Male Factor

Male infertility is responsible for approximately half the cases of infertility in a couple.

Once a couple has actively tried to conceive for over 12 months without getting pregnant, most couples make the decision to see a fertility specialist for help.

The infertility specialist will focus on both partners. There are both male factors and female factors in infertility.

For the man there are several factors that might cause infertility. Some of those factors are:

Low Sperm Count
Trauma
Systemic Disease
Undescended testicle
Infection
Diabetes
Erectile Dysfunction
Blockage of Sperm
Cystic Fibrosis
Varicocele
Chromosomal Abnormality
Hypertension

Diagnosis of male infertility can range from a series of blood tests to surgery. One of the first steps in determining male infertility is a semen analysis. The analysis checks for sperm count, sperm viability, and sperm abnormalities. Most often male hormones are also evaluated in order to make sure that the hormones are at the best parameters to produce quality and quantity sperm. Sometimes if most other tests have not determined any infertility issues and the female testing has also not turned up any infertility issues, the fertility specialists may turn to genetic studies to make sure there are not any chromosomal abnormalities that might be causing the infertility

Factors to take into consideration when looking at the male infertility factor are the age of the man, the physical health of the man as well as any past or current medical conditions that may be a factor in his fertility.

Once a diagnosis has been made, there are several options available for treatment to men that help with male infertility. Some of those options include drug/hormonal therapy, Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ART), Artificial Insemination, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer (GIFT). Some men may need to have surgery for a vasectomy reversal, to remove varicose veins to allow for a better quality of sperm or to fix an anatomical issue.