April 22-28 is National Infertility Awareness Week—a week when we focus on providing support for couples who have been trying unsuccessfully to have children.
If you and your partner are struggling to conceive, you’re not alone. According to the National Institutes of Health, fertility problems affect about 11% of women and 9% of men who are of reproductive age.
At Urology Associates, we understand how stressful infertility can be. Fortunately, we are often able to treat the underlying problems that affect male fertility.
Here are some of the ways we can help:
Surgical care
A varicocele, which is an enlargement of the scrotal veins, is the most common reason for correctable infertility in men. Varicoceles can be treated with a minimally invasive procedure to repair the veins. At Urology Associates, we also perform vasectomy reversals and surgically treat blockages in the epididymis, a tube behind the testicles where sperm go after leaving the testicles.
Antibiotic treatment
Sometimes an infection in the reproductive tract can affect the sperm production and function. If that is affecting your fertility, we can prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and hopefully improve fertility. If the infection has caused scarring or blockages, you may need additional treatment as well.
Medication and Counseling
If problems such as erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation are the reason for infertility, we can prescribe medications that can help men control ejaculation and sustain an erection. We can also recommend counseling if needed.
Hormone therapy
Low sperm counts can sometimes be a result of low levels of the hormone testosterone. If that is the case, we can prescribe hormone replacement therapy to help improve fertility.
Other options
We can also advise patients on assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments, such as in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injections. We provide a continuum of care for our patients and want to help you in any way we can through the process.
Affiliated Urologists is an award-winning practice recognized both locally and nationally that has provided service to patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and surrounding communities in the Valley, for over 40 years. The physicians emphasize top-of-the-line comprehensive urological care and strive to deliver the highest outcomes for patient satisfaction. To make an appointment, call 602-264-0608 or click here.
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
