Most couples don’t conceive right away — in fact, it takes about a year, on average. However, if you and your partner have been trying for longer without success, underlying conditions may be the culprit. An at-home fertility test can help you tell if there’s cause for concern.
Problems With Sexual Function
Sexual function issues are one of the most common signs of infertility. It can take several forms:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Low sex drive
- Difficulty ejaculating
Pinpointing the exact cause can be difficult, as there are many contributing factors:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Low testosterone
- Heart disease
- Clogged blood vessels
- Sleep disorders
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Tobacco and alcohol use
- Obesity
- Side effects from prescriptions
As a result, it’s important to discuss the issue with a doctor, as sexual dysfunction may be a symptom of a serious health condition.
Relationship problems can also affect arousal. Stress from unsuccessful attempts to conceive can interfere with a person’s ability to maintain an erection, so seeking professional help with your relationship may improve fertility.
Of course, there are other, less obvious signs of a fertility issue. For example, an imbalance in testosterone, luteinizing hormones, or follicle-stimulating hormones can negatively impact sperm production. Loss of body or facial hair may signal a hormonal condition; a chronic lack of sexual desire may also signify hormonal changes.
The testicles can also indicate if there’s an unaddressed health problem. For example, overly firm, small, or swollen testicles are abnormal and require a medical examination. People with testicles should also talk to their doctors if they experience testicular pain.
Testing for Fertility at Home
An at home male fertility test lets you assess for infertility in the privacy of your own home. These kits come with everything you need to prepare a sample, including detailed instructions.
One thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need a bit of preparation for an accurate assessment. As a result, most companies recommend that you abstain from ejaculation or sex for at least two days before producing a sample, though you may need to wait as long as five days.
Most at-home tests measure sperm count, which is how much sperm a millimeter of semen contains. The range is vast — a high sperm count can reach over 200 million. However, the medical community considers anything under 15 million normal. If your semen analysis is lower, you may struggle to conceive.
Of course, the number of sperm isn’t the only factor affecting fertility. You may have a high percentage of sperm with deformed or multiple tails, making it impossible for them to reach the egg. Some at-home test companies also look at the number of motile sperm to better understand how many are capable of fertilization.
The path to fertility can be difficult, but once you identify the issue, you can work on solutions. You and your partner are on this journey together, so whether you’re learning how to help implantation or making lifestyle changes to improve sperm count, you have support every step of the way. The route toward growing your family may take some twists and turns, but there are resources to help you out.