According to reports, approximately one in seven couples fail to conceive, and in up to half of these couples, the problem lies in the male partner. This might be attributed to abnormal sperm function, low sperm count, blockages preventing sperm delivery, chronic illnesses, etc. Dr. Desiderio Avila of the urology clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, a board-certified urologist, will help you diagnose and treat all the reversible causes of male infertility.
Let’s talk about the questions you can ask your urologist about the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility and where you can go around Phoenix, AZ, for the best urology care.
Diagnosis-Related QuestionsYou may ask the following questions to your urologist to know how they will diagnose your infertility.
How Would You Know If I Am Infertile?
Diagnosing male infertility would require your urologist to evaluate you and your partner’s complete health and reproductive history. Additionally, you will be requested to undergo a physical examination and provide a semen sample to measure the quantity and quality of your sperm.
Once the semen test result is out, your urologist will evaluate your hormone level, conduct tests for genetic abnormalities, and/or order imagining tests, such as a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound.
How Would You Evaluate Semen Health?
Sperm health is evaluated by three main factors:
· sperm count (number of sperms in semen)
· sperm morphology (shape of the sperms- ideal shape is normal-sized head and a tail)
· sperm motility (the ability of sperms to move effectively)
Your semen sample will also be checked for any sign of infection.
How Would You Determine the Cause of My Infertility?
The urologist will determine the cause of your infertility through the following tests.
· Scrotal ultrasound
· Transrectal ultrasound
· Hormone testing
· Pre-ejaculation urinalysis
· Genetic tests
· Testicular biopsy
· Specialized sperm function tests
Treatment-Related Questions
Once your infertility and its causes are diagnosed, asking the following questions from a urologist could help you understand the treatment you will receive.
What Are the Most Common Treatment Options Available to Treat Infertility?
Your urologist will offer the following treatments for infertility:
· Varicocelectomy
· Vasectomy reversal
· Surgical removal of sperm flow blockage
· Sperm retrieval:
(1) Testicular sperm extraction (TESE)
(2) Microscopic dissection of the testicles (microTESE)
(3) Microscopic epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA)
(4) Percutaneous testicular or epididymal sperm aspiration
How Would You Determine Which Treatment Is Best for My Infertility?
After understanding the cause of your infertility, your urologist will devise a treatment plan, i.e., most effective in treating the cause and helping your partner get pregnant. For example, if your infertility was due to varicoceles, an abnormal collection of bulging veins around the testicles, surgery will be recommended to remove these bulging veins.
I Had Vasectomy in the Past, Now How Can I Regain My Fertility?
If your infertility is due to the vasectomy you had in the past, luckily, you can regain your fertility through a vasectomy reversal procedure. Your urologist will offer the most appropriate of the two vasectomy reversal procedures: vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy, following the evaluation of the fluid sample from your vas deferens.
Urology Clinic near Me in Phoenix, AZ
If you are worried about male infertility and plan to reverse and fix your infertility-related problems preventing you from fathering a child, visit Ironwood Urology at Phoenix, AZ at the earliest.
Our internal urologist, Dr. Avila and his team provide preventive care and treatment to complicated infertility-related problems.To know more about our services or schedule a consultation, contact our Urology clinic today at (480) 961-2323 or fill out our easy-to-use appointment request form.
