Infertility

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Male infertility is a condition that is increasing in frequency.  Now it is estimated that of all infertile couples, a male component is present about half the time.  Risk factors are too numerous to list in completion, but include environmental exposures, multiple medications, alcohol/tobacco/drug use, diabetes, kidney disease, and several other medical problems.  Patients with the complaint of infertility require a thorough medical history, physical examination, 2 semen analyses, blood tests for hormonal levels and a scrotal sonogram.  Treatment of male infertility has dramatically improved with our increased understanding of the male reproductive system.  One of the more common treatable conditions is a vericocele.  A vericocele is an abnormal dilatation of the veins that drain the testicle and is seen in up to 35% of infertile men.  Vericoceles are surgically correctable and routinely repaired as an outpatient (patient goes home the same day as surgery).  Other treatments for male infertility include repair of obstructed ejaculatory ducts and sperm retrieval for in-vitro fertilization.