What is Male Infertility?
Male infertility isn’t something you hear much about in the news, so it may be surprising to learn just how common it is — and there’s no better time than Men’s Health Month (June) to become better informed. About one-third of infertility is thought to be male derived. Additionally, many couples with a normal semen analysis and a normal female evaluation (also called unexplained infertile couples) may have subtle abnormalities in sperm that a routine semen analysis simply fails to diagnose.
Who Should Consider a Semen Analysis?
Because male infertility is so common in couples struggling to conceive, essentially all couples with any level of subfertility should have a semen analysis performed. The test, which evaluates a semen sample for a number of factors, is simple, relatively inexpensive, and non-invasive (at least by medical standards). For the cost of the test, the semen analysis is by far considered the most cost effective and high yield component of the fertility evaluation.
What Causes Male Infertility?
Like many things in medicine, there is no single cause of all male infertility. For most men in whom a sperm abnormality is identified, no cause can be found. In some men, however, a detailed evaluation may uncover an anatomic abnormality, a problem with the testes, a problem in how the brain communicates with the testicles, or even a genetic issue. Therefore, a detailed workup in most men is recommended to identify such problems if they exist.
What are the Treatment Options for Male Infertility?
There are many treatments for male infertility, ranging from hormonal therapies to surgery. The good news is that even for men with very low sperm counts, the ultimate success rates of achieving pregnancy are extremely high with infertility treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization. The physicians at Fertility Associates of Memphis are experienced in treating couples suffering from all types of infertility-related problems, including male infertility, and have a proven track record in helping many subfertile men become fathers. For more information about male infertility, please visit our web site at http://fertilitymemphis.com/
If a couple doesn’t become pregnant after one year of unprotected sex, both the man and woman should see a board certified specialist in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Contact Fertility Associates of Memphis at 901-747-2229 to discuss your infertility issues.
causes of infertility, Fertility Associates of Memphis, male infertility, trying to get pregnant
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