Male Infertility
Causes and Treatments
Much like female infertility, the causes for male infertility can be multifaceted and deserve full investigation. However, in contrast to female infertility, the causes of male infertility affect only one target organ, the testes.
A semen analysis is the primary test used to determine male fertility. Semen analysis results can be normal, mildly, moderately or severely abnormal or very low semen count, a condition called azoospermia. Whatever the severity of semen analysis, CHR has the expertise to bring fertility to almost 90% of all affected males.
In addition to our in-house team of medical doctors who are infertility experts, CHR also works with urology associates who have expertise in other areas including,
- Evaluation and treatment of male infertility
- Microsurgical vasectomy reversal
- Sperm procurement techniques
- Microsurgical varicocele ligation
- Management of testicular failure and hypogonadism
- Sperm cryopreservation/banking
- Evaluation and treatment of ejaculatory disorders
- General urology
Common condition
Infertility affects approximately 10% to 15% of couples. By default, the female in the family generally becomes the focus when a couple is struggling with infertility, however it’s important to understand that infertility is one of those unusual conditions that actually involves two patients, each of whom need to be evaluated. As well, in many cases both also will require some manner of treatment. Some couples have difficulty in conceiving their first pregnancy (primary infertility) whereas other couples experience problems after conceiving a successful pregnancy (secondary infertility). In either case, stress and grief are common when couples have difficulty.
The most common cause of male infertility is a varicocele. This is when the veins in the scrotum (the skin "sack" that hangs beneath the penis) are dilated on one or both sides. This heats the inside of the scrotum and may affect sperm production. A blockage in a man's reproductive system may cause male infertility. Some medicines can also cause infertility.
Vasectomy Reversal or Reverse Vasectomy
Surgery can reconnect the ducts that carry sperm from the testicles into the semen. After successful vasectomy reversal, sperm are present in the semen again and it may be possible to accomplish pregnancy in the partner.
CHR is an expert resource on the subject of male infertility. Please contact us if you have any questions or want to know more about our treatments.
Last Updated: October 24, 2011
