Nearly 1 out of every 6 couples struggles with infertility, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Male infertility contributes to nearly half of all couples who are diagnosed as infertile. While the diagnosis of infertile is automatically given to couples who do not get pregnant within a year of trying, it does not mean that you cannot get pregnant if your husband has problems with infertility. Fertility treatments can help you conceive and your husband's doctor can help determine what the problem is.
Step 1
Observe your husband's scrotum and testicles. Swollen veins and testicles can create abnormal sperm and may contribute to infertility.
Step 2
Discuss pre-existing illnesses and medical conditions with your husband. Make a list of any health problems your husband currently has or has had in the past to go over with his doctor. Include information on lifestyle habits, such as smoking, drinking or drug use, and exposure to chemicals or toxins.
Step 3
Make an appointment for your husband to see your family doctor for a standard medical checkup and physical examination. Your family doctor can help your husband determine whether he needs further testing or needs to see a fertility specialist.
Step 4
Talk with your husband and your husband's doctor about additional testing regarding infertility. Doctors can perform a semen analysis to measure the number of sperm in your husband's ejaculate and test the sperm for abnormalities and infections, explains the Mayo Clinic. Other testing may include blood tests to measure male hormones; ultrasound images of your husband's scrotum and testicles to check for problems; and post-ejaculate urinalysis, a test that checks urine for sperm after ejaculation to make sure that your husband's sperm are not moving back into the bladder instead of out of his penis when he orgasms.
Tips and Warnings
- Support your husband as he goes through medical testing for infertility. While not being able to conceive can be frustrating and disappointing, offering loving support to your spouse can make the process easier for both of you.
