Male infertility is when a man cannot get his partner pregnant. It can be due to low sperm count, poor sperm quality, or blockages in the reproductive tract. It is estimated that one in every six men in the United States will experience some form of infertility in their lifetime. This number is even higher for those with a family history of fertility issues.
Let’s talk about how male infertility can be prevented and treated and where you can go in Phoenix, AZ, for comprehensive male infertility care.
Can Male Infertility Be Prevented?
Infertility is not always something you can prevent, except in some cases where the cause is preventable, including circulation issues caused by medical conditions. For instance, in diabetes, common methods to reduce your risk of becoming infertile include:
- Avoiding smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
- Controlling alcohol intake
- Eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and low in fat and cholesterol
- Exercising regularly and maintaining a physically active lifestyle
- Maintaining a healthy weight relative to your age and height
- Maintaining good sleep hygiene and managing stress levels
Other causes that cannot be prevented include aging, infection, and blockages that affect the delivery of sperm. Fortunately, there are treatments for male infertility caused by non-preventable causes.
Treatment for Male Infertility
Treatments for male infertility include:
- Antibiotics – clears any infection in the reproductive organs, such as chlamydia, streptococcus faecalis, and tuberculosis.
- Hormone therapy – treats conditions like hypogonadism or a condition that causes low testosterone and sperm production, which can impact fertility. Examples of medication commonly used to treat male infertility are:
- Clomiphene citrate (Clomid): This medication is often used as an initial treatment for male infertility. It works by stimulating the release of hormones that help to produce sperm. A typical course of treatment involves taking Clomid for several months.
- Gonadotropins: These medications contain follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). They work by stimulating the production of sperm and increasing the amount produced by the testes.
- Surgery – to repair varicoceles or blockage of the ejaculatory ducts.
- Varicocele repair – Surgical repair is performed by making an incision in the groin, cutting the veins, and tying off the affected veins.
- Sperm retrieval – Sperm retrieval is a medical procedure used to obtain sperm from men who cannot ejaculate. Several different techniques can be used, and the cause of infertility will determine the most appropriate method. Examples of techniques include testicular sperm extraction (TESE), microscopic dissection of the testicles (microTESE), percutaneous testicular or epididymal sperm aspiration, and microscopic epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA).
- Vasectomy reversal – A surgical procedure to treat male infertility. The surgery involves reconnecting the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis.
Male Infertility Treatment in Phoenix, AZ
At Ironwood Urology, our board-certified and fellowship-trained urologist, Dr. Desiderio Avila Jr. offers you solutions for fertility issues. Dr. Avila has excellent experience treating infertility patients, balancing his expertise with a compassionate bedside manner.
To find out what treatment options are available for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Avila. Call our urology office today at (480) 961-2323 or use our convenient online appointment request form.
