It often surprises couples to learn that a variety of male factors causes 40% of infertility. Sometimes it is the sole reason, but often both partners have issues that impair reproduction.
For conception to occur, men need to have enough healthy sperm to travel from their reproductive organs to their partner’s egg (oocyte). When sperm production or movement is hindered, male infertility becomes a factor.
Some of the more common causes of these problems are:
- Varicocele is an abnormal collection of bulging veins above the testicles
- Undescended testicles
- Absence of the vas deferens, the sperm transportation channel
- Infections in the reproductive organs, cancer or other medical conditions
- Anti-sperm antibodies, which stop sperm from getting to the egg
Semen analysis
A comprehensive semen analysis is essential for determining whether the male partner will have a problem conceiving.
At Westchester Fertility, our andrologist can perform a complete analysis on-site. A semen analysis evaluates sperm count, motility, morphology (shape), volume, and total motile (moving sperm) count.
Treatment
We have several options for treating male infertility, including intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization with or without ICSI. Depending on the cause, we may refer patients to a urologist for surgery to correct specific anatomical problems or to reverse a vasectomy.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
During in vitro fertilization, the laboratory may need to select a normal-appearing live sperm and inject it into the egg with special micro-pipettes under microscopic control. ICSI enhances fertilization for males with a low sperm count, poor motility, or a high percentage of abnormal sperm.
Can a man enhance his fertility?
A man can maximize his fertility by stopping bad habits or moderating lifestyle choices, including illegal drug use, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and testosterone use. Optionally, they should curtail spending time in hot tubs or wear more loose-fitting underwear.
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