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
The doctors and staff are all great. They will go to great lengths and fight for every chance you have!
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Dr. Barad has elegant solutions to medical issues and is a skilled practitioner.
We are writing this letter of gratitude for Dr Norbert Gleicher and the entire staff at Center for Human Reproduction. My wife and I are so very thankful that we listened to Dr Gleicher's advice back on October 1st,2021 during a consultation he advised us to not allow our fertilized eggs to be discarded and killed.Our two eggs were tested and declared to be irregular by another IVF lab. We kept the eggs frozen and after 4 more failed IVF cycles came to Dr Gleicher for another try. We asked Dr Gleicher if it was worth a try to have eggs transferred into my wife and he studied the data and approved of the procedure. On February 7th,2024 we had 2 frozen eggs transferred and waited for the results.Finally later in February after the 13 day wait we were advised of blood test that confirmed that we were pregnant with an xx embryo from the transfer.XX is a girl and a huge feeling warmth and happiness overwhelmed both of us. We had several ultrasounds during the 4-5 weeks following and all were very positive with strong heartbeat and great growth, Today my wife is approaching her 18th week pregnant and all is going great with the development and follow up visits. Our baby is growing by the day and we look forward to our 20 week ultrasound for further development rate. If we had not discussed and listened to Dr Gleicher back in 2021 we would never have been so far with a pregnancy. The entire staff is wonderful and Hui Na was very helpful and communicative through the entire process with my wife. Please accept our sincere thank you and heartfelt praise for the team. Our baby is due around Oct 26th,2024 and we intend to vist to say thanks in person,we will make the trip from our home in Florida. Blessings to all.
My husband & I had an initial consultation with Dr. Barad, and were blown away by the time he spent with us & care he put into our conversation & next steps. For the first time in a long time on our infertility journey, it felt like someone actually heard us & our concerns. He's already suggested some new approaches we can take towards having a healthy pregnancy, that no other doctor ever mentioned, and we've been at this for years! The peace of mind & hope he offered alone were worth it. Would highly recommend.
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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.