Male infertility is defined as any health condition that interferes with a man’s ability to fulfill the basic function of reproduction. Male infertility has various potential causes. These include low sperm production, hormonal imbalance, premature ejaculation, acute or chronic genital tract infection, testicular rupture, erectile dysfunction, among others.
If you and your partner are unable to conceive after a year of trying without any protection and you suspect that you may be infertile, you will greatly benefit from the expertise of a urologist. Learn about how a urologist can treat male infertility.
Diagnosis
To confirm a diagnosis, your urologist will perform an evaluation of your medical history, current health condition, and sexual habits as well as do a physical exam.
Your urologist will also order some tests, such as:
o Semen analysis to assess the quantity and quality of your sperm available- Usually more than one sample is required.
o Blood test to check hormone levels and to exclude other conditions
o Diagnostic imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, to check for structural problems
o Testicular biopsy to assess sperm production
o Sperm function test to check the health of the sperm
Your urologist will also ask about your partner’s reproductive and health history and current medical condition in order to get a full picture of the problem.
Treatment
Based on the results of their evaluation, your urologist will determine the treatment option best suited for your case.
There are a variety of treatments and procedures available that can help boost your odds of having a baby. Your urologist may recommend any or a combination of the following treatment modalities to help achieve your desired outcome:
o Hormone treatment, if a hormone disorder is causing your infertility
o Antibiotic treatment for genital tract infection
o Medication, counselling, or behavioral techniques to help with erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation
o Surgical repair of varicoceles (enlargement of the veins in the scrotum) which can cause low sperm production and poor sperm quality
o Surgical removal of sperm flow obstruction
o A sperm retrieval procedure that obtains sperm either through normal ejaculation or through surgical extraction- Sperm can then be artificially inseminated into your partner or to be used for IVF or other techniques.
If having a low sperm count or sperm quality is what’s causing your infertility, urologist may also recommend self-care strategies to naturally boost your odds of conceiving. These include:
o Exercising regularly
o Taking enough vitamin C and D and zinc
o Managing your stress
o Loading up your diet with antioxidant-rich foods (e.g. strawberries, raspberries, walnuts, pecan, and kale)
o Getting enough folate
o Leading a healthy lifestyle (Smoking and excessive alcohol intake can affect your fertility.)
Top-Notch Urologist in Phoenix, AZ
If you are struggling with infertility, visit us at Ironwood Urology in Phoenix for a consultation with our male fertility specialist, Dr. Desiderio Avila, Jr. He delivers comprehensive, personalized care using evidence-based medicine to help our patients overcome male fertility issues.
To learn more about how we can help you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Avila today by calling (480) 961-2323. Alternatively, you can request an appointment online.
