What is male infertility?
Approximately 50% of infertility cases in heterosexual couples involve male reproductive issues such a low sperm count or poor sperm quality. For a successful pregnancy it is essential to test and treat infertility in male partners and single men seeking parenthood.
Evaluating and Diagnosing Male Infertility
Male infertility treatment begins with a full semen analysis to determine whether issues achieving pregnancy could be due to low sperm count or poor quality. You will provide a semen sample at the clinic or one of our partnering labs in a comfortable environment where you won’t be rushed.
After analyzing the sample we can determine whether male infertility might be a factor in your specific case, and if so, what to do next.
Sometimes treatment for male infertility can be as straightforward as a healthier lifestyle change or picking a new prescription. Sometimes it's a more complex process and requires IUI, IVF or surgery. Sometimes further evaluation and treatment requires referral to a urologist who specializes in reproduction. Whichever direction your initial testing takes you, your doctor is there to ensure you are given the best possible options for your unique needs.
To prepare sperm for IVF and IUI, part of your treatment plan may be to abstain from drinking, smoking, and drugs and to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly among other specifics you’ll discuss with your care team. If you have a hormonal imbalance that is affecting fertility your doctor may prescribe a medication to support a more normal balance.
Occasionally, treating male infertility issues such as varicocele can require surgery. Those experiencing severe oligospermia (extremely low sperm count) can benefit from sperm-harvesting techniques in combination with IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In ICSI a single high-quality sperm is separated from the semen sample and injected directly into an egg in the lab.
Is male infertility treatment right for me?
Treating male infertility is an essential element of the overall infertility treatment process. There are many avenues for achieving a successful pregnancy using your own sperm and there has been incredible success with methods such as IVF with ICSI. Our team will work to improve the quantity and quality of the sperm to give you the highest chance of pregnancy, either naturally or with assistance.
Some patients with male factor infertility elect to use a sperm donor. This can be a very emotionally challenging step to take, but your team at Utah Fertility Center will be there to support you through every decision.
Male Infertility Treatment Success With Utah Fertility Center
Male factor infertility affects 50% of couples. For this reason, semen analysis is often one of the highest-value fertility tests for catching underlying infertility issues.
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Paying for Male Infertility Treatment
Though coverage for fertility care varies widely by insurance plan, the good news is that you have options. We are committed to guiding you through your insurance benefits, out-of-pocket expenses, and other financing options every step of the way. With Utah Fertility Center you will never be in the dark about cost. To check your benefits before an initial consultation, you may want to reach out to your insurance company to see what your plan may cover.