When a husband and wife try continuously to have a child but are not successful in 1 year, the question that usually follows is where the examination should begin. In medicine, the assessment of the state of difficulty in having a child on the side of the man should begin alongside the side of the woman, not wait to be last in order, because factors on the side of the man have a significant role in a proportion that is close to the same
This article explains the order of assessment that is standard for the side of the man, so that the husband and wife understand what an examination complete in every dimension consists of, and so that the decision at the next step rests on the foundation of clear information
Why the examination of the side of the man should begin alongside the side of the woman
Clinically, the factors that make a husband and wife have difficulty in having a child may come from the side of the man, the side of the woman, or arise from joint factors, in proportions that are close to the same. Assessing the side of the man from the first stage therefore helps the physician see the overall picture faster, and be able to design an approach to care that is suitable, without losing time waiting for the result of one side or the other first
The order of examination that is standard
1. The examination of the history and the clinical assessment
The first step consists of asking about the medical history, the sexual history, and the risk factors of behaviour, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, the quality of rest, and the environment at work
Besides this, the physician assesses the physical state of the testicles, and assesses the muscles of the pelvic floor, in order to search for preliminary abnormalities that may be connected with the state of difficulty in having a child on the side of the man
2. The examination and analysis of the semen (Semen Analysis)
The examination of the semen is one of the examinations that gives the most important information in the assessment of the side of the man. At PYONG MEN, the technology AI-Assisted Semen Analysis is used in order to assess the density of the sperm, the movement (Kinematics), and the shape of the sperm (Dysmorphology) at the level of the micrometre, which gives more detail than reading with the naked eye
3. The examination by ultrasound of the testicles (Scrotal Doppler Ultrasound)
Scanning with high-resolution Scrotal Doppler Ultrasound helps assess the structure of the testicles and the system of blood circulation in that area, in order to search for the state of Varicocele or abnormalities of the tissue, which may be a factor that affects the process of creating sperm
4. The examination of the level of the hormones (Comprehensive Endocrine Panel)
The examination of the level of the male hormone and of the hormones connected with it helps the physician see the overall picture of the hormone system that controls the creation of sperm and sexual capability overall. A state of hormone deficiency may have an effect on the health of the male sex in several dimensions, so it is another important part of an assessment that is complete
5. The joint assessment of sexual capability
In some individuals, a state of weakened sexual capability or a state of early ejaculation may reduce the chance of pregnancy, even though the quality of the sperm is not abnormal. The assessment in this respect helps the plan of care cover every factor that may be connected with the chance of having a child
The risk factors that should be brought in for joint assessment
Besides the results of the examination clinically, factors of behaviour and of the environment also have a significant role in the quality of the sperm. The factors that should be considered are smoking, drinking alcohol, the quality of sleep, a state of body weight above the standard, underlying diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure, and working in an environment that has high heat for a long time
The approach after the assessment
The results of the assessment are brought in to be considered together, in order to set the approach to care that suits each individual. In some cases, it may not yet be necessary to carry out a procedure or specialised care immediately, but it may begin from adjusting the factors of behaviour together with following the results
In a case where factors are found that need clinical care, the physician designs a plan of care specific to the individual, which is generally in a period of 2–3 months, in order to correspond with the cycle of creating sperm
The approach to care at PYONG MEN
At PYONG MEN, the plan of care for a man who has the state of difficulty in having a child is designed according to the results of the assessment specific to the individual. The approaches that may be considered consist of the injection of a biological substance extracted at high concentration (Superdose Activated Purified Growth Factor) in order to support the creation of new capillary blood vessels in the reproductive system, the technology Transrectal QMR and focused shock waves in order to restore the cells and the circulation of the blood in the area concerned, as well as a programme of restoring the pelvic floor
The carrying out in each individual depends on the medical assessment specific to the individual, so that the plan of care corresponds as closely as possible with the cause and the context of the husband and wife
In short summary
- When trying to have a child for 1 year without success, the man should begin the examination alongside the woman
- The order of examination that is standard consists of the assessment of the history, the examination of the semen, the ultrasound of the testicles, the examination of the hormones, and the joint assessment of sexual capability
- The technology AI-Assisted Semen Analysis gives detail deeper than examination with the naked eye
- Factors of behaviour and of the environment have a joint role that should be considered
- The plan of care is generally in a period of 2–3 months, corresponding with the cycle of creating sperm
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. Must a full 1 year be waited for before an examination is made? Clinically, 1 year is the general standard, but if there are clear risk factors, such as the age of the female spouse being higher, or there being a state of health that may have an effect on the state of fertility, the examination should begin sooner than 1 year
2. How must the man prepare himself before the examination of the semen? Generally, the physician recommends refraining from the ejaculation of sperm for about 2–7 days before the examination, so that the result of the assessment reflects the situation accurately. The specific recommendation is under the consultation given by the physician
3. If the result of the examination of the semen is normal, does it mean that the man has no problem? Not always. The examination of the semen is only one of the several dimensions of the assessment. In some individuals there may be other factors that must be assessed in addition
4. How long does the examination at PYONG MEN take? The first assessment can generally be carried out in a single visit. The results of the examination of the semen and of the hormones are followed up according to the round that the physician sets
5. If the examination finds an abnormality, what is the next step? The physician considers the results of the examination together with the context of each individual, and designs a plan of care that is suitable, which may include adjusting the factors of behaviour, additional assessment, or an approach to care clinically