photo taken from news.medill.northwestern.edu
The issue regarding infertility is not only exclusive to women. This reproductive problem can also afflict the male population too. In fact, 10 to 15% of couples experience this condition. Men who suffer from sterility will have a 10 to 15% chance of getting azoospermia or the complete absence of sperm cells in the male semen. Nowadays, this type of male infertility disorder affects about 1% of the general male population.
Prior to choosing the right treatment, a specialist needs to confirm the diagnosis by performing a male infertility test. The specialist first performs a physical exam and checks the patient’s medical history. This is then followed by two individual semen tests; these tests may include blood work to find out if there are any genetic issues, hormone imbalances or medical conditions. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient is then presented with various male infertility treatment options.
The treatment for male sterility varies according to the root cause and the severity of the illness. Men infertility cases can be easily remedied through various types of medical interventions. Infertility treatments can come in various forms.
If the infertility is caused by an infection, the patient is recommended to take antibiotics while other cases can be treated through surgical correction. Such types of surgical procedures may involve the removal of a varicocele or the correction of a duct obstruction. Some patients are also asked to take fertility pills to increase sperm production.
Yet, for those who have worse cases, more sophisticated medical treatments are used. These patients may undergo intracytoplasmatic sperm injections (ICSI), in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI).
IUI, which is one commonly used male infertility treatment, involves the transfer of the sperm to the female’s uterus. IVF is used when the latter treatment is unsuccessful or if there is a problem with female infertility. ICSI, on the other hand, is actually a part of the in vitro fertilization treatment. It involves the injection of a single sperm to an egg. If there is no trace of sperm during ejaculation, the doctor may need to take a sperm sample directly from the bladder or testicles and inject to the womb in order to fertilize an egg.
There are instances when the mentioned infertility treatment options are either unsuccessful or unavailable. When one of two cases occur, the doctor may advise the patient and his partner to consider getting a sperm donor or adopting a child as an alternative to starting a family.
Tags: Infertility treatment, Male infertility, male infertility test, male infertility treatment
