The dream of having a child can often be interrupted by a problem, whether with the woman or the man. This has been a cause for much worry and even despair for many couples, but with all the advances in medicine, it is now possible to face this situation with a bit more calm and patience these days. It is known that female factors are the ones most often affected and, for this reason, women tend to worry more when the couple is trying to get pregnant. On the other hand, we cannot dismiss that there are also exclusively male factors that can prevent fertilization from happening. If there are these suspicions, you need to know how to convince your husband to do fertility tests to be sure of the source of the problem and, from there, find solutions for it. Of course, this is a decision that must be made by both partners, but it is also important that both the woman and the man are committed to fertility testing so that the dream of having a child and starting a family can come true. And before we get to the main topic of this article, we first need to talk about male fertility tests and how they are done.
Male Fertility Tests
There are several types of tests that can be done to assess male fertility. Not all of them are always needed to reach a conclusion, but a doctor may even ask for them to be repeated, depending on the results of each one. The main male fertility tests are:
- Clinical Exam
- Semen Analysis
- Testicular Biopsy
- Testicular Ultrasound
- Hormone Level Test
Let’s talk about how each one of them works so that you can better understand how they can help.
Clinical Exam
This is generally the first test done by a urologist when a man comes in for a consultation. During the clinical exam, various aspects of the man’s health are also assessed, as this can also influence infertility. In this exam, the doctor assesses the size of the testicles and checks for any type of inflammation or other problems. It is after the clinical exam that the doctor may request the other tests.
Semen Analysis
This is one of the best known tests for men and also one of the simplest to perform. It consists of a clinical analysis of the man’s sperm. He must ejaculate into a container, where these cells are collected and analyzed by a laboratory. The sperm count in the ejaculate fluid can indicate signs of good fertility or male infertility.
Testicular Biopsy
When a man has no gametes in his semen, the doctor will likely order a testicular biopsy. This is a minor surgical procedure that is simple and risk-free, collecting sperm directly from the testicle for examination under a microscope to determine whether the problem lies at the source of production or along the pathway.
Testicular Ultrasound
In this exam, it is possible to obtain more detailed images of the entire scrotal area. With it, a doctor can identify various problems a man may have that may affect his fertility, such as cysts and nodules, for example.
Hormone Level Test
When there is a problem with a man’s hormone production, this can end up affecting his fertility, and for this reason, a doctor may request a hormone level test. Usually the following tests are done:
- Testosterone and free testosterone levels
- Prolactin level
- LH (luteinizing hormone) level
- DHT (dihydrotestosterone) level
It is important to remember that hormone levels can vary greatly from person to person and depend on factors such as age, weight, and even each individual’s lifestyle habits. 
Tips on How to Convince Your Husband to Do Fertility Tests
Now that you know how all of them work, there are some ways to convince your husband to do fertility testing. Here are a few tips on how to bring up the subject without distancing or scaring him, helping him feel safe and comfortable. Identify why he does not feel comfortable doing this kind of test and think of ways to counter his arguments. You will certainly not find it hard to come up with arguments with the tips we provide below.
Explain How the Tests Work
As you could see here, the tests are actually fairly simple in general. A man’s head can often be filled with myths or beliefs that are not true about this kind of test. Try to show him that there is nothing to be afraid of, that they are painless and easy to perform.
Talk About Their Importance to You
Love should come first. And if it’s a shared plan, the man’s tests are also very important for the woman. Argue how his commitment to the plan to have a child is important to you. Explain that both the man and woman have an extremely important role in this process, and that him doing his part means a lot to you. Telling him that responsibility lies with both of you will help him understand how important this is.
Help Him Feel Safe
If you have already taken your tests, it’s a great example to show your husband that there’s nothing to be afraid of. Encouraging him to research how these tests are performed is a great alternative. This way he will realize there are no risks and break many of the unrealistic beliefs he may have about these exams. Many times the biggest block is in the man’s own mind, and helping him realize this will also make him feel safer about his body and the tests. The couple needs to understand that infertility is a problem for both, even if only one partner has difficulty getting pregnant. Mutual support and partnership are needed so that the couple can seek all possible solutions to this problem. Remember, this happens with many couples—especially because, as we have mentioned, human fertility is relatively low, which means it is common for issues like this to arise. Follow medical advice and never lose the mutual support as a couple, as this is the most important thing to help you get through this phase together and grow stronger. Also See: Azoospermia: What It Is, Causes and Treatments Photo: sciencefreak
