Fertility Guide for Male Patients

If you are unsure of the current status of your fertility we suggest arranging an appointment for a Male Fertility Assessment. You can arrange an appointment through our online booking system or by calling the clinic directly at 0161 300 2730.

After you have had a Male Fertility Assessment, your doctor may recommend using donor sperm for treatments such as IVF. Using a donor sperm for treatment is a choice only you can make. You may find your decision is influenced by your personal, religious or familial values.

If you agree to treatment using donor sperm it will be sourced through our fully-regulated, state of the art, on-site cryobank. Rest-assured that any sperm donor we have received a doantion from will have been fully-screened for hereditary conditions and other health concerns that may affect any child born from that donation. 

If you are concerned about using a sperm donor, or you find the process distressig in any way, our specialist fertility counsellors will be there to support you through every step of your journey. 

Azoospermia is the medical term used when there are no sperm in the ejaculate. It can be “obstructive,” where there is a blockage preventing sperm from entering the ejaculate, or it can be “nonobstructive” when it is due to decreased sperm production by the testis.

Your sperm health is heavily influenced by your lifestyle and factors like drinking alcohol, avoiding exercise and smoking can all have a negative impact.

Exercise Regularly - or lead a more active lifestyle. Walking daily or visiting the gym are the easiest ways to achieve this. But exercise is exercise, find a way to keep fit that you enjoy!

• Avoid Excess Stress - and spend time doing the things you love. See your friends, read a book or better manage your work-life balance to combat stress.
• Limit Your Alcohol Intake - as it may reduce testosterone levels and impair semen quality!
• Maintain a Healthy Sleep Schedule - try setting a routine that works for you, avoid using your phone before bed and create a restful environment to sleep in.
• Consider Supplements - if you're concerned about your fertility your healthcare provider will be able to recommend suitable supplements.
• Avoid Smoking - as it can lead to DNA damage in sperm, try quitting at least three months before you attempt to conceive.

Fertility preservation is an option many men may consider, but it is most suitable for:

• Those who are diagnosed with cancer, or another serious condition, at a young age
• Someone who expects to have a toxic treatment or surgery relating to an illness or injury
• Men who have an autoimmune, hormone or genetic disorder
• Men who want to preserve healthy sperm in hopes of starting a family later in life
• Soemone who engages in high-risk work, such as public responders or those on active military deployment
• A man who has a low sperm count or poor sperm health that is progressively worsening
• Those who have a condition where sperm production or transport out of the body may change at some point in his life

Most often, sperm is collected with masturbation. The sample is collected in a clean dish, privately, in room near the laboratory. If the sample is gathered at home or some place else, it must be delivered within 1 hour.

If needed, sperm can be collected surgically through a process called Surgical Sperm Retrieval (SSR).

Sperm can be stored in a frozen state for many years. Freezing and thawing does change the sperms quality. Banking sperm before cancer treatment can allow a teenager or young adult to become a father when he is ready. Men who have a vasectomy may choose sperm banking as option to father a child if his life changes.

Yes, you can. If you relocate and wish to move your sperm to a local sperm bank you can pay to have your semen sample transported to a new facility.