A semen sample arrives at the lab in a sterile white container. It is labelled by name and placed among dozens of others for further analysis. In recent months those samples are revealing a growing health crisis, one many men are not aware they are facing.
Abnormal semen parameters, once relatively uncommon are appearing with increasing frequency in the laboratory at Sinel Specialist Family Hospital. Low sperm counts, poor motility and in some cases, the complete absence of sperm are showing up more often than was recorded a decade ago.
“We are seeing more cases of low sperm count,” says Dr. Gary Thomas Ashare, the Head of Laboratory Services at Sinel. “What makes this more concerning is not just the numbers, but the stories behind them.”
For most men, fertility is not something they think about until it becomes urgent. This lack of concern, Dr. Ashare believes is a part of the problem. Environmental and lifestyle factors like prolonged exposure to industrial smoke, long hours operating heavy machinery like forklifts, smoking and wearing of tight underwear all leave traces behind on reproductive cells.
In a recent internal review conducted at Sinel, semen samples from 206 men were analysed. Of these, 59.7% showed abnormal semen parameters. The most common abnormalities involved reduced sperm motility, either alone or combined with low sperm count. In several cases, these patterns were associated with prostate inflammation.
Male infertility is not rare. Globally, it contributes to approximately 50% of infertility cases and affects about one in five couples. Yet discussions around male reproductive health remain limited. Dr. Ashare believes the bigger challenge lies beyond testing and protocols but in conversation and awareness.
“Men need to take their health seriously,” Dr. Ashare advises. “Don’t only visit the hospital when you think something is wrong.”
At Sinel Specialist Family Hospital, the research lab is committed to delivering evidence based healthcare and strengthening patient care and medical innovation.
