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HEALTH
Demystifying male infertility IT’S NOT AS SCARY AS YOU MIGHT THINK
Dinah Olson
S
o you and your partner have decided you want to have a baby? For some couples this is achieved by discontinuing the use of contraception and having intercourse at the optimal time of a woman’s menstrual cycle. For other couples, despite their best effort, they do not become pregnant. If after one year of trying you’re unsuccessful, you might consider infertility. It is common for women to be the focus of attention as the source of infertility, however most professionals recommend the male partner be concurrently evaluated. Many women report their male partner as hesitant to seek care. This brief overview of the initial infertility evaluation for men is intended to demystify the process and encourage men to seek care. The first step is to schedule an office visit with your primary care provider, an urologist or a fertility specialist. The initial evaluation normally consists of a thorough review of your medical history, a physical examination and arranging for a test called a semen analysis. During the medical history the patient is asked detailed questions about their health history. This includes information spanning from birth to present, so taking some time to gather your medical,
June 2021
surgical and family history information prior to the appointment is important. Bring this information with you to your office visit. The reason to review this information is to help your healthcare provider identify factors that could contribute to infertility. Broadly speaking, these factors may create a problem making sperm or making sperm that functions properly. These factors could be congenital - meaning something you were born with - or acquired, relating to something that happened to you or systemic illness or disease process, which could be something currently affecting your health that might possibly be treatable. The majority of your visit will likely be spent on the talking part. In addition to your medical, surgical and family history, you will be asked about your lifestyle, occupation and hobbies. Other questions will pertain to how your body is functioning during intercourse. Once a thorough history is taken an examination should occur. Along with a general physical exam, there will be an exam of your genitals. The provider will check to see if the genitals appear normal. In most cases, following the history and physical exam, a semen analysis will be ordered. If the history and exam uncover particular
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