What is the andro-test?
andro-test is the semen analysis for Men’s Health checkup following the SPERMLAB’s Criteria. This test can tell a man whether his genital tract is healthy, not only whether his semen is able to fertilize. It is the basic test in the Annual Andrological Checkup, correspondingly to the well known Pap-test.
Which is the difference between andro-test and spermiogram?
The spermiogram only describes the fertilizing ability of semen, while the andro-test describes the overall health condition of a man’s urogenital system and the fertilizing ability of semen, i.e. it is much more than just a fertility test.
Unlike the spermiogram, an andro-test can tell a teenager whether he has a urogenital tract infection or even an old man whether his prostate is healthy.
Regardless of the fact that the World Health Organization publishes guidelines on how to perform a spermiogram, the laboratories rarely conform to them. On the contrary, an andro-test can only be performed by certified Spermatology laboratories and only by accredited biologists, conditions that ensure the examinee and the physician about the quality and reliability of the results.
How much does an andro-test cost?
An andro-test costs 70 euro.
Where is this test based on?
The semen is composed by the secretions of many glands, mainly by those of the testicles, the epididymides, the seminiferous tubules and the prostate. If any of these organs does not function properly, this will be “registered” in the semen analysis, provided that the appropriate criteria are implemented (the SPERMLAB’s Criteria). These criteria set the prerequisites for a correct semen analysis and include the description of parameters that are not provided in a spermiogram.
Which are the SPERMLAB’s Criteria?
The SPERMLAB’s Criteria The SPERMLAB’s Criteria have been described in 2018 by Georgios Voulgaridis in order to develop a test for the preventive check of Men’s Health. Obviously, the reliability of any exam depends mainly on whether the appropriate conditions are fulfilled BEFORE, DURING and AFTER the exam. Therefore, the examinee shall follow some guidelines, the laboratory shall be properly equipped, its staff shall have specialized training and, finally, the physician shall have competent knowledge that permits him to interpret the results correctly, conclude to a correct diagnosis and recommend the proper treatment, whenever it is needed.
The SPERMLAB’s Criteria are the rules for the correct assessment of a man’s health through the analysis of his semen.
Read more here.
Where can I have an andro-test?
You can have an andro-test (in contrast to the commonly used ‘spermiogram’) only at SPERMLAB or a Spermatology laboratory certified by the Association of Spermatology.
A semen analysis in general shall be performed only by specialized Spermatology laboratories. By our experience, non specialized laboratories use to underestimate the sperm motility and overestimate the sperm morphology. Studies all over the World show that the reasons why non-specialized laboratories commit mistakes in a semen analysis derive from the fact that they lack proper equipment and training. Finally, analyses from laboratories operating inside a gynaecological unit (IVF clinic) are usually incomplete. The studies show that this is due to lack of interest, since in these laboratories an analysis of semen is performed in order to decide whether the semen is appropriate for intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The andro-test is performed only by laboratories certified of having sufficient training and equipment, conforming to good practices and assessing semen correctly.
Semen presents significant fluctuations. This is why the urologist may ask to repeat an andro-test, at least after a treatment. Every man shall consult his urologist for the interpretation of a semen analysis, the diagnosis and the eventual treatment.
Do I need an andro-test?
Men rarely present symptoms when their genital tract is not healthy. This is why the regular preventive checkup, at least by having an andro-test, is even more important for them than the Pap-test for women. Indeed, any change in the duration or frequency of the menstruation, a change in colour or consistence of the vaginal secretions, prompt a woman to consult her gynaecologist. Furthermore, women usually present irritation at the genital area each time they have an infection, while men are usually asymptomatic. Nonetheless, women have been taught to visit their gynaecologist preventively every year, whether they have symptoms or not. On the contrary, although men do not present symptoms, they do not usually visit a urologist preventively.
Weak semen can be improved. A reliable semen analysis (andro-test) performed by a Spermatology laboratory will lead the diagnosis and help the urologist recommend the proper treatment.
Quite often, it is just an inflammation that causes low sperm count, low sperm motility or abnormal morphology. This inflammation might be due to a bacterial infection. The causes of a weak semen may also be the presence of a varicocele, a hormonal disorder or any other pathological condition. Only the urologist is competent to make the diagnosis and give advice for the proper treatment.
andro-test vs PSA?
PSA is only one of the substances secreted by the prostate gland. It could be compared to a biochemical index of semen. It is the enzyme that liquefies semen. Recent studies have shown that even when PSA’s value is inside the physiological range, it is not sure that the prostate is healthy. An andro-test checks, apart from the semen liquefaction, the volume, the alkalinity and other characteristics of the prostatic liquid. Therefore, it provides us with a more complete assessment of the functionality of this gland.
When do I need it?
At least, every time your female partner presents symptoms of a urogenital tract infection, because, an infection rarely presents symptoms in men. The andro-test will show whether your genital tract is healthy.
