SEMEN PRESERVATION AND ANALYSIS
Learn about the health and viability of your semen and preserve it for the future
Semen Freezing and Analysis
Semen freezing is helpful for many reasons, such as storing multiple sperm samples before IVF to ensure there is enough sperm or preserving sperm before a sex change operation or chemotherapy.
The process usually involves a quick blood test to check for infectious diseases and producing a sample in a private collection room. The sample is then washed and the best quality sperm is frozen in vials for future use. Semen Analysis analyzes the health and viability of men’s sperm. If couples have problems getting pregnant, doctors will determine if infertility based on testing.
FAQ
What does a semen analysis test for?
A semen analysis determines the overall health of a semen sample by measuring sperm count, morphology (shape), motility (movement) and more.
What is considered a “normal” result for semen analysis?
For a semen analysis, the WHO defines a healthy sample as having:
A concentration of 15 million sperm per ml of ejaculate
An ejaculate volume of at least 1.5 ml
At least 4% normally shaped sperm
At least 40% moving sperm
Minimal clumping of the sperm cells
A normal viscosity (thickness of the semen)
Are there different types of semen analysis tests?
How is the sperm analysis test conducted?
Once the sample has been provided, the semen will be tested in a laboratory for the aforementioned qualities.
How do I prepare for a sperm analysis?
In order to yield the most accurate results, it’s important that patients take proper preparations before making the sample. These precautions include:
Avoid ejaculation for two to five days before the test;
Avoid any medications that may negatively impact the results, as instructed by your doctor;
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and drugs for at least two days before the test;
Be properly hydrated (semen has a high water content, which can negatively influence the viscosity if not hydrated well enough).