We can help you overcome male infertility
Male infertility causes about 40% of conception challenges, but our Virginia fertility center team can help men and couples move past it. The combination of comprehensive testing and effective treatment allows Fady Sharara MD and his team to help patients fulfill their dream of parenthood.
The causes of male infertility
While there are numerous issues that cause male fertility challenges, most relate to sperm.
- Abnormally shaped sperm with poor mobility
- Poor sperm quality
- Sperm that cannot penetrate the egg
- Low sperm count
- Azoospermia, a condition where a male’s ejaculation does not contain sperm
Our Virginia fertility center helps men discover why they’re experiencing male infertility using a series of tests.
Reviewing male fertility evaluations
Getting an accurate diagnosis ensures that Dr. Sharara can develop a treatment plan that gives a patient the best chance of achieving pregnancy success. He assesses a man’s fertility health with a variety of tests.
- Semen analysis. After reviewing the patient’s medical history, Dr. Sharara orders two semen analyses. If certain abnormalities are present, he may refer the man to a urologist for further testing.
- Genetic testing. A low sperm count or the absence of sperm not due to a blockage may indicate chromosomal abnormalities. Genetic testing helps determine whether this is the cause of a man’s fertility challenges.
- Hormone evaluation. The hormone evaluation consists of a blood test that typically measures follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin. These hormones affect a man’s sperm production and sexual function.
- Specialized exams. In the case of unexplained male infertility, we may utilize specialized exams to gain more detailed information.
After reviewing the results, our Virginia fertility center team works with patients to create an effective treatment plan.
Treatments for male fertility issues
Once Dr. Sharara has discovered why a man is having fertility struggles, he can recommend one or more of the following treatments that can help overcome male fertility challenges.
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). ICSI consists of an embryologist injecting a single live sperm into the center of a mature egg during an IVF cycle.
- IVF with microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA). This technique involves the collection of sperm from men who can produce, but cannot ejaculate, sperm.
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI). An IUI is a simple procedure that involves a fertility doctor inserting sperm into the female patient’s uterus. This can be an effective treatment in the face of antisperm antibodies, a low sperm count or low sperm motility.
- IVF with donor sperm. If a man’s sperm is not viable, patients can use donor sperm to fertilize the egg during an IVF cycle.
Our clinic helps men and women select the treatments that will give them the best chance of developing a healthy pregnancy. Contact us to learn more about male fertility issues.
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