list for such tests. Be prepared to wait a bit. At this time, it is necessary to prepare for taking a spermogram, which will be described below.

Do I need to prepare for the analysis?

Preparation for taking a spermogram is always carried out. It does not matter where the research will be conducted. In public and private clinics, the conditions for analysis are the same.

Let's look at how to prepare for a spermogram. It is worth noting that if some points are violated, the result of the study will be distorted. In this case, the wrong treatment may be prescribed.

Abstinence from ejaculation

Preparation for a spermogram primarily involves abstinence. In most cases, the instructions issued state that the patient should not have sexual intercourse for three or five days. However, this formulation is not entirely correct.

Before the study, a man needs to refrain not only from contact, but also from masturbation. Night ejaculation, which occurs involuntarily, is also not allowed. If you are unable to control yourself and regularly experience wet dreams, then you should inform your doctor about this and get recommendations.

Proper nutrition

Preparing for a spermogram also involves eating certain foods and avoiding certain foods. Try to stick to proper nutrition the week before the test. This does not mean that you need to sit on the water and eat porridge. Try to limit your consumption of fatty, fried and salty foods.

Before the study, it is strictly forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages. This can lead to a bad spermogram. If possible, give up tobacco. If this is not possible, then at least reduce its consumption.

Clothes you like to wear daily

A bad spermogram may be due to banal clothing. If you like to wear tight swim trunks and tight jeans, then it's time to reconsider your style. It will be ideal if you choose natural, breathable fabrics and loose fits approximately two months before the analysis. However, not all men fulfill this requirement.

Try to change your thick jeans to cotton or linen trousers within a week. Replace your swimming trunks with boxers made not from synthetic materials, but from natural ones.

Ambient conditions

If you are scheduled for a spermogram, MAP test or bacteriological culture, then you should change your lifestyle a few weeks before the test. Avoid gyms and excessive physical activity. Refrain from visiting the sauna or steam bath. Also, do not take a hot bath or swim in cold open water. In the summer, try not to overheat in the sun and avoid sunbathing. All the pleasures described above can greatly distort the true result. An increase in temperature in the genital area leads to the death of sperm.

Assess your condition

Before taking a spermogram, you should limit all psychological and emotional stress. Statistics show that a rested man has a better analysis result than one who has worked seven days a week for a long time. Stress has a very bad effect on the condition of sperm. That is why many couples who cannot conceive a child for a long time return from vacation in a new situation.

It is also worth paying attention to your well-being. If in the near future you have had a cold or a bacterial infection with an increase in body temperature, you should postpone the study.

Before collecting material

Preparation for a spermogram requires compliance with certain conditions when collecting ejaculate. It is worth noting that it is preferable to carry out the procedure within the walls of the laboratory. With a regular spermogram, you need to collect the ejaculate in a sterile container and give it to the laboratory assistant. When you have a MAP test or culture test, you should wash your hands thoroughly with antimicrobial soap and urinate.

If the collection of material will be carried out at home, then certain conditions must be observed. You should not use interrupted coitus or oral sex. This can lead to the loss of part of the ejaculate or the detection of pathogenic flora in the sperm. The material collected for analysis must be delivered to the laboratory within one hour. In this case, the sperm should not be overcooled. This will also result in a poor test result.

Opinion of modern experts

Absolutely all private and public clinics prescribe the above-described training to their patients. However, some modern doctors express a different opinion on this matter. They say that you need to take a spermogram without any preparatory manipulations. This point of view is explained as follows.

Before sexual intercourse, a man does not comply with the above conditions. Intercourse can occur several times a day, after drinking alcohol and swimming in cold water. It is with this sperm that couples try to conceive a child. Because of this, this type of material is worth exploring. This approach will help to get a more realistic picture of a man’s health status.

Summing up the article

You now know what a spermogram is, why diagnostics are carried out and where you can get tested. Doctors say that every man should undergo such a diagnosis at least once in his life. This is equivalent to women regularly visiting a gynecologist and getting tested. The resulting spermogram result is valid for a short time. This is explained by the fact that changes can occur in a man’s body with age. Take a spermogram and find out about your men's health!

