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How To Get Best Sperm Sample For IVF

How To Get Best Sperm Sample For IVF

The best sperm sample for IVF (In vitro fertilization) is as essential as good egg quality to make the treatment successful.

Normally, sperm samples are collected via masturbation. There are surgical procedures available too for azoospermic men. Either way, the sperm sample has to be collected in a way that makes it eligible for fertilization.

In this article, we’ll see about the ways that help collect the best sperm samples and the options available to collect sperm through minor surgeries.

Steps for Sperm Collection

Sperm samples can either be collected at home and submitted to the hospital or collected at the hospital itself.

If you are collecting the sample at home, make sure to drop the semen sample within an hour at the hospital. Also, make sure to carry the sample at room temperature. Sperm do not do well at too high or too low temperatures.

The steps to collect semen at home or in a hospital are more or less the same.

1. Wash your hands and penis with clean water. Do not use soap or other chemicals, as they can get mixed with the semen and harm the sperm.

2. Find a creative way to turn yourself on. Do not use any toys, gadgets, lubricants, or saliva unless otherwise directed by the doctor.

3. Use a clean and toxic-free container to collect the semen. Avoid glass containers too. Sterile containers provided by your hospital are preferable.

4. Close the container immediately after ejaculation of sperm into it. Do not touch or scoop in any spilled semen to prevent infections.

5. Keep the semen container at room temperature and provide it to the hospital within an hour.

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Tips for Providing the Best Sperm Sample

Certain tips to help you provide the best sperm samples:

  • Abstain from sex 2 to 5 days before the day of semen retrieval. But do not stay abstinent longer than 7 days. This is because sperm ejaculated after two days of abstinence have high motility. Semen released after longer days of abstinence have more old sperm with a decreased life range.
  • Quit smoking, alcohol, and drugs days or at least a month before the semen retrieval process.
  • Avoid touching the inside of the semen-collecting container or infecting the sample through any way of contact.
  • Avoid condoms as they contain spermicidal components that destroy sperm.

Sperm Retrieval Procedures

Men with blockage, azoospermia, and other ejaculation problems can opt for sperm retrieval procedures. The procedures are simple and executed within 10-15 minutes.  The sperm is aspirated using a needle with no incisions required.

Some of the sperm retrieval procedures include:

  • TESA- Testicular Sperm Aspiration 
  • PESA- Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration 
  • TESE- Testicular Sperm Extraction 
  • MESA- Microepididymal Sperm Aspiration
  • microTESE- Microdissection TESE 

Tips to Optimize Sperm Health

The motility and morphological characteristics of the sperm determine the quality of sperm. Quality sperm over quantity of sperm is preferred most of the time. Yet, a high concentration of sperm in the semen is also preferred

To increase the quality and quantity of sperm you can include the following life habits:

  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat a balanced diet
  • Stay hydrated
  • Have adequate sleep
  • Avoid hot baths
  • Be stress-free
  • Avoid smoking, alcoholism, or other drug abuse
  • Take appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements

Sperm Retrieval Procedures

Men with blockage, azoospermia, and other ejaculation problems can opt for sperm retrieval procedures. The procedures are simple and executed within 10-15 minutes.  The sperm is aspirated using a needle with no incisions required.

Some of the sperm retrieval procedures include:

  • TESA- Testicular Sperm Aspiration 
  • PESA- Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration 
  • TESE- Testicular Sperm Extraction 
  • MESA- Microepididymal Sperm Aspiration
  • microTESE- Microdissection TESE

Tips to Optimize Sperm Health

The motility and morphological characteristics of the sperm determine the quality of sperm. Quality sperm over quantity of sperm is preferred most of the time. Yet, a high concentration of sperm in the semen is also preferred

To increase the quality and quantity of sperm you can include the following life habits:

  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat a balanced diet
  • Stay hydrated
  • Have adequate sleep
  • Avoid hot baths
  • Be stress-free
  • Avoid smoking, alcoholism, or other drug abuse
  • Take appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements

Conclusion

Most men consider the sperm collection part of the IVF process to be embarrassing and discomforting. This is understandable because you are demanded to do something that is normally private. But also remember, that this is science and your activity is part of a scientific method to achieve pregnancy.

Being stubborn and reluctant to accept fertility issues and treatment will only obstruct your dream of parenthood, unfortunately.

IVF is nothing to be ashamed of. Take part in the semen retrieval process with the necessary preparations and get the best sperm sample for IVF.

If you find any difficulty in getting or collecting a good sample of sperm for IVF, contact a fertility specialist.

FAQs

Can I collect a sperm sample at home?

Yes, you can collect sperm samples at home. But ensure to collect the semen as directed by a proper sperm retrieval procedure and provide it to the hospital within an hour.

Are there supplements to boost sperm quality?

Yes, there are supplements available to boost sperm quality. You can take zinc, folic acid, and vitamin D supplements on prescription from your physician.

Does sperm quality affect IVF success?

Yes, quality sperm is as essential as a quality egg. In case of low sperm quality, you can adopt advanced fertility procedures like ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) to enhance pregnancy success.

Are sperm retrieval processes risky?

Sperm retrieval processes are usually safe. Yet risks such as infection, bleeding, and pain are there.

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Dr Niveditha

Dr. Niveditha is the co-founder of The Hive Fertility and Research Centre. She is a young and passionate fertility expert who aims to provide high-quality fertility treatments to her patients. During her 10+ years of service as a fertility expert, she has helped several hundreds of patients overcome their infertility and become parents. She also specializes in the fields of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive endocrinology

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