Don’t forget about the guys – Evaluating male infertility
Many people think that infertility is only a female issue, but our San Antonio fertility doctors know that male infertility is responsible for 40-50% of infertility cases. Although male infertility is common, it is also treatable. This is why our fertility specialists stress the importance of thoroughly evaluating male infertility to develop an effective treatment plan.
The process of evaluating male infertility
Most cases of male infertility are due to abnormalities in sperm production or function. Our San Antonio fertility specialists begin the process of evaluating male infertility by taking a thorough medical history. This involves asking questions about your health history, including whether you have any chronic illnesses, sexually transmitted diseases, or have undergone any surgeries, such as a varicocele repair or a vasectomy. They will also ask about your family history, lifestyle factors that could affect your fertility and whether you’ve fathered any children.
The next step involves providing a semen sample for semen analysis. The andrologists at our laboratory will evaluate your sample for sperm volume, concentration (number of sperm per volume of semen), motility (sperm movement), size and shape.
If your semen analysis reveals an abnormal sperm count, our San Antonio fertility doctors may recommend blood work to assess your hormone levels. In some cases, we may refer you to a local urologist for further male fertility evaluation and testing.
After the male fertility evaluation
If our San Antonio fertility doctors diagnose you with male infertility, they will work with you and your partner to develop an individualized fertility treatment plan. Texas Fertility Center – San Antonio offers a variety of effective treatment options.
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves inserting sperm into your partner’s uterus using a thin, flexible catheter. This process gives the sperm a head-start to help promote fertilization.
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a wonderful treatment option for men who have more severe infertility. During the fertilization step of IVF, our embryologists can inject your sperm directly into your partner’s eggs to increase the likelihood that fertilization will occur.
If you and your partner are struggling to conceive, contact our San Antonio fertility doctors for an appointment. Male infertility is common, but you can overcome it with the right diagnosis and treatment.