Male Infertility Treatment in Greensboro, NC
Many couples struggle to conceive. Statistically, about 13-15% of all couples will have fertility problems. Infertility can be caused by either partner, or even by both of them. If the male partner is the source of these issues, then this is known as a case of male infertility.
Male infertility does not mean that the man is unable to impregnate his female partner, it simply means that he has a decreased likelihood of doing so.
If you are having difficulty conceiving, contact, Dr. Luke Machen, a board-certified urologist and men’s health specialist with Alliance Urology Specialists in Greensboro, NC. Dr. Machen will take the time to discus your medical history and determine the cause of your condition and male infertility treatment. To schedule your consultation, at our men’s health clinic in Greensboro, NC, please call 336-274-1114 or request a consultation through our secure online form.
What Causes Male Infertility?
Conception is a lengthy process that requires a lot of unique events to occur in perfect order at exactly the right time. This leaves room for lots of potential problems along the way.
Problems with the Sperm
What If the Sperm are Healthy?
Even with great sperm, some men can still experience problems in conceiving a child such as having a blockage within the reproductive tract that may have been caused by a congenital or acquired defect.
Swollen veins in the scrotum called varicoceles are also thought to worsen a man’s fertility functions. These varicoceles supply the scrotum with excess blood, which overheats the scrotum and kills many of the sperm living inside.
Men who suffer from retrograde ejaculation are unable to get their sperm to the woman’s egg because instead of exiting through the urethra, the sperm is directed back into the man’s bladder. Retrograde ejaculation is caused by issues of the nervous system and is characterized by a “dry” ejaculation.
Typically, if a man is having fertility issues it can be linked back to how healthy his sperm are. Examples of abnormalities in sperm include:
- Sperm that is oddly shaped
- Sperm that is produced in small quantities
- Sperm that is unable to develop fully
- Slow sperm, or sperm that does not travel in the correct direction
- An inability to produce any sperm at all
There are several possible sources to abnormal or defective sperm. Some medications used to treat common illnesses like high blood pressure, depression, infections, arthritis, digestive diseases, or cancer can alter the sperm’s functionality.
Varicoceles are when the veins draining the blood from the testicle are more dilated than they should be. In some men, varicoceles can cause the testicle to produce fewer sperm that are poorer quality.
Low hormone levels are another potential cause of male infertility since a lack of crucial male hormones can lead to low sperm count or poor sperm growth.
Treatment for Male Infertility
In order to appropriately treat a case of male fertility, Dr. Machen will first need to diagnose the source of the problem.
This process will typically begin by checking the patient’s sperm to see if it indeed healthy or not. Typically Dr Machen will also check blood tests focusing on hormones as well. If either of these tests are low or borderline, the first step is to check a second, confirmatory lab. Sometimes additional testing may need to be done.
Again, based on the particular source of the man’s fertility issues, recommended treatment will vary. Some male infertility cases will require surgery to treat, while others will not. In order to discover the best solution for yourself and your partner, you will both need to have a thorough discussion with Dr. Machen.
Schedule Your Male Incontinence Treatment in Greensboro, NC
If you are having trouble conceiving and are seeking testing and treatment for male infertility, contact Dr. Luke Machen to schedule a consultation and discuss the cause of your infertility. To schedule your consultation at our men’s health clinic in Greensboro, NC, please call 336-274-1114 or request an appointment through our secure online form. Dr. Machen will take the time to answer any questions you may have and will determine the root cause of your condition.