Sperm is a very important liquid that is produced by the male gonads and is involved in the process of fertilization of the egg. If a woman cannot become pregnant for a long period, then the man is asked to take a spermogram, which will show the quality and functioning of the seminal fluid.

Spermogram- This is a study of seminal fluid to identify pathology. Based on the results of the analysis, you can find out the causes of infertility in men, which is as common as female infertility. A correct and reliable result can only be obtained if you properly prepare and pass the analysis.

Why do you need a spermogram?

Male infertility is one of the most common pathologies nowadays. According to statistics, almost 40% of the male population suffers from infertility. A spermogram is a mandatory test when examining a man for infertility.

If all parameters of the spermogram analysis are normal, then a diagnosis is made

Indications for spermogram

A spermogram analysis is suggested for the following pathologies:

• Detection of male infertility in the absence of pregnancy in a woman for 6 months, without the use of contraception;
• If a man is planning to donate sperm;
• Assess the quality and normal functioning of the testicles, where sperm are produced and mature.
• Find out the reason.

How is sperm examined?

The spermogram is examined in two stages:

1. Conduct a macroscopic examination of sperm:
   • Consistency of seminal fluid;
   • The duration of its transition to the liquid state;
   • Amount of ejaculate;
   • Color;
   • Acidity;
   • Density.
2. Microscopic examination of sperm:
   • Their movement is considered;
   • Percentage ratio of active and passive sperm;
   • The presence of an inflammatory process in the ejaculate;
   • Morphology is studied.

How to properly prepare for a spermogram?

To obtain a high-quality result from the study of ejaculate, you need to properly prepare for it. This is very important to establish the correct diagnosis and undergo treatment.

Correct and competent preparation for the sperm examination procedure includes the following aspects:

How to take a spermogram correctly?

Rules and features of taking a spermogram:

A man cannot donate sperm for analysis under the following conditions:

• Over the past 60 days, there has been an increase in temperature above 38 degrees;
• If antibiotics have been taken for 3 months.

How to get a good spermogram result?

To improve the result of microscopic and macroscopic examination of ejaculate, it is necessary to follow the following algorithm of actions:

• No smoking;
• Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages;
• Do not overuse strong coffee or tea;
• It is useful to add more fiber, vitamins, and minerals to your diet;
• Plant foods, proteins, fermented milk products;
• Play sports, which will significantly increase the quality of sperm;
• Get good sleep for at least 8 hours;
• Better quality sperm mature from 10 pm to 6 am;
• The period of sexual abstinence before taking a spermogram should be 2 days, but not more than a week;
• It is recommended to test sperm twice every 21 days. If the result differs significantly, then you need to do the study a third time.

Only proper preparation for taking a spermogram will help you get a reliable result and undergo proper treatment.

How to improve poor spermogram results?

To improve the spermogram result, you need to adhere to the following rules:

Vitamins to improve sperm count

To improve sperm quality, you need to take the following vitamins:

• Thiavmina hydrochloride;
• Ascorbic acid;
• zinc;
• folic acid;
• vitamin E;
• selenium.

The vitamin complex can significantly improve sperm quality and can be obtained through diet. But even the most highly balanced diet will not be able to fully satisfy the need for vitamins and microelements. Therefore, it is recommended to undergo preventive treatment using a complex of vitamins.

Drugs to improve sperm count

To improve the quality of spermogram and the condition of sperm, doctors recommend taking vitamin complexes:

• Spematon. The drug contains zinc, L-cartinine and vitamin E. The vitamin complex helps with problems with conceiving a child, will help increase the quality and quantity of motile sperm;
• Folacin. The composition includes folic acid, which helps to increase the process of conception. Can be taken by women and men at the same time to speed up conception and birth of a child;
• Spermaplant. The composition includes medicinal herbs nettle and tauran, which have a positive effect on the reproductive system.

A spermogram is an analysis that can be used to determine the qualitative and quantitative state of the male seminal fluid and the sperm contained in it. The parameters used in the spermogram are key in the analysis of infertility, but good indicators cannot guarantee a man’s ability to fertilize. A bad test result does not mean that a man is infertile.

