Spermiogram

Many couples start trying to have children only after a few years of being together. But often it is then not as easy as planned to turn this desire into reality. Sperm testing is an important piece of the puzzle in finding the cause. If the desire to have children becomes stronger and yet nothing happens, the initial looseness quickly gives way to compulsion and emotional tension – the pleasure of sex turns into frustration, the fun into obligation. For many women, an odyssey of examinations and therapies begins – everything possible is tried to get pregnant. But sometimes the man is forgotten. And that, although an examination of the sperm is quite simple and often reveals the cause.

Childlessness – first desired, later unwanted.

It is estimated that there are up to 1.5 million couples in Germany with an unfulfilled desire to have children. Older couples are particularly affected – above the age of 30, the risk of infertility and the likelihood of losing the child during pregnancy increase for both women and men. Whereas in a younger couple the probability of becoming pregnant without contraception is still 20-30% per cycle, in women between the ages of 25 and 33 it is only 18% and continues to decline rapidly thereafter. The proportion of unintentionally childless couples in the 35-39 age group is currently around 15% in the old federal states and – with an upward trend – 5% in the new federal states.

Reasons for involuntary childlessness are found in about equal numbers in men and women: in 40% of cases the cause lies with the man and the woman, respectively, and in about 20% obstacles to pregnancy are evident in both at the same time.

Causes of infertility

If pregnancy has not occurred in a couple after one, maximum two years of regular sexual intercourse, it is called infertility or sterility. The reasons are varied and include, in addition to lifestyle and age (especially of the woman), acute and chronic diseases and malformations in the man or woman. Psychological causes can aggravate the situation if necessary, but are rarely the sole reason.

  • In women, inflammation of the fallopian tubes or other organs of the abdomen – often caused by chlamydia – frequently leads to adhesions and occlusions and thus to infertility. Other common causes are hormonal disorders and endometriosis, that is, accumulation of endometrium outside the uterus.
  • Also in men, inflammation of, for example, the draining seminal ducts or their closure after mumps, a venereal disease or an injury are possible culprits that can lead to transport disorders of sperm cells. Varicose veins of the testicle can lead to its overheating and thus to changes in the sperm cells. Other causes are hormonal disturbances and potency disorders. Environmental influences are also discussed to cause change in sperm; in particular, smoking, too much alcohol and stress are held responsible.