Male fertility test in Goa: what each test shows and when it is needed
Part of our guide to male infertility treatment in Goa.
The male fertility test in Goa begins with a semen analysis, which shows how many sperm there are, how well they swim and how they are shaped. A low result is checked again with a repeat test. Hormone tests, a scrotal ultrasound or a sperm DNA test are added only when the doctor advises them.
Male fertility is checked at the same time as the wife's tests, not after them, because a male factor is common and the tests are quick and painless. This page explains what each male test shows and why it may be asked for. The full list of tests for both partners is on our page about fertility tests for couples, and the laboratory that runs them is described on our fertility laboratory page.
What does a semen analysis show?
The semen analysis is the foundation of every male fertility work-up. A fresh sample is examined under the microscope, and the report gives:
- Volume: the amount of semen. A very small amount may mean part of the sample was missed, or now and then points to a blockage.
- Sperm count: how many sperm there are per millilitre and in the whole sample.
- Motility: what share of sperm are moving, and how many move forward. Forward-moving sperm are the ones most likely to reach the egg.
- Morphology: what share of sperm have a normal shape.
- Other lines: liquefaction, pH, pus cells and clumping, which can hint at an infection or a blockage.
Each value is compared with WHO reference values. What each line on the printed report means, and the medical words used for low results, are explained on our page on the semen analysis report.
Why is a second semen test often needed?
One semen report is a snapshot. The count and motility vary from one sample to the next, even in healthy men. Sperm take about two to three months to form, so a fever, heat, an illness or some medicines in that period can lower a result for a while. A short or long abstinence before the test can also change it. So if a result is outside the reference values, a repeat test is usually advised, often after a few weeks, or after about three months following a fever.
When no sperm are seen at all, the lab spins the sample down and examines what settles at the bottom before the report says azoospermia. A confirmed absence of sperm leads to further tests, and our page on male infertility explains the causes and the treatment paths.
What do the male hormone tests show?
Hormone blood tests are not part of every male work-up. They are advised mainly when the count is low or nil, or when the history or examination suggests a hormone problem.
- FSH: shows how hard the brain is pushing the testes to make sperm. A raised FSH can mean the testes are not responding well; a low FSH can point to a signalling problem from the brain.
- LH and testosterone: LH tells the testes to make testosterone, so the two are read together. Testosterone is usually checked in the morning, when it is highest.
- Prolactin: checked in some men, for example when testosterone is low or sex drive is reduced.
FSH and LH are also tested in women, where they mean different things; see our page on FSH, LH and oestradiol test meaning. Do not take testosterone or muscle-building products on your own, as they can switch off sperm production.
What does a scrotal ultrasound show?
A scrotal ultrasound is a painless scan of the testes and the tubes beside them. The doctor advises it when something is felt on examination or the report raises a question. It shows the size and texture of the testes, swollen veins above the testis called a varicocele, cysts, and signs of a blockage. No preparation is needed.
When is a sperm DNA fragmentation test done?
A semen analysis cannot see the genetic material carried inside each sperm. The DNA fragmentation test measures how much of it is broken. It is not a routine first test. It is considered in selected cases: repeated miscarriage, repeated failed IUI or IVF, or when the usual tests of both partners are normal but pregnancy has not happened. In a few men with no sperm or a very low count, genetic blood tests may also be advised.
How should I prepare for a semen analysis?
- Abstinence: two to seven days without ejaculation, or the gap the lab gives you.
- Where: the sample is usually given at the laboratory, in a private room, so that it is examined soon after it is produced. If you wish to collect it at home, ask the lab first: it has to reach the lab within about an hour, kept warm, neither cold nor hot.
- How: by masturbation into the sterile container the lab gives you. Collect the whole sample and use no oil, soap or lubricant.
- Tell the lab: about any fever or illness in the last three months, any medicines, and any part of the sample that was missed.
How soon is the report ready?
Routine blood tests, including hormone tests, run on automated analysers in the fertility laboratory in Goa, which is open 24 hours, every day, and quality-control samples with known values are run every day before patient reports are released. Most routine reports are usually ready within hours; tests sent to a partner laboratory take longer. Ask the lab when your report will be ready.
What happens after the male fertility test?
The fertility team reads the male results next to the wife's age and tests and the time the couple has been trying. A result inside the reference values does not promise a pregnancy, and a result below them does not rule one out. Some men need only lifestyle advice, such as stopping smoking and keeping the testes away from heat. A treatable cause, such as an infection or a hormone problem, is dealt with first. A mild fall in count or motility may lead to IUI. A very low count usually points towards IVF with ICSI; see our page on ICSI for a very low sperm count. Please bring all your reports to your appointment and do not start any medicine because of one value.
To arrange a semen analysis or a blood test, use the Call Lab button on this page. APPOINTMENTS ARE COMPULSORY FOR DOCTOR CONSULTATION.
Questions about the male fertility test
What is the first male fertility test?
A semen analysis. It shows the volume of semen and the count, movement and shape of sperm. Other tests, such as hormone tests, a scrotal ultrasound or a sperm DNA test, are added only when the doctor advises them.
Is one semen analysis enough?
Often not. Results vary from sample to sample, and a recent fever or illness can lower them for a while. If the first report is outside the WHO reference values, a repeat test is usually advised before any decision is made.
How many days of abstinence are needed before a semen test?
Two to seven days without ejaculation, or the gap the lab gives you. A gap that is too short or too long can change the result.
Do all men need hormone tests for fertility?
No. FSH, LH, testosterone and prolactin are checked mainly when the sperm count is low or nil, or when the history or examination suggests a hormone problem. The doctor decides which ones you need.
When is a sperm DNA fragmentation test useful?
In selected cases, such as repeated miscarriage, repeated failed IUI or IVF, or when the usual tests of both partners are normal but pregnancy has not happened. It is not a routine first test.
Where can I get a male fertility test in Goa?
The semen analysis, the sperm DNA fragmentation test and the FSH and LH hormone tests are run in-house in our fertility laboratory in Goa, which is open 24 hours, every day. Use the Call Lab button on this page to arrange the test and ask how to prepare.
Your visit is confidential — nothing about you appears on this website or on social media.
What you read here explains fertility care in general terms and cannot replace a consultation. Decisions about your own care should be made with a doctor who knows your history and has seen you. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind, which is prohibited by law in India under the PCPNDT Act.