Semen analysis​

This is to assess the presence, health and viability of your sperm. Three major factors the doctor will look for when analyzing your semen sample are: the number, the shape and the motility (movement) of your sperm.

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Blood tests and hormone testing

This is to check various hormone levels in your blood that can influence your fertility. This is very important if you have previously been taking hormones (such as testosterone) for some reason.

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Ultrasound examination

This test is often done in the doctor's rooms, and will give more information about the health of your prostate, seminal vesicles, scrotum and testicles - your reproductive system. 

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Genetic testing

Occasionally with very low sperm counts and especially when couples who have suffered recurrent miscarriages, there may be a genetic cause at play. Genetic tests look for inherited conditions and are usually performed in conjunction with a specialist genetic counsellor.

 

Retrograde ejaculation

This occurs when some of the semen (and therefore the sperm) end up in the bladder rather than coming out the front of the penis during ejaculation. By examining the urine post ejaculation, the fertility clinic can look for viable sperm which can be used for fertility treatment.

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Biopsy

Taking a small sample from the inside of the testicle and asking a pathologist to examine it under a high power microscope can give an indication of the cause of infertility. This procedure is sometimes combined with sperm retrieval and can be performed under local or general anaesthesia. It is also done at the time of a micro-TESE procedure.