Male Infertility
At Fertility Specialists of Houston we believe it is essential for our patients to understand what is happening to them every step of the way. We want you to maintain a feeling of control about the process. After your initial consultation our physician will be able to determine a preliminary diagnosis and make testing recommendations.
Once the initial work-up is complete and test results are reviewed, a diagnosis can be pinpointed and a treatment plan begun. We will educate you thoroughly about your particular diagnosis, but we have provided an overview below. Please contact us if you have any questions about this information or your own specific situation.
Infertility attributed to a man's reproductive system may include problems with sperm production, the anatomy or structure of the reproductive organs or an imbalance in a man's hormonal system. One of the main causes of infertility in men is the failure to produce health sperm. Azoospermia, the complete absence of sperm in the semen, and oligospermia, too few sperm are produced, can both cause infertility. Additionally, disorders within a man's own immune system can hinder his fertility. In this case, men develop antibodies to their own sperm which may attach to and weaken sperm, thereby impacting their ability to move and fertilize an egg.
Additionally, there may be anatomical causes of male infertility that could include retrograde ejaculation, testicular cancer, undescended testis and varicocele or varicose veins within the testes.
Treatment for male infertility depends on the particular diagnosis. Structural abnormalities that decrease the sperm count may be treated with surgery, intrauterine insemination (IUI) or, in severe cases, with In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) using the advanced technique of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) to overcome fertilization obstacles. Hormonal disorders may be managed with medications. Lastly, sperm antibodies are usually first treated with IUI and, if unsuccessful, IVF with ICSI.
* The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written on this site. No health information on this website should be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor.
