Men's health
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Semen analysis is an important laboratory examination used to assess male fertility. It is the first and most essential examination when investigating the causes of infertility. The count, motility, and structure of sperm are examined from the sample.
In addition, sperm antibodies are examined, which can cause sperm to bind to each other and prevent them from moving freely. These antibodies are an immune system reaction that can hinder the sperm’s journey to the egg and thus make fertilisation more difficult. The examinations provide a comprehensive picture of semen quality and fertilisation capacity.
A semen analysis is indicated if dreams of having a child have not materialized within the desired timeframe and you wish to investigate male fertility. You can also seek the examination independently, for example, before semen cryopreservation.
You can have a semen analysis done before the infertility specialist’s first appointment, so that the results are ready for the appointment and can be utilized in planning further examinations and treatment.
A semen analysis may be indicated if there are underlying factors affecting fertility. These can include, for example, an undescended testicle, testicular varicose veins, or a previous genital inflammation, such as chlamydia.
A semen analysis should be performed before starting testosterone or other hormone therapy. The examination provides information about the baseline status of sperm production, against which any future changes can be compared. Treatment can affect sperm production, so knowing the baseline status is important when assessing fertility.
Semen analysis is also performed as a follow-up examination after a vasectomy. The examination ensures that there is no longer sperm in the semen.
To ensure a reliable semen analysis result, it is important to prepare carefully for giving the sample. In order for sperm quality to be optimal, 1–3 days should have passed since the previous ejaculation. In addition, it is recommended to avoid alcohol consumption and stress, which can affect the quality of the sample.
The sample is provided into a sterile sample container obtained from the clinic. You can give the sample in our peaceful and private sample room or, if you wish, also at home.
When brought from home, the sample must be collected into the container provided by the clinic, which can be picked up from the clinic's checkout or laboratory before giving the sample. If the sample is collected at home, you must call the clinic in advance and book an appointment to drop off the sample.
If you provide the sample at home, it must be delivered to the laboratory within one hour of giving the sample at the latest. During transport, the sample must be carefully protected from both cold and heat. The optimal temperature is 20–37 degrees.
When receiving the sample, the laboratory personnel will verify your identity. Remember to bring an ID card for this purpose.
You will receive the semen analysis results and statement in OmaMehiläinen once the results are ready. If there are abnormalities in the results, a physician will contact you and, if necessary, refer you for further examinations. Contact practices may vary depending on whether you came for the examination with or without a referral. You can also book an appointment with a clinic physician yourself to go over the results.
A semen analysis assesses, among other things, the volume of semen as well as sperm count and motility. The results are compared to the reference values defined by WHO, which help assess the quality of the semen. However, reference values alone do not determine fertility; instead, results are always assessed as a whole.
The following reference values are used in a semen analysis:
If the semen analysis results show abnormalities or more detailed information is needed on the quality of the semen, a physician may recommend further examinations. One possible additional examination is the examination of oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress can affect sperm function and semen quality. The MiOXSYS examination can be used to assess the oxidative stress of semen and obtain more information about the situation. The physician assesses the need for the examination individually based on the results of the semen analysis and the overall situation.
The goal of further examinations is to form an overall picture of fertility and assess whether additional examinations or treatment are needed.
Female fertility and its examination
Felicitas offers expert assistance in investigating female fertility. Examinations and treatment are always planned individually.
Male fertility and its examination
At Felicitas Mehiläinen, we offer expert support and comprehensive examinations for questions related to male fertility.
The sample is provided through masturbation into a sterile sample container. It is important to collect the entire ejaculation. Regular condoms cannot be used because they contain substances that are harmful to sperm. If needed, non-toxic condoms suitable for sample collection can be obtained from Felicitas Mehiläinen. If the sample is collected at home into a condom, it must be delivered to the clinic within one hour of providing the sample at the latest.
It is important to protect the sample carefully against cold and heat during transport. The optimal transport temperature is 20–37 degrees. The sample container and the appropriate forms to be filled out must be collected from the clinic prior to providing the sample.
The semen analysis result is most reliable when 1–3 days have passed since the previous ejaculation. This period of abstinence ensures that there is enough sperm in the sample and that their quality is optimal for assessment.
The results of the semen analysis provide information on the sperm count, motility, and structure. These are key factors in the assessment of male fertility. A summary of the results is compiled with reference values based, for example, on World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Normal values refer to the limit values within which semen is considered capable of fertilisation. If the results deviate from these reference values, it may indicate reduced fertility.
If the semen analysis results are abnormal, it is often necessary to examine the situation with a new sample. A physician will contact you and guide you to the necessary further examinations if you have requested to be contacted. If you have come for the examination with a referral from your doctor, you can arrange to go over the results directly with them. Please note that if your doctor practices somewhere other than Mehiläinen, the results will not be forwarded to them automatically, and delivering them may incur additional costs.
Yes, semen quality can be improved through lifestyle changes. Quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, healthy lifestyle habits, and a balanced diet can have a positive effect on semen quality. Certain medications and infections can also impair semen quality.
