Dr Maree Lee investigates the male factors that influence fertility, often overlooked in standard fertility workups, to provide a more complete and accurate picture.
Fertility difficulty is so often presented as a female issue, but male factors are actually involved in around half of all cases.
Whether you are trying to conceive now as a couple, you have specific concerns relating to past diagnosis, injury or surgery, or you want more information before committing to a specific treatment approach, testing each person involved in the planned pregnancy can provide important insight and direction.
A fertility test for men typically starts with a process as easy as semen analysis to investigate sperm count, movement and shape, alongside a broader medical assessment.
Dr Maree Lee will explain every result clearly, and where appropriate, options like sperm freezing in Sydney are available if preserving fertility is part of the conversation.
Male fertility insights
Male fertility is shaped by a wide combination of factors such as genetics, hormones, lifestyle and environmental exposure.
It is also one of the most underexamined parts of fertility testing, often investigated only after female fertility factors have been reviewed. While sperm production and blockages can affect male fertility, genetic factors are responsible for a notable proportion of severe cases. Klinefelter syndrome, where a man carries an extra X chromosome, and Y-chromosome microdeletions are the two most common causes. Both are usually only considered once semen analysis points to a significant underlying cause.
A long-term decline in average sperm counts has been reported worldwide since the 1970s, a trend still studied and debated. Lifestyle and environmental factors, including smoking, excess alcohol, obesity and prolonged heat exposure to the testes, can affect sperm quality. Semen analysis remains the starting point for testing, looking at count, motility and morphology. Where preserving fertility is relevant, sperm freezing is a straightforward process once testing is complete.
Visit The Waiting Room to learn more.
Frozen sperm can be stored for 10+ years, with possible extensions.
Varicoceles affect up to 40% of men investigated for infertility, and are often treatable.
Average sperm counts have declined by around 50% since the 1970s.
Azoospermia affects around 1% of men overall, but up to 15% of those investigated for infertility.
Are you interested in learning more about fertility treatments for men? Knowing how it works and what to expect at each step can help you feel more comfortable as you move forward.
Dr Maree Lee will talk through your previous medical records and results, and what brought you in, whether that’s a specific concern or simply wanting both partners properly checked. This is an open, non-judgemental space where information drives results.
Semen analysis is usually the starting point, with further tests such as hormone blood work or imaging added if the initial result suggests they will be useful.
Dr Maree will go through what your results actually mean, in plain language, discussing the outcomes with you, so you understand the information.
Depending on what’s found, options might include lifestyle factors worth addressing, further investigation, treatment, or simply reassurance that things look fine. The path will be based on your results and what you want to achieve.
Fertility testing and treatment often brings up a lot of questions, and sometimes it’s difficult to remember them all in the room. If you think of something you want to know after, Dr Maree is committed to providing answers.
If you’re trying to conceive as a couple, testing both partners early can save time and rule issues in or out sooner. Now’s the time to test.
Male fertility challenges come with a lot of questions, and at Dr Maree’s practice, we are all about delivering the answers. Here are some of the most common queries we receive.
Yes. You can arrange a fertility test for men directly with Dr Maree Lee, no GP referral required, but a referral can support Medicare rebates.
Getting a male fertility test starts with a consultation with Dr Maree Lee, who will discuss your history and arrange the right investigations, usually a semen analysis to begin with.
It looks at sperm count, movement and shape, along with the overall volume and quality of the sample. Results are interpreted in context, not as a single pass or fail result.
It means no sperm was found in the sample tested, which can have several causes. Further investigation, including imaging or genetic testing, may help identify a path forward.
Yes, in some men it can affect sperm quality, and treating it can improve results. Not every varicocele needs treatment, which is something Dr Maree will assess individually.
In many cases, yes. Factors like smoking, alcohol, weight and heat exposure can all affect sperm, and improving them over a few months can make a difference, since sperm take around three months to develop.
In most cases, sperm freezing can be arranged quickly in Sydney, with Dr Maree’s office, once initial testing and a short consultation are complete.
Sometimes. Sperm production can vary, so a second sample is often used to confirm abnormal results before any decisions are made.
The Waiting Room is the perfect place to take a few minutes and read through the latest research, emerging practices, and insights shared by Dr Maree. The more you know, the more effectively you can consider and discuss your options and make informed decisions that are right for you.
Male factor affects around half of couples trying to conceive, yet the man is often the last to be tested. Dr Maree Lee explains what a semen analysis really tells you and why both partners should be investigated from the start.
Age is information, not a verdict. Dr Maree Lee explains what fertility decline after 35 really means, why AMH doesn’t tell the whole story, and when to investigate.
An evidence-based guide to elective egg freezing by fertility specialist Dr Maree Lee: what it preserves, success rates by age, the process and the Australian rules.
Specialist investigation and treatment for the female factors that can affect conception.
A complete picture of your reproductive health, so you understand your options before you start trying.
Comprehensive, evidence-based treatments, tailored to your history and your goals.
Male fertility is half the equation, and it should get the same attention as female fertility and testing. Book a consultation with Dr Maree for a comprehensive view of your fertility options.
