Infertility Specialist

When should I seek help for infertility?

Both partners should seek an infertility evaluation if a couple has not conceived after having regular, unprotected intercourse for one year (or six months if the female partner is over 35).

After the age of 40, age becomes a significant factor for both partners. In men, testosterone levels begin to decline, causing changes that affect their fertility. Compared to men in their 30s, the chance of getting a woman pregnant within one-year declines by about 30% after the age of 40.

What causes male infertility?

Male infertility may develop for many reasons, including:

• Low sperm levels
• Poor sperm motility
• Abnormally shaped sperm
• Blocked tubes
• Varicose veins around the testicles
• Retrograde ejaculation
• Hormone imbalances
• Injured testicles

Lack of sperm is the culprit in 10-15% of male infertility cases.

How is male infertility diagnosed?

When you visit Advanced Urology of South Florida, you’ll receive a thorough physical examination and blood work as needed to rule out underlying health conditions like a hormone imbalance.

Next, you’ll undergo a semen analysis. This test checks your semen and sperm, identifying any problems that may affect your fertility. For example, all of the following problems affect male fertility:

• Amount of semen in an ejaculation
• Semen quality
• Number of sperm
• Sperm motility (ability to swim)
• Size and shape of sperm

The genetic integrity of your sperm is also important for fertility, so your doctor may run a sperm DNA fragmentation test.

How is male infertility treated?

Your doctor at Advanced Urology of South Florida develops your treatment based on the underlying cause of your infertility. A low sperm count can often be treated with medication, while hormone replacement therapy is used to address a hormone imbalance. You might need surgery to remove a blockage.

Assisted reproductive technology is also used to treat male infertility, such as:

In vitro fertilization

Your doctor retrieves sperm from ducts inside the epididymis, where sperm mature. After removing the healthiest sperm, your doctor can use them to immediately fertilize an egg in the lab or they can be frozen and stored for future use.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection

With today’s technology, your doctor can retrieve a single sperm, make sure it’s healthy, then inject it directly into your partner’s egg.

If you’re worried you may be infertile, call Advanced Urology of South Florida or book an appointment online.