Finding out you and your partner are going to have a baby can be one of the most joyous moments in your life. Unfortunately, some couples who are trying to get pregnant find that it’s either taking too long or doesn’t seem possible. This is called infertility. The Mayo Clinic reports that infertility means that a couple is unable to conceive a child after having unprotected sex frequently for a year or longer. Pregnancy seldom happens in one try, and even the healthiest of couples can take several months to a year before becoming pregnant. About 15 percent of couples are infertile, and according to research, for about one in five infertile couples, the problem lies solely in the male partner.
More than 90 percent of male infertility cases are due to low sperm counts, poor sperm quality, or both. The remaining cases of male infertility can also be caused by a range of other factors, including:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Genetic defects
- Varicocele (An enlargement of the veins within the scrotum)
- Medications
- Environmental toxins
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Sperm transport problems (Sperm Blockages)
- Sexual problems (Ejaculation and Erectile Dysfunction)
- Hormonal problems
- Underproduction of sperm (Low sperm count – fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen or a total sperm count of less than 39 million per ejaculate)
- Testicular cancer and other conditions
- Infection
- Injury
- Undescended testicle
If you and your partner have been unable to conceive a child, you probably want to know the reason why right away. It is important to know that you are not alone, and that there re many treatment methods that have been proven to help increase you and your partner’s chances of becoming pregnant. Knowledge and support can also give you the help you need to resolve male infertility.
Fellowship-trained urologist Dr. Desiderio Avila can help and treat several causes of male infertility. Some of the common treatments for male infertility include:
- Testicular sperm aspiration
- Testicular biopsy
- Epididymal sperm aspiration
- Microsurgical testicular sperm extraction
- Varicocelectomy
- Transurethral resection of ejaculatory ductus
- Trans-rectal seminal vesicle aspiration
During your consultation, Dr. Avila will explain the reasons for infertility, what treatments you are a candidate for, and most importantly which treatment will give you and your partner the best success and chance at becoming pregnant. Call Ironwood Urology at (480) 961-2323 to learn more or request an appointment online.
