Male infertility: tests and first steps in Dubai
A male factor is involved in about half of couples who struggle to conceive, and it is the easiest half to test. Dr. Shami includes him from the first visit, explains the result without jargon, and plans around it.
Who it is for
- Every man whose partner is being investigated for infertility
- Men who have had an abnormal semen analysis elsewhere and want it repeated and explained
- Couples with a history of varicocele, undescended testes, infections, chemotherapy or surgery
- Men who want to check their fertility before trying
What the basic workup includes
Semen analysis is the core test: volume, concentration, motility and morphology, read in the clinic's own andrology laboratory. Because results vary from sample to sample, an abnormal result is usually repeated after a few weeks before any conclusion is drawn.
Hormone tests (FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin) are added when the analysis is significantly abnormal, and a karyotype or genetic tests when counts are very low; see genetic testing.
A short history and examination often explain more than the tests: heat exposure, medications, smoking, past infections or surgery.
Where a urological cause is suspected, Dr. Shami refers to a urologist within the clinic group, and the two of them plan together.
What the result changes
A mildly reduced result may call for three months of lifestyle changes and a repeat test, or point towards IUI. A significantly reduced result usually means ICSI, where a single sperm is injected into each egg, which works even with very low counts. A complete absence of sperm is not the end: surgical sperm retrieval is available within the clinic group. Dr. Shami will explain which of these applies to you.
How Dr. Shami approaches it
- 1
Tested early, not last
The semen analysis is done at the couple's first checkup, so no one wastes months treating only one partner.
- 2
Repeated before it is believed
One abnormal sample is not a diagnosis. She repeats it before any plan is built on it.
- 3
Explained to both of you
The result is discussed with the couple together, and its impact on the plan is made clear.
Dr. Ghina Shami
Questions patients ask
How do I prepare for a semen analysis?
Two to five days without ejaculation before the sample, no fever or illness in the previous weeks if possible, and the sample produced at the clinic. The team gives you exact instructions when you book.
Can sperm quality be improved?
Often, to a degree. Stopping smoking, reducing heat exposure, losing excess weight and treating deficiencies can improve results over about three months. Dr. Shami will tell you what is realistic for your result.
Do I need to see a urologist?
Not always. Dr. Shami handles the basic workup and refers to a urologist when a physical cause such as varicocele or a blockage is suspected, or when surgical sperm retrieval is being considered.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ghina Shami, Consultant Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility · September 2026
Tell Dr. Shami where you are in your journey
A message on WhatsApp is enough to start. She replies personally, in English or Arabic.