It’s estimated that up to one-third of all fertility complications suffered by couples is related to a male factor. A simple way to categorize male fertility barriers is to divide problems into obstructive and non-obstructive problems. Obstructive problems indicate a blockage somewhere in the male reproductive tract from the testicle all the way into the urethra. Most obstructions can be surgically repaired. Non-obstructive problems indicate an impairment in sperm production.
The UCLA Men’s Clinic evaluates male fertility with
A semen analysis looks for:
Two normal semen analyses are typically required to rule out significant infertility problems.
Hormonal imbalances in men can also affect a man’s fertility. Testosterone is critical to improving sperm function and production. Low testosterone levels therefore can negatively impact sperm production and be a sign of overall poor health.
Jun 07, 2017
Dr. Jesse Mills -- Dr. Jesse Mills, clinical professor of urology and director of The Men’s Clinic at UCLA, explained male factor infertility June 7 on the Huffington Post’s “IVFML: A Podcast About Infertility,” a miniseries in which senior editor Anna Almendrala and her husband, Simon Ganz, discuss infertility, miscarriage and IVF as they share the story of their journey toward parenthood. Mills is featured in Episode 4: The Blame Game.
What causes male infertility?
Chinese Medical Journal |
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Male infertility: lifestyle factors and holistic, complementary, and alternative therapies. |
If, following irregular semen analyses, you’ve been diagnosed with infertility, your UCLA physician will first discuss potential lifestyle changes that could improve your chances of conceiving. Weight loss, a protein-rich, low sugar, high fruit and vegetable diet and sensible exercise program are all good ways for a man to improve his own fertility. Your UCLA Men’s Clinic physician can provide you with tips to be successful in lifestyle modification.
If a man’s reproductive hormones are abnormal, he may be a candidate for hormonal therapies that can improve fertility chances and often improve overall health.
If a man has non-obstructive azoospermia, he may still have sperm in very small quantities in the testicle. He therefore may be a candidate for a microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (Micro-TESE). (link once this content is added) This is a highly technical procedure only a handful of microsurgeons perform nationally. At The Men's Clinic at UCLA, our physicians are highly skilled in this procedure and can maximize the chances of successful sperm retrieval and pregnancy.
Board-certified urologists staff The Men’s Clinic at UCLA and you can be assured you are getting an experienced physician performing your evaluation in a relaxed and comfortable environment. For more information and to schedule an appointment, please call the UCLA Urology Appointment line at (310) 794-7700.