Men's fertility
Male fertility test in Dublin
Male fertility testing: half the picture. Roughly 40% of couples with impaired fertility have a male factor, so the man matters just as much here. A male fertility test at NeoFertility looks at the whole picture. We do a semen analysis (count, motility, and morphology). We test for sperm DNA fragmentation (damage to the genetic material inside the sperm) using a method called SCSA. We screen for hidden infection with a sensitive DNA test. We check hormones, and we check for a varicocele (an enlarged vein in the scrotum). Fertility is a two-person picture, and we look at both partners from your very first appointment.
We see couples every week where the focus has been entirely on the woman. She has had scans, blood tests, sometimes surgery. The man had one semen test, it came back borderline, and nothing more was done. When we look more closely at the male side, we often find a real cause we can treat.
One thing worth knowing: a normal semen test does not rule out a male factor. A man can have a completely normal count, normal movement, and normal shape, and still carry high sperm DNA fragmentation (damage to the genetic material inside the sperm). That is the blind spot a standard test does not cover. It matters a great deal for couples who cannot work out why pregnancy is not happening.
A couple's fertility is a shared picture.
What a male fertility test includes
- Semen analysis: count, motility (how well the sperm move), and morphology (their shape), to WHO 2010 reference ranges
- Sperm DNA fragmentation testing, which checks for damage to the genetic material inside sperm (SCSA method, DFI result)
- PCR infection screening, a sensitive DNA-based test for Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma, and Ureaplasma
- Hormonal blood profile (standard EUR 150 or extended EUR 200)
- A check for a varicocele (an enlarged vein in the scrotum)
What we look at in men
So here is what we do. We look at the semen analysis. We look at the DNA fragmentation index. We look for any sign of a quiet, long-running infection. And we look at whether a varicocele is present. Each of those points to a different way forward, and we talk every one of them through with you.
The DNA fragmentation index, or DFI, sounds like a mouthful. It just means the share of sperm carrying damaged genetic material. In our clinical experience, fragmentation above roughly 15% begins to predict a lower chance of a live birth and a higher chance of miscarriage. We use SCSA testing to measure this. Here is the hopeful part: sperm production renews itself roughly every 10 to 12 weeks. A high DFI today is not a fixed number. It is a starting point we can work from.
For infection screening, we test using a PCR-DNA method. That simply means a DNA-based test, and it picks up more than the older culture-based testing does. Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, and Ureaplasma can all push DNA fragmentation up, often with no symptoms the man would ever notice. When we find an infection and treat it, sperm quality often improves by the next assessment.
In our clinical experience, most men see a real, measurable improvement in their semen results or DNA fragmentation once we treat the underlying cause. This is a process that takes some time, and you are not on your own for it. The couple comes in together. We investigate together. And we adjust the plan as the results come in.
A restorative approach aims for natural conception, working with the body rather than going around the problem. By way of contrast, a single IVF cycle in Ireland typically costs EUR 5,000 to EUR 8,000, and ICSI adds further cost on top of that. Our full treatment programme is a fraction of that cost. You can also see how our women's fertility assessment fits alongside the male side, so you have the complete picture for both of you.
Frequently asked questions
What does a male fertility test include?
A male fertility test at NeoFertility includes a semen analysis (count, motility, and morphology), sperm DNA fragmentation testing by SCSA, infection screening for Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, and Ureaplasma, a hormonal blood profile, and a check for a varicocele (an enlarged vein in the scrotum). That is the full panel we run. A standard test at most labs covers only count, motility, and morphology. We go further, because the rest of the picture often explains what the standard result missed.
Does a normal semen analysis rule out a male factor?
Not necessarily. A conventional semen analysis measures sperm count, motility (how well the sperm move), and morphology (their shape). What it does not measure is sperm DNA fragmentation, which is damage to the genetic material inside the sperm. High DNA fragmentation can make fertilisation harder and can affect how the early embryo develops. It can also cause early pregnancy losses that get written down as unexplained. A normal semen analysis can sit alongside significant DNA fragmentation. We include fragmentation testing in our standard male check, because count and motility alone do not give us the full picture.
Can male factor be treated without IVF?
In many cases, yes. In our clinical experience, most men see a real, measurable improvement in their semen results or DNA fragmentation once we treat the cause. We look at what is actually driving it: infection, a hormone imbalance, a varicocele (an enlarged vein in the scrotum), or oxidative stress (damage from unstable molecules in the body). Where we find a long-running infection, we treat it and test again. Where a varicocele is contributing, we refer for surgical repair, or, for men who would rather avoid surgery, embolization (a less invasive procedure that seals off the affected vein). A restorative approach is aimed at correcting the cause and supporting natural conception. We would rather find and fix what is driving the result than move to assisted reproduction with the cause still in place.
How much does a male fertility test cost?
A semen analysis on its own is EUR 150. A combined semen analysis and DNA fragmentation test is EUR 400. A male fertility blood profile is EUR 150 for the standard panel and EUR 200 for the extended panel. If you are thinking about an initial fertility consultation with Dr. Boyle or Dr. Toth, that appointment is 45 minutes and costs EUR 300. No GP referral is needed, and we ask that both partners come along from day one.
If you are ready to take the next step, we are here to help.
Send a short message whenever you feel ready, and we will reply within one working day. There is no obligation, and no question is too small.
No GP referral is needed, and you can ask anything before you decide whether a consultation is right for you.