The only reliable way to know if your husband is fertile is through medical testing, primarily a semen analysis. There are often no obvious outward signs or symptoms of male infertility, with the primary indicator being the inability to conceive a child after a year of regular, unprotected sex.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a regular semen analysis shows a sperm concentration of at least 15 million sperm per millimeter of semen, with at least 30% motility and 4% normal morphology.
The two main options are:
Normally, semen is a thick liquid and is white in color. However, several factors can alter the color and consistency of semen. Watery sperm can be a sign of low sperm count, indicating that fertility may be affected. Watery sperm can also be a temporary condition that does not seriously impact health.
If you're a woman, there are signs that can point to how fertile you are, such as a regular monthly cycle and ovulation, past medical history including any STI's, conditions such as endometriosis or the presence of fibroids, and more. For men, the easiest way to find out their fertility is by doing a semen analysis.
Age and Male Fertility
Peak male fertility is around 25-29 years old. Sperm quality begins to decline at 30. At 45, men begin to experience a significant decrease in semen volume.
We cannot determine male fertility by looking at a man or even by analysing his general health and lifestyle factors. To know if you are fertile, you will need to get tested. The depth of analysis and what the testing can tell you depends upon the package you opt for.
Signs of Unhealthy Sperm
Signs and symptoms you may notice include:
Semen is usually whitish-gray. But sometimes, semen may be a different color, including yellow. Yellow semen usually isn't a cause for concern. But sometimes a health condition can turn your semen yellow.
Drinking orange or grapefruit juice that contains 100 percent fruit juice can provide the same benefits as consuming these fruits directly. For those who do not prefer drinking juice, adding fresh lemon juice to their water can also be an effective way to increase sperm count.
Human semen is composed of fluids from the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands which mix during ejaculation. The seminal vesicles contribute 70% of semen volume, which contains fructose as the main energy source for sperm.
An at home sperm test kit allows you to produce a sample to test for sperm count, concentration and quality at home, with very quick results. You'll receive your kit within 72 hours through free premium delivery in discreet packaging.
Top tips for planning a pregnancy for men
Quit smoking. Cut down your alcohol intake to no more than 3-4 units a day. Get tested for STIs (anyone who has had unprotected sex, even once, may have an STI). Lose weight if you have a high BMI (Body Mass Index).
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For men, some of these signs include a healthy sperm count, high-quality sperm that can swim quickly and easily, and a good balance of hormones. For women, good fertility indicators include regular ovulation, the presence of cervical mucus, and the regularity of menstrual cycles.
Infertility can feel alienating for a couple and for each individual partner. In reality, it affects many couples—about one in six couple in the United States. And it's not just a woman's issue. On average, 15% of men experience infertility.
The main symptom of infertility is the inability to get pregnant. A menstrual cycle that's too long (35 days or more), too short (less than 21 days), irregular or absent can mean that you're not ovulating. There might be no other signs or symptoms.
Lifestyle choices can lower sperm numbers. Smoking, drinking alcohol and taking certain drugs can lower sperm numbers. Other causes of low sperm numbers include long-term sickness (such as kidney failure), childhood infections (such as mumps) and chromosome or hormone problems (such as low testosterone).
Men can produce sperm throughout their lives, so there is no “male menopause” when men can't have children any longer. But that said, studies have shown that male fertility does decline with age. If a man is over age 45, it can take five times longer for he and his partner to conceive than if he was aged 25 or under.
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As well as affecting hormone levels, alcohol can inhibit the function of the testes, stopping sperm from developing properly and reducing the sperm's ability to move towards an egg. This happens because alcohol stops the liver from properly metabolising vitamin A, which is needed for sperm to develop.