Male Infertility

Overcome Male Infertility

Many men dream of fatherhood, only to be disappointed and even surprised when they try for 12+ months without successfully conceiving with their partner. However, you are not alone. About 15% of all couples are infertile. As many as 50% of these infertile couples will have a male-factor component, 30% of couples will not be able to conceive solely because of a male factor. For this reason, if a couple is having trouble conceiving, it’s important to have both the male and female partners evaluated.

Evaluating for Male Factor Infertility

Male sexual and reproductive health specialists recommend a complete evaluation for male patients, including a semen analysis, to identify the cause of a couple’s infertility. The evaluation is a critical component of solving the cause of infertility and needs to be performed and managed by experienced physicians and a competent reproductive laboratory. Additionally, male hormone levels may influence sperm counts and should be evaluated by a male fertility specialist.

Every man who is having problems conceiving with his partner requires an evaluation, which includes:

• A complete history and physical examination
• Reproductive history of both male and female partners
• Screening semen analysis
• Blood work
• Exam to identify varicoceles, which are similar to varicose veins in the leg and are also a known cause of male infertility
• Possible advanced testing with ultrasound

If there are any abnormalities found on preliminary screening, your physician will discuss one of the many options that may be available to you and your partner.