Every couple’s fertility journey involves the fertility of both the male and female. Infertility is often a complex problem. Before you place the blame on one partner, it’s important to know what you’re facing.
If we’ve already determined that the male partner has fertility issues, you have a lot of options. Dr. Edward J. Ramirez of The Fertility & Gynecology Center - Monterey Bay IVF explains more.
Male factor infertility is usually due to one or more of the following issues.
A low sperm count is defined as having fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. The problem is surprisingly common. Some of the causes of low sperm counts include the following:
If your partner has a low sperm count, it may be correctable, depending on the cause.
Sperm motility refers to how easily the sperm moves within the semen. If the problem is correctly identified, poor sperm motility is often correctable.
Morphology refers to the sperm’s shape. When the shape of the sperm is irregular, it makes conception more difficult. Unfortunately, the importance of sperm morphology is poorly understood, even by fertility experts. It ultimately says virtually nothing about your male partner’s ability to conceive a child.
Other causes of male factor infertility include health history, environmental causes, and prior injuries. We’ll discuss your individual case with you to provide the best course of action.
While we work on getting to the bottom of your partner’s sperm count and quality — as well as how to deal with either or both issues — he can take some steps that could improve the sperm:
He might consider taking other supplements that we can discuss.
If your male partner is infertile, you may feel panicked. But rest assured that we can take many steps to help with the problem.
The first step is to undergo testing. Your partner will have a series of tests, which usually begin with a comprehensive semen analysis.
If we determine that your partner’s semen is sufficient to proceed with conception, we can concentrate the sperm and insert it into your uterus. This procedure is called intrauterine insemination (IUI).
If we determine that your partner’s semen is not likely to result in pregnancy, we may recommend using donor sperm.
If your male partner is infertile, you may still have a lot of options. To learn about how we can help, make an appointment with us today. Call our Monterey, California office or request an appointment online.
