Male Factor Infertility

Male Factor Infertility

Approximately 30 percent of infertile couples are found to have infertility due to male factor. This diagnosis is generally made following the evaluation of semen. Once sperm abnormalities are found, a diagnostic plan is developed, which may include further history, physical examination, laboratory and imaging studies. Referral to a urologist for possible surgical intervention may be necessary. Several treatments are available to improve male fertility:

Hormonal Modification: When a man is found to have abnormal sperm, an assessment of his hormonal system is necessary. If an imbalance is detected, correction typically leads to improvement in sperm and increased fertility.

Intrauterine Insemination: Semen is processed in the laboratory to obtain the healthiest sperm, which is concentrated and inserted into the endometrial cavity through a small catheter close to the time of ovulation. If sperm is plentiful with adequate forward progression, the chance of fertilization and pregnancy significantly increases.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): When sperm is either small in quantity or is very impaired in motility, fertilization is accomplished in the laboratory. A small glass needle is utilized to inject individual sperm into the egg. Sperm can be obtained from semen or for men who have blockages, from the ejaculatory ducts or the testicle with a needle under local anesthesia.

Testicular sperm extraction (TESE): The process of removing a small portion of tissue from the testicle under local anesthesia and extracting the few viable sperm cells present in that tissue for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The testicular sperm extraction process is recommended to men who cannot produce sperm by ejaculation due to azoospermia, such as that caused by primary testicular failure, congenital absence of the vas deferens or non-reconstructed vasectomy.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and testicular sperm extraction (TESE) have reduced the need for donor sperm and allowing men who were previously thought to be infertile to father children of their own.

New Patient Infertility Packet
For heterosexual couples seeking treatment for infertility completed forms for both partners is required.
Female Packet
Male Packet
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