What does the semen analysis tell?

Several medical examinations have to be carried out at the beginning of an infertility treatment. In women ultrasound examinations, blood tests and classification of specific hormones are carried out. The range of possible examinations is slightly larger in women than in men: For them the search for the causes of infertility is basically limited to the spermiogram.

There the quality of sperm cells and the chances of a successful fertilisation process is analysed under the microscope. Experts mainly consider the number, motility and appearance of sperm cells. The result is recorded in the so-called spermiogram.

The World Health Organisation provides the following definition:

Regrettably, in the event of male fertility disorders the spermiogram often detects several deviations. In many cases there is not only the number of sperm cells reduced, but also their motility is disrupted or cells present too many morphological variations.