Is semen analysis the Next Big Thing in personalised health tracking?
Semen analysis has the opportunity to be a “proactive tool” for assessing general health in men, if only general practitioners can seize the moment.
According to new paper out of the University of Adelaide, male fertility is highly influenced by environmental, lifestyle and medical factors; even short-term interventions like nutritional supplementation can lead to substantial improvement in semen quality.
It is because of this relatively high sensitivity that the boffins at the university’s school of biomedicine believe semen analysis can help predict long-term health risks and “holds untapped potential” as a preventative health tool.
“An abnormal semen analysis result is likely to inspire further fertility assessment and delivery of care options by primary care providers but could also be an opportunity for further general health assessment to identify the underlying cause of the poor semen analysis results and catch the beginnings of chronic diseases earlier,” co-author Dr Nicole McPherson said.
“Incorporating male fertility as an integral part of a broad assessment of male health could change the narrative on how male reproductive health is perceived, increase awareness around its predictions about healthier living and reduce the overall stigma around male infertility.”
One of the other conclusions from the review, which was published in Nature Reviews Urology, was that semen analysis – typically comprising physical volume, pH, sperm concentration, movement, form and viability – was not a definitive predictor of male fertility.
But general chronic disease factors like obesity, for instance, are associated with a reduction in basic sperm parameters like concentration, motility and morphology.
“An increasing number of men seek to engage in preconception care, as fertility is closely tied to a man’s sense of masculinity, identity and aspirations for fatherhood,” the study read.
“In this context, a semen analysis can be a powerful motivator to encourage healthy behaviours and proactive health management.
“By incorporating semen analysis into primary care, health care providers can leverage men’s desire for fatherhood as an entry point to discuss broader health concerns, such as mental well-being, nutrition and physical activity.”
Dr McPherson did, however, caution that news of an abnormal semen analysis can be “quite traumatic” for some men.
“It is important that the delivery of this news is met with empathy and respect, and this may help motivate men to initiate lifestyle changes to improve not only their fertility but general health,” she said.
Send your ideas for the Next Big Thing in personalised health tracking to Holly@medicalrepublic.com.au.
