Many individuals and couples are surprised to learn that infertility affects men and women nearly equally. Yup, about 45% of all infertility cases are caused by a male factor.
At our Central New York male infertility clinics, we include comprehensive male fertility screening as one of the first steps in your fertility journey with us. Because the rate of male factor infertility is nearly equal to that of female factor infertility, it’s equally important that we test both partners. For LGBTQ+ individuals and women using donor sperm, we thoroughly screen sperm donors in the same way.
In doing so, we are able to create a more complete picture of your fertility. This allows us to create the most effective treatment plan possible for you to achieve your dreams of parenthood.
OUR MALE INFERTILITY PROGRAM
Our male fertility experts and andrology laboratory make testing and analysis easier, more accurate, and less time-consuming for our patients. Equipped with the latest diagnostic technology and operated by a specially-trained staff, our laboratory and team provide convenient, accurate results.
MALE INFERTILITY 101
Male fertility is impacted by both internal and external factors. Whether the cause of an individual case of male infertility is subtle or obvious, your reproductive endocrinologist at our Albany, Rochester, and Syracuse fertility center will be able to diagnose male infertility with ease.
- smoking
- use of recreational drugs
- obesity
- improper nutrition
- stress
- sexually transmitted disease
- advanced age
- hormonal imbalance
- genetic abnormalities
- cancer treatment (radiation, chemotherapy)
- erectile dysfunction
- azoospermia (no sperm due to physical obstruction in testicles)
- varicocele (collection of veins above the testicle)
- physical trauma to testes
- undescended testicles
MALE INFERTILITY TESTING
Our primary method of screening male fertility is through semen analysis. Through this simple test, which requires no more on your part than providing a semen sample, we are able to check a number of parameters including:
- Sperm Morphology (shape)
- Volume
- Sperm Movement (motility)
- Sperm Count (concentration)
- pH Level (acidity)
- Liquefaction
- Appearance
Semen analysis provides critical information about your fertility chances. It is scheduled at your first fertility appointment with your reproductive endocrinologist, so that we can analyze your sample together with a comprehensive review of your medical history, and your general physical exam.
Our laboratory clinicians will analyze the characteristics of your semen sample. If the analysis is abnormal, your doctor will perform a simple blood test to check for hormonal imbalances or certain genetic conditions.
MALE INFERTILITY TREATMENTS
Because sperm quality and quantity is impacted by a whole host of internal and external factors, we offer several options for treatment for men experiencing infertility.
Sometimes, the solution may be as simple as making lifestyle changes. In other cases, one or a combination of medical treatments may be recommended, including:
- Medications
- Hormonal Therapy
- Fertility Treatments
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- Surgery
- Donor Sperm
Our acclaimed male infertility program allows us to offer cutting edge fertility treatments to address the root causes of male infertility. Some of the treatments we recommend include:
IUI
A simple outpatient procedure that involves injecting sperm directly inside of an individual’s uterus during their time of ovulation in order to achieve fertilization.
IVF
Joining sperm with an egg in a laboratory dish in order to produce an embryo. 3-5 days after fertilization, embryos are placed into the woman’s womb.
ICSI
Especially useful for individuals with low sperm count and insufficient sperm motility, ICSI involves placing one single, healthy sperm directly into an egg in order to greatly increase chances of fertilization with IVF.
VARICOCELE SURGERY
An outpatient surgery with the goal of redirecting blood flow away from the varicocele and toward healthy veins.
PESA
Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA) is a simple technique used to determine information about sperm count when the vans deferens is obstructed.
MESA
Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA) is an alternative to PESA, and involved removing small samples of epididymal tissue in order to extract sperm.
TESE
Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) is a method of removing small samples of testis tissue for processing and eventual extraction of sperm.
YOUR FIRST STEP
Whether you would like to schedule a consultation with a fertility doctor or just need some basic advice, don’t hesitate to call or email us!
