|
|
|
|
Male
Infertility |
What
is infertility?
Infertility is the inability to get pregnant after
trying for at least 1 year without using birth control.
About 15% of couples are infertile.
How often are male factors involved?
About one-third of cases of infertility are caused by
male factors alone. A combination of male and female factors
causes about one-third of cases.
What causes male infertility?
The most common cause of male infertility is a varicocele
(say: "var-ee-koh-seal"). This is when the
veins in the scrotum (the skin "sack" that
hangs beneath the penis) are dilated (enlarged) on 1
or both sides. This heats the inside of the scrotum
and may affect sperm production. A blockage in a man's
reproductive system may cause male infertility. Some
medicines can also cause infertility.
Sometimes the cause of male infertility cannot be identified.
In these cases, there may be an underlying genetic problem.
When should I see a doctor?
Usually, a couple should wait to see a doctor until after
they've tried to get pregnant for a year. However, it's
OK to see a doctor sooner, especially if the woman's age
may be a factor.
Should men be checked for infertility?
Yes. It's important to identify and treat any correctable
problems. In some men, a doctor's exam may find an underlying medical
problem that is causing the infertility.
How is infertility evaluated?
Your doctor will obtain your medical history, examine
you and test your semen at least twice. A semen analysis
can tell your doctor about your sperm count and sperm
quality. These are important parts of fertility.
More testing may be needed, depending on the results
of this first evaluation.
Is male infertility treatable?
More than one-half of cases of male infertility can be
corrected. Treatment may help a couple get pregnant through
normal sexual intercourse. Even if you can't get pregnant
in this way, you may not need expensive or invasive treatments
to get pregnant. If the man needs surgery to correct the
problem that is causing his infertility, it can be
an outpatient procedure. This means he doesn't have to
stay in the hospital overnight. |
|
|
|
|
|
