What Is Male Infertility?
Male infertility refers to a man's inability to contribute to conception with a fertile female. Male infertility accounts for almost half of infertility cases. Addressing both male and female infertility simultaneously is crucial for modern infertility care, and at the Center for Human Reproduction (CHR), about 20% of couples experience male factor infertility or a combination of male and female factors. Dr. Norbert Gleicher and Dr. David H. Barad lead CHR in providing comprehensive infertility care that effectively evaluates and treats both male and female infertility.
At CHR, we have the knowledge and experience to help at least 90% of men affected by male infertility become genetic fathers. We collaborate closely with prominent urologists for cases requiring specialized male infertility expertise. Additionally, our expertise in handling complex female infertility issues, such as premature ovarian aging and diminished ovarian reserve, makes CHR a comprehensive infertility center in New York, NY for both male and female infertility concerns. With modern treatment tools, the majority of men with infertility issues can achieve fatherhood, benefiting from CHR's integrated approach to fertility care.
What Causes Male Infertility?
Male infertility can be attributed to various factors that affect the quantity and/or quality of sperm. Some common causes include blockages in the sperm's exit route, retrograde ejaculation (where semen is ejaculated backward into the bladder), and low or absent sperm production in the testes. The most prevalent cause of male infertility is low sperm count known as oligospermia. This condition is diagnosed when sperm count falls below 20 million per milliliter of semen, compared to the normal range of 20 million to 120 million per milliliter. A complete lack of sperm, known as azoospermia, is less common, affecting less than 1% of the population. Low sperm count reduces the likelihood of sperm reaching and fertilizing an egg, leading to infertility.
Several factors contribute to low sperm count, including structural issues such as obstructions in the ejaculation tract, hormonal insufficiency, testicular injuries, and genetic conditions like Klinefelter syndrome. A varicocele, which is the dilation of veins in the scrotum, can also decrease sperm count by overheating the testicles and affecting sperm production. Other causes can include certain medications and lifestyle factors. In cases of azoospermia, families may assume that having a child is impossible. However, at the Center for Human Reproduction in New York, NY, treatments are available that allow small amounts of sperm to be harvested from the testes through microsurgeries performed by CHR's affiliate urologists. These advanced procedures enable azoospermic men to become fathers, providing hope for those previously diagnosed with this condition.
How Is Male Infertility Treated?
Treatment for male infertility varies greatly, depending on the severity of the sperm issue. For mild cases, artificial insemination, also known as intrauterine insemination (IUI), may be sufficient. During an IUI cycle, the semen sample is prepared and concentrated in the laboratory before being injected directly into the uterus, which can often overcome male infertility by increasing the concentration of sperm and delivering it closer to the egg. In more severe cases, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is often the best option. IVF for male infertility includes a procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg. For the most severe cases of male infertility, such as azoospermia (complete absence of sperm), our infertility specialists in New York, NY collaborate with highly specialized urology colleagues who perform procedures like testicular sperm extraction (TESE) or testicular biopsy to retrieve sperm directly from the testes. These retrieved sperm can then be used in ICSI to fertilize the woman's eggs during an IVF cycle.
ICSI has revolutionized the treatment of male infertility, making it possible for many men with severe male factor infertility to become genetic fathers. While some urologists may recommend surgery to treat male infertility caused by structural problems, like varicoceles or a past vasectomy, these surgeries often have limited success in restoring natural fertility. Fertility specialists typically prioritize treatments that enable spontaneous conception over those that simply improve sperm quality. Therefore, IVF with ICSI remains a more reliable approach for achieving pregnancy in cases of severe male infertility.
Center For Human Reproduction Reviews
My journey started in 2018 when I went to another fertility doctor. I went through 3 IUI's which were not successful. Then went through 1 IVF cycle after PGS testing which failed in a miscarriage July of 2018. The doctor then went on saying I should consider donor egg as I was not going to be able to conceive with my own eggs. In looking for a second opinion that November my best friend and I stumbled into a video where Dr. Gliecher was speaking to help women past 35-40 get pregnant with their own eggs. I made a consultation appointment for Dec 5th 218 and Dr G stated I was going to get pregnant with my own egg. He ran tests and modified my treatment to my need. I had a retrieval on 2/3/2019 and transferred on 2/7/2019. I was pronounced pregnant on 2/19/2019 and my CHR miracle was born October of 2019. Today she is 5yrs old and is the most beautiful smart healthy loving kiddo I have been blessed by being her mother.
I have already had multiple rounds of IVF that were not successful. I knew about the office from a famous book about fertility. The consultation with Dr.Barad was the best consultation I have had so far. He is very compassionate, talked to us as human beings and actually tried to get to know us and what we do. Not only that he also explained everything well to us and is very knowledgeable. He was so patient with my many questions and he also addressed my concern about one of my hormones that no other doctor paid attention to, even when I pointed it out to them. He explained the importance of fixing it and how to fix it. I am hopeful as he didn’t rush us into doing another round like other doctors do and wanted to fix my problem first even though I feel like I am on a time crunch. I appreciate his time as he spent almost two hours with us on the consultation and I don’t want to have crazy expectations but I am hopeful. Let’s hope the rest goes well and God is on our side. Thank you Dr.Barad
My husband and I are beyond grateful to the incredible team at the Center of Human Reproduction for helping us achieve the pregnancy of our adorable baby boy. What truly sets this team apart is their personalized approach to each patient and couple. They took the time to understand our unique circumstances, tailoring a plan that was not only effective but also made us feel supported every step of the way. Infinite thanks to Dr. Barad and the team for their expertise and compassionate care, our dream of becoming parents has come true. We wholeheartedly recommend the Center of Human Reproduction to anyone on their fertility journey. Thank you for making our dream a reality!
CHR was the answer to our prayers! They actually made our dream come true! Thanks to all the doctors, nurses, biologists and administrative support for everything!!
I’ve gone to many fertility clinics over the course of 5 years. CHR is without a doubt the best in the business. Their expertise, Dr Barad’s compassion, organization, nurses, billing, phlebotomists are all top notch. I had 0 eggs fertilize elsewhere and 100% fertilization at CHR. If that’s not proof of their protocol and labs quality, then I don’t know what is. You are in great hands with CHR.
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Why Choose CHR to Address Male Infertility?
Male infertility is a complex issue, but with specialized care and proper treatment, many men can achieve their dream of fatherhood. At the Center for Human Reproduction, Dr. Gleicher and Dr. Barad offer comprehensive treatment for both male and female infertility, recognizing that many couples face challenges on both sides. Our experienced team of infertility specialists is equipped to handle even the most severe cases of male infertility with a success rate of helping 90% of affected men become genetic fathers. With our specialized experience in addressing complex female infertility issues, CHR is your one-stop infertility center. If you or your partner are struggling with infertility, we encourage you to reach out to CHR today for a personalized consultation and take the first step toward building your family.