Male Fertility
Male Fertility Services
Male infertility is a common issue that affects approximately 10-15% of couples trying to conceive. Approximately 50% of all infertility cases are due to male infertility, making a comprehensive evaluation important to determine the cause and guide the selection of appropriate treatment options. At Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility, our goal is to provide personalized care to help our patients bring home a healthy baby.
Reproductive Urologist Partners
At RGI, we have established partnerships with expert local male reproductive urologists, including in-network Progyny providers, Summa Health and Posterity Health.
All patients needing reproductive urology will receive a list of partner providers to choose from.
Male Fertility Assessment (Sperm)
We provide a thorough fertility assessment which includes an evaluation of your reproductive health and fertility history.
The first step in assessing sperm health is a semen analysis and baseline assessment. Our evaluation includes:
- In-clinic semen analysis
- If needed, a referral for a telehealth or in-person appointment with a male fertility urology specialist
- Access to digital male fertility education materials
- Lifestyle and behavior recommendations to improve sperm quality
Male Fertility Workup
For males with an abnormal semen analysis, we may refer you to a reproductive urologist for a Male Fertility Workup which provides a comprehensive and personalized approach to evaluating reproductive health.
This workup with Posterity Health includes:
- Initial evaluation
- Physical exam or ultrasound
- Treatment plan
- Bloodwork
After the initial evaluation, your male fertility specialist will determine if and what additional diagnostic testing may be necessary to create a personalized treatment plan. The initial evaluation can be completed either in-person or virtually.
A Wide Range of Male Fertility Services
At RGI, we offer a range of male fertility services for all patients, including:
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) Consult
- Second Opinions
- Fertility Preservation (Sperm Freezing)
- Gender Affirmation Care
- Percutaneous surgical sperm retrieval for IVF (PESA or TESE)
- Testicular Microdissection
- Vasectomy Reversal
- Varicocele and Bilateral Varicocele Repairs
Male Infertility FAQ
Male fertility evaluations are generally effective in identifying potential causes of infertility. Semen analysis is a particularly useful tool for evaluating male fertility, as it can provide information about sperm count, motility, and morphology. However, it is important to note that there may be cases where no specific cause of male infertility can be identified, and the cause of infertility may be multifactorial or related to factors such as age or genetics.
Treatment options for male infertility will depend on the underlying cause of the condition. For example, lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking or losing weight may be recommended for cases where these factors are contributing to infertility. Other treatment options may include medications to increase sperm production, surgical procedures to correct blockages or abnormalities in the reproductive system, or assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Male infertility is typically diagnosed through a combination of physical exams, semen analysis, and blood tests to evaluate hormone levels. Imaging studies such as ultrasounds or MRI may also be used to evaluate the reproductive system.
A man should seek a fertility evaluation if he and his partner have been trying to conceive for over a year without success. Additionally, if there are any concerns about sperm health or infertility, a male fertility evaluation is recommended.
In many cases, there may be no obvious symptoms of male infertility. However, some potential signs include difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, pain or swelling in the testicles, or a decrease in sexual desire.
Male infertility can be caused by a variety of factors including low sperm count, poor sperm motility or movement, abnormal sperm shape, hormonal imbalances, and blockages or damage to the reproductive system. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, drug or alcohol use, obesity, and exposure to environmental toxins can also contribute to male infertility.
Male infertility is a relatively common issue, affecting approximately 10-15% of couples trying to conceive.