When a couple is having difficulty conceiving, male infertility is a contributing factor more than 50% of the time. To evaluate a man’s fertility, doctors often order a semen analysis, also known as a spermogram. In this test, a man provides a semen sample, and technicians evaluate it, considering factors like sperm count, motility, and morphology.
The results of a semen analysis depend on many factors, including how long the man abstained from ejaculating before providing the sample. Current guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend 2 to 7 days of abstinence before the test. However, these guidelines are based on limited evidence and are debated by experts. The American Urological Association (AUA), the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) all have slightly different recommendations.
But what about a shorter period of abstinence? This article explores the impact of one day (or less) of abstinence on sperm count and other measures. We’ll look at the existing research to determine how much a short period of abstinence affects semen analysis results and whether the current recommendations are still valid. This information is essential for fertility specialists, andrologists, and men who are being evaluated for fertility.