Men who want children but who cannot conceive often feel extreme frustration and emotional stress. The good news is that a number of more effective male infertility treatments are now available to our patients.
Traditionally, infertility has been thought to be strictly a female issue. In reality, infertility affects both men and women, and about half the cases of infertility are as a result to factors within the male.
There are a variety of conditions that can lead to male infertility, including problems with sperm production, blockages in the reproductive tract, hormonal disorders, and problems within the testicle itself.
A man’s health history and lifestyle can also affect his fertility. For example, a past history of drug, alcohol or cigarette use, previous urologic surgery, prostate infections, mumps after puberty, a history of sexually transmitted diseases and current medications can all impact sperm production or delivery.
The first step in determining what could be preventing conception is obtaining a thorough history from the male partner to evaluate for factors that are associated with male infertility.
London Men’s Clinic evaluates male fertility with:
- A thorough medical history
- A physical exam
- A semen analysis
- Bloodwork
- Ultrasound and radiologic examination, only if needed.
Semen analysis looks for:
- Azoospermia, this is where no sperm are produced or sperm do not appear in the semen.
- Oligospermia, this is where few sperm are produced.
- Problems with sperm motility, which is likely to reduce the likelihood of fertilizing an egg.
- Problems with sperm form and structure (morphology).
Usually, two normal semen analyses are typically required to rule out significant infertility problems.
Hormonal imbalances in men can also affect a man’s fertility.
Testosterone is critical to improving sperm function and production. Low testosterone levels therefore can negatively impact sperm production and be a sign of overall poor health.
Once we have determined that male infertility has made getting pregnant difficult, your consultant can create a personalised, detailed treatment plan.
If you have tried to get pregnant without any luck and have concerns about male infertility, call or send us an enquiry to schedule a consultation appointment.
