Fertility treatments for men can help make the dream of parenthood come true

Sometimes, fertility treatment for men is necessary to help a couple welcome a baby. Problems with sperm production and function cause approximately 30% to 35% of the infertility cases that our Austin fertility doctors see at Texas Fertility Center (TFC). Another 15% to 20% of cases are a combination of abnormalities in both the male and the female partner. This means about half of the couples we treat have some form of male infertility. Thankfully, fertility treatments for men can often help overcome these issues.

Starting the treatment process with an evaluation

As part of a standard infertility evaluation for a couple, our Austin fertility doctors perform testing of the male partner. This testing starts with a medical and family history and a semen analysis. The history provides critical information about a man’s reproductive health. The semen analysis assesses sperm count, motility (movement) and morphology (shape).

This information occasionally prompts our fertility specialists to order additional investigative tests. Some examples include hormone testing, antisperm antibody testing, or other more highly specialized tests of the man’s semen. If our physicians suspect a significant male factor, then they will usually refer the men to a local urologist. These doctors specialize in male fertility. Working together, our unbeatable team of female and male fertility specialists will make the right diagnosis and then recommend the right fertility treatments for men.

TFC offers a wealth of fertility treatments for men

Just as with female treatment, there are many male fertility treatment options available. Our Austin fertility doctors offer highly effective fertility treatments that range from basic options, to more advanced fertility intervention.

• Medical treatment with Clomid isn’t just for female patients, as it has similar effects in men. This medication binds to receptors in the part of the brain known as the hypothalamus. In response, the hypothalamus sends a signal to the pituitary gland, resulting in an increases in the production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). In men, FSH can increase sperm production and LH can increase testosterone production.
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI) for male infertility involves injecting washed and prepared sperm into the female partner’s uterus using a catheter (a thin tube). This treatment concentrates the viable sperm. Then, it gives the sperm a head start, getting them closer to the egg around the time of ovulation.
• In vitro fertilization (IVF) for male infertility is one of the fertility treatments for men that includes several steps. After the female partner undergoes ovarian stimulation and eggs are retrieved from her ovaries, our IVF lab will combine the eggs and sperm in a petri dish. After fertilization, the team will monitor the growth of the embryos. One of our doctors will then transfer a single embryo into the female partner’s uterus.
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with IVF for male infertility helps promote fertilization in the lab. During this procedure, which was designed for men with very low sperm counts, an embryologist isolates a single healthy appearing sperm and then injects one sperm into each egg. This is an excellent treatment option. It has enabled thousands of men with sperm counts far too low for a successful natural conception to conceive healthy babies.
• Donor sperm can help if a man has a sperm count that is too low to achieve pregnancy. Some men also select this option to avoid passing on a genetic disorder to their children.

Find hope with fertility care for men at TFC

At TFC, we offer the entire range of fertility treatments for men, which can often help even the most severe cases. Our Austin fertility doctors will work very closely with your urologist to ensure that you are receiving the best possible treatment for your condition.

Contact us to learn more about how treatment can help you overcome male infertility and grow your family.