Questions Men Ask
Why do I have to have a semen analysis test done at the Ballarat IVF laboratory when I’ve had one done somewhere else?
The standards vary at different labs. We need accurate test results and we test for things that other labs may not, such as morphology and antibodies. Our lab is NATA accredited for semen analysis and antibody testing.
How can I be infertile when I have a million sperm in my ejaculate?
1 million sounds like a lot, but the normal count is 20 million sperm/ml or more. The average fertile man has 20 to 80 million sperm/ml. You are not infertile unless you have no sperm in your semen at all. Most couples having difficulty conceiving are ‘sub-fertile’.
How can I be sub-fertile when I have 200 million sperm in my ejaculate?
You may have high numbers but you may have high numbers of immotile (not moving) or abnormally shaped (abnormal morphology) sperm.
My count is very low – won’t it be better if I save up for a couple of weeks?
No. 3-day abstinence delivers the peak number of motile (moving) sperm in the ejaculate. For men with severe asthenospermia (motility less than 20%) it may be best to ejaculate daily or every second day prior. Please discuss this with a nurse coordinator or scientist before you start your treatment.
What if I can’t produce a semen sample on the day of IVF treatment?
This is not uncommon. It is important to practice masturbation prior to the day. Some men like their partners to help them and this can be arranged.
Why can’t I produce at home and bring the sample?
The scientists need to begin the preparation of the sperm within 1 hour of ejaculation. In some cases, if travelling time allows, you can arrange to produce at home. The sample must be kept at body temperature and delivered to the scientists within 30 minutes.
I have difficulty producing by masturbation. Can I produce by having intercourse with withdrawal?
Any sperm is better than no sperm. However, samples collected this way will be contaminated with large numbers of cells and debris, usually from the skin or from within the vagina. This makes it very difficult to rescue good motile sperm, especially if you have a poor semen profile.
Can I produce by having intercourse wearing a condom?
Generally no. Most condoms are sperm toxic. If you cannot collect sperm in any other way we can provide you with a non-toxic condom.
Can I use a lubricant?
No. Most lubricants are sperm toxic.
I collected the entire sperm sample but missed the first bit. Does this matter?
Yes, it matters. The first bit often contains most of the sperm. If you have been unable to capture all of the sample, please notify the lab staff.
Can I have my sperm frozen prior to our first treatment in case I cannot produce on the day?
Yes. However, a significant number of the sperm will die and so fresh sperm on the day is best.
What happens to my sperm when it is stored?
The sperm sample is mixed with a special ‘cryoprotectant’ solution that protects it during the freezing process. This mixture is then placed in plastic straws or vials clearly labelled for accurate identification, and frozen in liquid nitrogen. The straws / vials are then placed in special storage containers filled with liquid nitrogen. You will be required to pay an annual storage fee for this service.
Why might I need a trial preparation at Ballarat IVF?
Our scientists use various methods, depending on the profile of the sperm sample. They can get the best results for you if they can test a sample in advance.
The standards vary at different labs. We need accurate test results and we test for things that other labs may not, such as morphology and antibodies. Our lab is NATA accredited for semen analysis and antibody testing.
How can I be infertile when I have a million sperm in my ejaculate?
1 million sounds like a lot, but the normal count is 20 million sperm/ml or more. The average fertile man has 20 to 80 million sperm/ml. You are not infertile unless you have no sperm in your semen at all. Most couples having difficulty conceiving are ‘sub-fertile’.
How can I be sub-fertile when I have 200 million sperm in my ejaculate?
You may have high numbers but you may have high numbers of immotile (not moving) or abnormally shaped (abnormal morphology) sperm.
My count is very low – won’t it be better if I save up for a couple of weeks?
No. 3-day abstinence delivers the peak number of motile (moving) sperm in the ejaculate. For men with severe asthenospermia (motility less than 20%) it may be best to ejaculate daily or every second day prior. Please discuss this with a nurse coordinator or scientist before you start your treatment.
What if I can’t produce a semen sample on the day of IVF treatment?
This is not uncommon. It is important to practice masturbation prior to the day. Some men like their partners to help them and this can be arranged.
Why can’t I produce at home and bring the sample?
The scientists need to begin the preparation of the sperm within 1 hour of ejaculation. In some cases, if travelling time allows, you can arrange to produce at home. The sample must be kept at body temperature and delivered to the scientists within 30 minutes.
I have difficulty producing by masturbation. Can I produce by having intercourse with withdrawal?
Any sperm is better than no sperm. However, samples collected this way will be contaminated with large numbers of cells and debris, usually from the skin or from within the vagina. This makes it very difficult to rescue good motile sperm, especially if you have a poor semen profile.
Can I produce by having intercourse wearing a condom?
Generally no. Most condoms are sperm toxic. If you cannot collect sperm in any other way we can provide you with a non-toxic condom.
Can I use a lubricant?
No. Most lubricants are sperm toxic.
I collected the entire sperm sample but missed the first bit. Does this matter?
Yes, it matters. The first bit often contains most of the sperm. If you have been unable to capture all of the sample, please notify the lab staff.
Can I have my sperm frozen prior to our first treatment in case I cannot produce on the day?
Yes. However, a significant number of the sperm will die and so fresh sperm on the day is best.
What happens to my sperm when it is stored?
The sperm sample is mixed with a special ‘cryoprotectant’ solution that protects it during the freezing process. This mixture is then placed in plastic straws or vials clearly labelled for accurate identification, and frozen in liquid nitrogen. The straws / vials are then placed in special storage containers filled with liquid nitrogen. You will be required to pay an annual storage fee for this service.
Why might I need a trial preparation at Ballarat IVF?
Our scientists use various methods, depending on the profile of the sperm sample. They can get the best results for you if they can test a sample in advance.
