What is male infertility?
Approximately 50% of infertility cases in heterosexual couples involve 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, single men seeking parenthood, and anyone who produces sperm.
At PNWF, we recognize that not everyone with sperm identifies as male, and we are committed to providing affirming, comprehensive care for people of all identities.
Evaluating and diagnosing male infertility
Your infertility treatment will begin 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 one of our clinics in a comfortable environment where you won’t be rushed.
After analyzing the sample we can discuss whether sperm quality might be a factor in your specific case, and if so, what to do next.
Sometimes treatment can be as straightforward as a healthier lifestyle change or picking a new prescription. In certain cases, it's a more complex process and requires IUI, IVF, or surgery. Further evaluation and treatment may require 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.
PNWF works closely with Dr. Kevin A. Ostrowski, a board-certified urologist and Seattle Met Top Doctor based at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland. We are proud to collaborate with Dr. Ostrowki to develop male infertility treatment plans and offer the highest level of care for your growing family.
To prepare sperm for IVF and IUI, part of your treatment plan may be to abstain from drinking, smoking, and drugs. Additionally, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. There may be 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 more acute issues such as varicocele can require surgery. Those experiencing 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 sperm quality or quantity issues is an essential element of fertility treatment. 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. For some this can be an emotionally challenging step to take. Your team at Pacific Northwest Fertility will be there to support you through every decision.
Male Infertility Treatment Success With Pacific Northwest Fertility
Sperm quality is a factor for nearly half of all couples with infertility. Because of this, semen analysis is one of the highest-value fertility tests you can take.
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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 Pacific Northwest Fertility you will never be in the dark about cost.
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There are many potential causes. Your semen analysis will give us more information so you and your doctor can move forward with treatment options. Some potential test results:
Low sperm count: Less than 16 million sperm per milliliter of semen is considered a low sperm count. While your sperm count naturally declines with age, there can be many other contributing factor both medical and environmental that your doctor will want to assess.
Poor quality sperm: Sperm that doesn’t survive the typical lifespan of 5 days or has low motility is considered poor quality. This can be due to both genetic and medical factors as well as environmental factors.
Azoospermia: This is a condition where the semen doesn’t contain any sperm. It affects 1% of people with sperm.
Varicocele: This condition involves an enlargement of the veins in the scrotum which causes issues with temperature regulation of the testicles and can affect the quality of sperm.
Hormonal imbalance: There are a number of hormones that affect fertility, including testosterone. Hormonal imbalance can stem from many different systems in the body.
Environmental factors: Many larger environmental factors and lifestyle choices affect fertility. Drinking, smoking, and drug use can lower sperm count and affect quality. Your doctor and support team are there to discuss ways to promote fertility day-to-day which can make a huge difference on your path to a healthy pregnancy. Be sure to review any medications you are taking with your provider.