Just as in females, male sexuality and fertility is a complex interplay of various hormone systems in our body and our nervous system. They influence health and activity of structural elements of sexual organs like testes, ejaculatory ducts epididymus and sperm production and penile erection and ejaculation. For example, LH and FSH is produced from pituitary gland and help testes produce sperm and male hormone called testosterone.
The production of testosterone within the testis is needed to enhance sperm maturation, give male sexual characteristics and masculinity. Testosterone is important in enhancing male sexual desire or pleasure. Hence, any imbalance in sex hormones and other hormones will affect sperm development and maturation, fertility and sexual pressure and lack of energy. For example, lack of testosterone causes low sperm count, erection failure, impotence or reduced desire to have sex and lack of energy.
Male infertility testing involves 2 main tests: hormonal testing and semen analysis. Testosterone and the pituitary hormones, FSH follicle stimulating hormone and LH luteinising hormone circulate in the blood stream and can be easily measured by taking a blood sample to check if hormonal problems are a possible cause of infertility.
Your doctor will often request test for thyroid, prolactin and cortisol hormones depending on your clinic situation. Sex Hormone tests are measured from a small sample of blood taken in the arm.
A small blood sample of about mls is taken. No special preparation is required. Often this is done together with other basic chemistry tests including kidney, liver, diabetes, gout, calcium and cholesterol.