Why do a spermogram?

Not everyone understands what a spermogram is for, and often confuses it with an infertility test.

Indications for a spermogram may be:

1. Analysis of male fertility and fertilization ability.
2. The inability of a man to impregnate a woman without the use of contraceptives for more than a year and other male problems that arise when planning to conceive a child.
3. Assessment of spermatogenic functioning of the testicles.
4. If a man intends to participate in sperm donation

A spermogram is not a test for male infertility, but it allows for a general diagnosis of a man's ejaculate and helps in determining the causes of problems that arise with infertility.

However, only based on the results of a spermogram it is impossible to determine with 100% accuracy whether a man can conceive a child.

What is seminal fluid?

In order to understand what the spermogram says, you need to understand the basic terms that will appear in its decoding.

Seminal fluid, also known as sperm, is a white-yellow viscous substance with a specific odor. It is released as a result of ejaculation from the male genital tract. This fluid creates the environment that is necessary for the life and activity of sperm.

Sperm are the sex cells of a man. The seminal fluid contains a small amount of them, only 5%. The rest of the mass is water and substances that create favorable conditions for preserving the vital activity of germ cells.

Preparing for the analysis and submitting it

The preparatory period for taking a spermogram is of great importance. Compliance with a number of necessary rules will allow you to make an objective test, the result of which will be adequate indicators. If the preparation for the analysis is not followed, the results may be interpreted incorrectly, and a number of problems may arise in this regard.

Compliance with the instructions that are necessary for taking a spermogram will ensure the most adequate test result:

1. Diet. For 7 days before taking a spermogram, you should exclude fatty, fried foods and coffee from the menu. Their presence in the diet can reduce sperm activity and the total volume of ejaculate. To carry out the analysis, you should ensure that the body is sufficiently saturated with vitamins.
2. Sexual abstinence before a spermogram should be two days, but not exceed one week. Compliance with these limits is very important, since it is during this period of time that a man can produce a sufficient number of sperm ready for fertilization. If the period of abstinence is less than two days, the volume of the ejaculate will be reduced, and the sperm may not be fully mature. If abstinence lasts more than 7 days, then the ejaculate may contain a large number of old and immobile sperm. Longer abstinence is fraught with the appearance of sperm of old degenerative forms that have lost the ability to fertilize.
3. Quitting alcohol. One week before a man takes the test, it is recommended to stop taking alcohol or drugs. Taking the above drugs leads to mutation of germ cells, reduces their activity or kills them, which can negatively affect the results shown by the spermogram.
4. The analysis is impossible in case of inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system. If there are any, appropriate treatment must be carried out, and the analysis can be carried out after one week after recovery. This period is enough to remove the remaining drugs from the body and eliminate the possibility of them affecting the quality of sperm.
5. Colds and acute respiratory diseases, accompanied by an increase in body temperature, also require preliminary treatment. The analysis can be carried out after 1-1.5 weeks.
6. Reaching a body temperature above 37ºC negatively affects the condition of the seminal fluid. The temperature required for sperm maturation should be 1-2 degrees below normal body temperature. That is why you need to avoid visiting baths and saunas on the eve of the test.
7. It is necessary to exclude physical activity. Overworking of the body and accumulation of milk fluid in muscle tissue can affect the results of the analysis.
8. Stress disrupts the body's hormonal levels, so you should avoid stressful situations on the eve of taking the test.
9. If a man is undergoing a prostate massage course, it is better to stop it before taking the test.
10. A man should come to the test well-slept and rested, as a normal erection is needed.

The collection of ejaculate can take place at home or in a hospital setting. Many men prefer the home option, but it reduces the reliability of the results, so doctors recommend collecting sperm directly in the hospital. Special conditions allow you to adhere to the rules for collecting ejaculate in clean, dry and sterile containers and timely track the time of ejaculate liquefaction. For this purpose, hospitals have special booths with erotic materials. This indicator is included in the list of characteristics from which the spermogram is compiled.

