How is Hypospermia Diagnosed?

Hypospermia is a medical condition in which a man has low ejaculate, or semen, expelled per ejaculation. According to WHO, if any man produces semen lower than 1.5 ml then he is suffering from Hypospermia.

Causes of Hypospermia

Most common factor that causes Hypospermia is an unhealthy lifestyle like smoking, consumption of alcohol, fast-food, high cholesterol foods, etc. Other factors like Retrograde Ejaculation, Ejaculatory Ducts Obstruction, Impairment of nerves, inadequate sex hormones, any previous surgeries, etc. can also cause Hypospermia.

Diagnosis of Hypospermia

If you notice a decrease in your ejaculate volume, then it’s better to consult a doctor as early as possible. The diagnosis of Hypospermia can be done in different ways, which will be suggested by your doctor. Diagnosis can also pinpoint the cause of this condition. Below given are the standard procedures used to diagnose Hypospermia:

Assessing a Patient’s Medical History

Firstly, the doctor will ask certain questions to understand your medical history clearly. You will be asked questions regarding:

• Your abstinence period, the method used to collect the semen and if you were able to discharge fully
• The comparison between the amount of semen collected and the amount ejected during intercourse.
• Your erection and orgasm to find out the psychogenic factors contributing to hyposepermia.
• Your urine color post ejaculation. If your urine is cloudy after ejaculation then it could be due to retrograde ejaculation.
• Whether you have undergone prostate surgery or have suffered from any neurological or spinal disease.
• Pains during ejaculation know as hermatospermia or infection which is linked to ejaculatory duct obstruction.

Physical Examination

At this stage of diagnosis, the doctor physically evaluates the external genitals to detect small testes volume, scrotal scars, varicocele and low mass of testicles. Palpation of vas deferens and digital rectal examination for assessment of prostatic and seminal vesicle pathology.

Semen Analysis

A semen analysis is done to determine any other underlying causes for this condition which includes, oligospermia, Azoospermia, pathological condition of seminal vesicle, varicocele and testes failure.

Post-ejaculate Urine Test

This test is usually done to detect retrograde ejaculation. You will be required to give a urine specimen followed by the normal semen collection. The sample is centrifuged and suspended in saline solution to determine the total sperm count and its concentration.