What is male infertility?
Simply put, male infertility is a health issue that decreases the chance of a male impregnating his female partner. Most commonly, this stems from problems with making and growing sperm.
Though it’s not as widely discussed as its female counterpart, male infertility is more prevalent than you might think, as it factors into almost 30% of all fertility cases in the United States, and male infertility alone is responsible in about 20% of cases.
What causes male infertility?
Male infertility usually stems from sperm not developing fully or in large enough quantities, or from troubles with ejaculation. Your sperm may be considered abnormal if it has an unusually short lifespan, or if its ability to move is greatly impaired.
Many factors can cause male infertility, but the most commonly diagnosed conditions include:
- Problems with your hypothalamic or pituitary glands
- Disorders affecting your testes
- Blockages in the ducts that carry sperm from your testes to the urethra
This said, a lot of research remains to be done on the causes of male infertility. In fact, the cause is unknown in about half of male infertility cases
How is male infertility diagnosed?
Your doctor at Prince William Urology Associates uses a number of tests to diagnose your fertility, including:
- Analysis of semen samples to determine the quantity and condition of your sperm
- Blood tests to check for proper hormone levels or infection
- Physical exams of your penis, scrotum, and prostate
What treatments are available for male infertility?
Depending on the cause of your infertility, your treatment at Prince William Urology Associates may include:
- Medications to promote sperm production
- Antibiotics to treat infections
- Hormone treatments to correct a testosterone deficiency
- Surgery to remove blockages in the vas deferens or ejaculatory duct
If the cause of your infertility is not known, your doctor may recommend alternative modes of fertilization. These include in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Consult your doctor about which treatment method may be right for you.
If you believe that you may be suffering from male infertility, call Prince William Urology Associates or schedule an appointment online today.
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