It is recommended to have an andro-test at least once a year, already by adolescence. Furthermore, the andro-test can inform a man over 50 years old whether his prostate is healthy, in a better way than PSA, since, in andro-test, the functionality of the prostate is assessed by many more parameters.
Semen presents significant fluctuations. This is why the urologist may ask to repeat an andro-test, at least after a treatment.
Can I check my semen by myself? ..and how?
Men can perceive whether there is something wrong with their genital tract by observing some simple characteristics of their semen.
After a 2-4 days’ abstinence, semen volume shall not be smaller than the volume of a hazelnut nor bigger than the volume of a cherry. The seminal liquid shall not be watery, transparent, red or brown and shall not contain gels that dissolve later than 30min. from ejaculation.
However, it is very important that men have an andro-test regularly because, although semen volume, viscosity and colour may be normal, other characteristics, whose assessment requires special laboratory equipment and training, may be abnormal.
Read more about the Semen Self-Exam here.
Which are the prerequisites?
What you need to know before planning an andro-test:
You should not have an ejaculation for 2-4 days, but you should have regular ejaculation during the days preceding this abstinence. Therefore, it is recommended that you have had at least 2 ejaculations during the week before the previously mentioned abstinence. For example, if you have planned a semen analysis andro-test on the 23rd day of the month, your last ejaculation shall be between the 19th and the 21st day of the month, but you shall have at least 2 ejaculations during the week before the 19th day of the month. You should neither have taken any antibiotics nor have had any febrile episodes during the last month.
What you need to know for the sample collection:
You should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and rinse the penis only with water prior to sample collection. The penis shall not have vaginal secretions or saliva. Collect the semen in a sterile urine cup (ask for one in a pharmacy) and be careful not to lose any drops, especially the first ones. However, if it happens, please report the loss, as the analysis must be postponed. Only one ejaculation is sufficient for the analysis of sperm. If you ejaculate more times, you will negatively influence the reliability of the results.
We recommended that you collect the sample in our facilities, in SPERMLAB, in a comfortable and discreet room, where you are allowed to enter with your partner. If you wish to collect the semen sample at home, remember that it must not contain vaginal secretions or saliva, because these will negatively influence the results, and remember that you mus have your identity document at the delivery of the semen sample.
Which is the procedure?
For andro-test you shall collect a semen sample.
You will collect the sample in a comfortable and discreet room, where you are allowed to enter with your partner. See the collection room here and learn more about your visit at SPERMLAB.
If you prefer to collect the semen at your place, you shall deliver it to the laboratory not later than in 30min from collection.
Make an appointment:
Call us in order to make an appointment that will be comfortable for you and let us answer to your questions at Τ. +30 210 9227515 or simply click on here and we will reply at your e-mail as soon as possible.
Which doctor shall I consult?
Every man shall consult his UROLOGIST for the diagnosis and treatment.
It is very important to consult an urologist. We already have enough cases of “weak semen”, where the gynaecologist had advised the couple to proceed to an IVF treatment, but the asthenozoospermia was due to cancer in the testicles. Fortunately, these cases are very rare, since asthenozoospermia is usually due to an infection and the urologist will improve semen by simply prescribing an antibiotic treatment. However, each case differs and the semen analysis (andro-test) is not sufficient in order to make the diagnosis. The urologist is the only doctor competent to consult a man.
How to improve semen quality
Do not use nutritional supplements for the improvement of semen, unless your urologist recommends them. It must be clear that nutritional supplements cannot not cure a weak semen, they just support recovery after a real treatment. These supplements do not provide a substantial improvement, while they may also expose your health to serious risks. For example, the cause of weak semen may be the presence of an infection or a cancer of the testicles, obviously not treatable by supplements.
There are several treatments for improving semen. However, you must first have an andro-test or a semen analysis in a certified Spermatology laboratory and consult an urologist, who may ask for further exams in order to advise for the proper treatment.
Do medications for erectile dysfunction negatively affect semen?
The medications for the treatment of erectile dysfunction cannot negatively affect sperm quality. These products can improve the ejaculation by improving the erection. However, there is an indirect relation between these medications and sperm quality. If there is erectile dysfunction, the use of these medications increases the male partner’s self-confidence, improves his mood for more frequent sexual intercourse, i.e. more frequent ejaculations, and therefore better sperm quality. Moreover, the more the sexual intercourse the better the chance to have sex inside the fertile period. Often, the effort to conceive is stressful negatively affecting the erectile function, especially during the fertile days. The use of medications that assist to the erectile function can improve the quality of sexual contacts.
CAUTION: do never use these medications without consulting your urologist, because the erectile dysfunction may not be due only to the stress, but to some other cause that the urologist is competent to diagnose and advise for the proper treatment.