Ejaculation should occur through masturbation; this is the optimal way to obtain sperm, which allows you to obtain adequate tests. Coitus interruptus is not appropriate. As a result of collecting sperm through interrupted sexual intercourse, it may contain secretions from the female genital organs, which will negatively affect the process of sperm examination.

Spermogram accuracy

You should know that seminal fluid parameters may depend not only on the general condition of the body, but also on the time of delivery.

This may cause the amount of ejaculate and its composition to fluctuate. Such a nuance cannot be foreseen, which is why it is recommended to carry out spermograms at least 2 times with an interval of at least 2 weeks, and if there is a large difference in the test results, a third test is needed. Several analyzes will help to create a more complete picture of the condition of a man’s sperm.

It must be borne in mind that even the most accurate studies have some error. When calculating the number of germ cells in seminal fluid, 5% is allowed for error. Normal indicators in this test are a very shaky concept, and it depends on the interaction of many indicators, so it is better to leave the interpretation of the tests to a specialist and not diagnose yourself.

Interpretation of spermogram results

The indicators of each of all points of the analysis give the doctor the opportunity to create a complete picture of the condition of the man’s sperm. When interpreting analyses, the following points are taken into account:

1. The period of ejaculate liquefaction. Men undertake to check this characteristic of sperm very first, because the liquefaction time must be measured from the moment of ejaculation. The rate of dilution of seminal fluid is influenced by the enzymes produced by the prostate gland. If liquefaction does not occur within 40 minutes, this signals possible abnormalities in the functioning of the prostate gland, and in order to conduct further research, a special reagent is added to the sperm, which accelerates this process.
2. Ejaculate volume. The amount of sperm per ejaculation, reaching less than 2 ml, may be an indicator of the impossibility of conceiving offspring. The small volume of semen is unable to contain the acidic environment of the vagina for a long time; this kills sperm before they reach the uterus. Therefore, all the sperm obtained as a result of ejaculation is needed.
3. Sometimes a process called retrograde ejaculation occurs (ejaculation into the bladder). In the absence of external ejaculation, but the presence of ejaculatory physical sensations, it is necessary to conduct a urine test for the presence of sperm.
4. The color and smell of ejaculate were previously a mandatory item in the spermogram. But today these parameters do not play a big role; according to WHO recommendations, this item is not on the list of diagnostically significant sperm parameters.
5. The pH value determines the acidity of the seminal fluid. The normal pH is 7.2-8.0. Deviations from this indicator are not significant in themselves, but in combination with other disorders they can become a significant reason for making a diagnosis.
6. Sperm count. One of the most important indicators in a spermogram. Their number is recorded in the ratio of millions per 1 ml of seminal fluid. In this regard, the question arises as to what number of sperm is normal and allows a man to fertilize a woman. The content of less than 20 million male germ cells in 1 ml of ejaculate indicates a deviation from the norm. Sperm counting is carried out by computers (Goryaev camera).
7. Sperm motility. This is the second most important indicator; to decipher it, use a table that includes 4 degrees of mobility: A, B, C, D. All categories occur in one ejaculate sample. Their ratio depends on the duration of abstinence and the general condition of the sperm. According to standard indicators, sperm of groups A and B should predominate in the sperm. The activity of sperm is greatly influenced by the ambient temperature; at a temperature of 37°C it reaches a peak, and at 10°C it is practically absent. Even with indicators of up to 85% of immobile sperm, a man can maintain fertilizing ability, but provided that other spermogram criteria are normal.
8. Spermagglutination leads to the gluing of sperm due to a disruption of the immune system. It should not be confused with sperm aggregation, since this gluing of sperm occurs under the influence of mucus contained in the seminal fluid and does not affect fertility.
9. Antisperm antibodies can occur in both male and female bodies. They disrupt the activity of sperm and interfere with their fertilizing ability.

A spermogram allows you to assess the condition of a man’s seminal fluid, identify possible abnormalities and make an appropriate diagnosis. This is not a test for infertility, but it can determine the causes of the problem. Only with a comprehensive examination of the spermogram results can we talk about the condition of a man’s sperm.