MALE FERTILITY CARE
A common misconception about infertility is that it is a female issue. In fact, 1/3 of fertility cases stem from male factor infertility. At New Hope Fertility Center, each couple we see is carefully evaluated to determine the specific cause of their infertility. If your physician determines that it is due to a male factor, there are several courses of fertility treatment that may be pursued.
Male Infertility is usually caused by problems that affect either sperm production or sperm transportation. Roughly 2/3 of male infertility cases involve issues with producing sperm in the testes, however many couples that struggle with becoming pregnant have more than one source of their infertility.
LEADING CAUSES OF MALE INFERTILITY
- Illness
- Injury
- Chronic Health Problems
- Lifestyle
- Disease
- Genetics
IDENTIFY MALE INFERTILITY
Typically, the best way to identify male infertility is through difficulty in conceiving a child and frequently there are no outward symptoms. If you have been trying to get pregnant through unprotected sex and have not been successful in a year, then you should consider scheduling a consultation. Also see a fertility doctor if you have erection or ejaculation problems, decreased sex drive, lumps or painful areas on the testes, have a family or personal history of prostate, testicle or sexual problems, or have had surgery in the groin region
TYPE OF MALE INFERTILITY
There are several different areas with which a man may struggle with fertility:
Sperm Production: The growth and formation of sperm inside the testicle. Production of sperm requires at least one healthy testicle and is triggered by a number of different hormones, like testosterone. An Example of a production issue would be LOW SPERM COUNT.
Sperm Transportation: The sperm, after being created, must be conveyed from the testes, mixed with the semen, and then ejaculated out of the penis. An example of Transport issue would be if you have had a vasectomy and require a vasectomy reversal.
Sperm Functionality: Not only must sperm be created and transported, but they have to be healthy enough to create a pregnancy. There are two parts to Sperm function. Morphology refers to the shape and overall health of the sperm. Motility refers to it’s ability to move. If there is abnormality with either of these, then you may experience difficulty becoming pregnant.
MALE FERTILITY TREATMENTS
Couples and individuals should understand the true causes of infertility and most current treatments available when learning about male factor infertility. There have been numerous instances where men have undergone unnecessary varicocelectomies to improve sperm count under the guidance of a urologist, for instance, to find that the varicocele is either absent or is not the source of the man’s fertility issue. Similarly, men have taken testosterone supplements to raise sperm counts, which, like a varicocelectomy, can actually run the risk of lowering a man’s sperm count, and even leave men totally sterile.
For men and couples looking for the most effective way to diagnose and treat their fertility difficulties, please read more on sperm retrieval and the ICSI procedure, azoospermia, vasectomy reversals and other fertility treatments at NHFC.