What causes male infertility?
Male infertility is most often caused by problems with sperm production or delivery. There are three basic categories of male reproductive issues, including:
Pre-testicular issues
Pre-testicular issues include systemic and hormonal causes of male infertility. If your general health is compromised, your reproductive system may not operate optimally.
Common causes of pre-testicular infertility include obesity, stress, an unhealthy diet, and aging. A decrease in sperm stimulating hormones and low testosterone levels may also affect your fertility.
Testicular conditions
Testicular conditions include defects or disorders in the testes that alter sperm production or maturation. These conditions may be genetic or result from trauma or prolonged exposure to heat or chemicals.
Post-testicular conditions
Post-testicular conditions refer to the conditions that affect your sperm’s ability to travel to the tip of the penis for ejaculation. Your sperm may be perfectly healthy, but for some reason can’t reach your partner. Types of post-testicular conditions include vasectomy, improperly positioned penile opening, erectile dysfunction, or retrograde ejaculation.
How is male infertility diagnosed?
The men’s health specialists conduct comprehensive examinations to diagnose the underlying cause of your infertility. During your initial consultation, the team performs a physical exam and reviews your medical history.
To confirm or rule out a suspected cause, the team may request diagnostic tests, such as semen analysis, hormone testing, genetic analysis, or ultrasonic imaging.
To better meet the needs of you and your partner, the Men’s Health Center also offers a couples infertility evaluation, co-located with female infertility specialists at the office.
How is male infertility treated?
The Men’s Health Center is the only clinic in San Diego County that offers comprehensive care for men’s health and the team offers many treatment options for male infertility. The specifics of your treatment may depend on the underlying cause.
Some of the male infertility treatments available at the Men’s Health Center include:
- Stimulatory hormone injections
- Prescription medications
- Herbal supplements
- Nutritional supplements
- Vasectomy reversal
The team also offers intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which is a technique used during in vitro fertilization (IVF) in which sperm is injected directly into your partner’s donor egg.
The men’s health specialists also treat cancer patients with infertility issues, which includes freezing sperm.
To schedule your male infertility evaluation with the men’s health specialists, call the office of Mike Hsieh, MD, or use the online booking feature.
