Male infertility affects about a third of couples who experience infertility. Infertility can be caused by injuries, hormone disorders, varicoceles (enlarged veins in the testicles), and other conditions. When your urologist determines the cause of your infertility, you and your doctor can determine the best treatment to help you and your partner conceive.
If you’re worried about future fertility, your urologist can also help with family planning. Our doctors can help store your sperm for future children, or can perform a vasectomy if you choose to not have children in the future.
At University of Miami Health System, our experienced urologists offer comprehensive care to treat infertility and help you plan for your future.
Treatments
Hormone Therapy
Men with hormone disorders may benefit from hormone therapy. Adjusting hormone levels can help with infertility.
Fertility Preservation (Sperm Banking)
If you have concerns about future fertility, you can use sperm banking to save your sperm to use later. You can have your sperm collected and frozen in a lab until you’re ready to start a family.
No-Scalpel Vasectomy
If choose not to have children, you may have a no-scalpel vasectomy to close off the vas deferens (the tube that allows sperm to travel from the testicles to the ureter). This nonsurgical vasectomy uses two small punctures (no incisions) to close off the vas deferens and prevent sperm from leaving the body.
Vasectomy Reversal
In some instances, men who’ve previously had a vasectomy can have the procedure reversed. During a vasectomy reversal, your urologist reconnects the vas deferens with microsurgery, a technique that uses tiny instruments and a microscope to restore normal function.
Surgery
Many urological surgeries can help improve the flow of sperm by removing blockages or varicoceles (enlarged veins in the testicles).
Intrauterine Injection (IUI)
Your doctor can take a sample of your sperm and inject it directly into your partner’s uterus. This procedure can help when sperm have low motility (limited movement) or you have a low sperm count.
In-vitro Fertilization (IVF)
This procedure combines sperm and an egg in a lab to create an embryo, which is placed in a woman’s uterus.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
During this type of in-vitro fertilization, a healthy sperm is injected directly into an egg to create an embryo for uterine placement.
Microdissection Testicular Sperm Extraction
During this procedure, you are under general anesthesia. Your urologist will take sperm directly from your testicles to use in an IVF procedure.
Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration
For this procedure, your urologist removes sperm from your body using a needle. The collected sperm can be used in IVF procedures.
Tests
Hormone Tests
Your doctor may check your hormone levels with a blood test. Low hormone levels may affect your ability to create sperm.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the inside of your body. Your doctor may use an ultrasound to look for physical problems with your reproductive organs that can affect fertility.
Diagnostic Semen Analysis
A semen analysis helps your doctor determine the quality of your semen. It tests your sperm count, motility (sperm’s ability to move), morphology (sperm shape), and more to assess your ability to reproduce.
Testing for Retrograde Ejaculation
If you have low semen volume, your doctor may test for retrograde ejaculation (when semen goes into the bladder instead of the urethra). For this test, your doctor collects a urine sample following ejaculation to check for sperm.
Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing
This test checks for fragmented DNA in your sperm sample, which may mean your sperm has a low chance of fertilizing an egg.
Sperm Aneuploidy Testing
This lab analysis checks your sperm’s DNA for the number of chromosomes. If a large number of your sperm have too many or too few chromosomes, it may make it difficult for you and your partner to conceive.
Testicular Biopsy
A testicular biopsy takes a small sample of your testicle tissue to help your doctor determine the cause of infertility.
Why Choose UHealth?
Innovative, expert urology care at the Desai Sethi Urology Institute. Our team of urology experts delivers advanced care for all urologic conditions. We use the latest research and the least invasive procedures to help you feel better and recover more quickly. Our experienced urologists design a personalized treatment plan to give you the best possible results.
Leaders in robotic surgery treatment. We have some of the world’s most experienced robotic surgeons for urologic procedures. In fact, doctors come from all over the world to learn at our Urology Robotic Program — the #1 ranked program in South Florida. The University of Miami Health System was the first academic medical center in the world to get the da Vinci Xi robotic surgery system and has completed more than 5,000 robotic surgeries — procedures that offer less pain and scarring and a faster recovery.
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