Men, do you need to check out your fertility?
Infertility affects 1 in 10 couples overall. This becomes more common as you get older. By their late 30s, 1 in 5 couples will have difficulty getting pregnant.
Women often shoulder the “blame” and will get themselves thoroughly checked out if they haven’t fallen pregnant within 12 months of trying. However, in 50% of couples, at least part of the problem is on the male side.
We test male fertility by examining the sperm under a microscope to see if they are present in good numbers and look healthy.
This semen analysis test is available at Bray Women’s Health Centre. For more details of what semen analysis is, who carries it out and what the test entails, read here.
DNA Fragmentation testing is also avaliable, using the SDI Test. For most men, this would not be a routine test and would be best discussed with a fertility expert before ordering.
Semen analysis is also available for men who have had a vasectomy at least 12 weeks earlier.
You can book an appointment directly, without referral from a doctor. However, it is best to have a doctor who can help you to understand the report. This is particularly important if the result is not 100% normal. If you would like to discuss your result with a doctor, you can book an appointment with our fertility specialist, Dr Catherine Riordan.