Why test male partners blood?

[Nolly1994]

I know the simple answer is call the hospital to ask, however, as this is my partners health and not mine, i can't and i won't push him to until he is ready!

We have been referred for IVF after ttc for 4+ years, all my tests are fine (took a while..). He had a semen analysis about 2/3 years ago, was fine except slightly low re normal appearing sperm. Said to re-test in 3 months, however it didn't happen and has only just been re-done!

He got a text saying he has an appointment with the lab in a few weeks. No context, no letter received yet. From our online portal it looks like it's a blood test. Has anyone experienced a blood test referral after a semen analysis? We don't want to jump to conclusions that his sample isn't good, but from what i've found online (not much) it's to check his hormones. Is this standard procedure before IVF or is it more likely to be linked to his semen sample results?

Thanks in advance if anyone replies!

Could be STI screening?

If the count was low they are likely checking his hormone profile.

As others have said, they could be checking his hormone levels or virology. Me and DP both had to have virology bloods taken every 3 months through IVF.

Is it a routine part of IVF? Or is it only if there’s been an issue with a semen sample? Thanks!

Ah interesting! They hadn’t mentioned he’d need one, is it standard procedure like it is for females to have one, or only when a semen analysis has issues?

@Nolly1994 I think HFEA specify that all men and women having IVF have to have the STI checks (Hep B, HIV etc) because of storing the embryos. It's totally normal.

Our clinic also made us do a urine test for chlamydia.

@Nolly1994

@Nolly1994 it's a routine part of IVF.

Thank you. We got the letter today, looks like the blood test is actually for me to check AMB & Rubella. Then he has another semen analysis, but they’ve not provided any results of his one 4 weeks ago. Hoping they just routinely want to re do the semen now we are officially under the IVF clinic. Will be calling Monday!

@Nolly1994 we had the blood tests taken before the sperm analysis so the bloods are nothing to do with that. It was to check for HIV etc - females also need to have it done.

We also had to have sperm sample redone when we were officially under IVF clinic - wouldn't use the previous results.

@Nolly1994 Our clinic tested my same-sex female partners STI status even though she's not biologically involved at all, so I think its just common screening practice