Male Infertility Treatment in Sarasota, FL
What is Male Infertility?
One-third of all infertility problems are caused by the male partner. Though fertility can be seen as a woman’s issue, it’s vital that both men and women get tested if a couple is struggling to conceive.
Dr. Daniel Kaplon provides comprehensive testing and treatment for patients experiencing symptoms of male infertility at his urology clinic in Sarasota, FL. If you are having trouble conceiving and would like more information on male infertility treatment, please call (941) 917-5400 to schedule your appointment with board-certified urologist Dr. Kaplon today.
What Are Causes of Male Infertility?
A man can be infertile for a number of reasons, including:
- STDs – If chlamydia and gonorrhea are left untreated, they can cause infertility in men.
- Hormonal Imbalances – Hormonal imbalances in the pituitary and thyroid glands can cause infertility. Luckily, hormonal imbalances that cause infertility can be treated with medication.
- Blockages or birth defects – It is possible for men to be born with blockages in the testicles. The blockages can prevent sperm from getting into the semen.
- Retrograde ejaculation – Retrograde ejaculation is a disorder where semen doesn’t come out of the penis during ejaculation. Instead, it enters the bladder. This can be caused by diabetes, medications and bladder surgery.
- Excessive exercise – Excessive exercise can lead to a man over-producing too many steroid hormones, which affect fertility.
- Heat Exposure – Taking too many hot baths, sitting with a laptop directly on the lap and sitting in a sauna can affect fertility in men. However, most sperm production is repaired shortly after being exposed to heat.
- Drug Use – Drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine can reduce sperm production.
Problems with the Sperm
Typically, if a man is having fertility issues it can be linked back to how healthy his sperm are. Examples of abnormalities in sperm include:
- Sperm that is oddly shaped
- Sperm that is produced in small quantities
- Sperm that is unable to develop fully
- Slow sperm, or sperm that does not travel in the correct direction
- An inability to produce any sperm at all
There are several possible sources to abnormal or defective sperm. Some medications used to treat common illnesses like high blood pressure, depression, infections, arthritis, digestive diseases, or cancer can alter the sperm’s functionality.
Low hormone levels are another potential cause of male infertility since a lack of crucial male hormones can lead to low sperm count or poor sperm growth.
There have also been cases wherein the antibodies in a man’s body mistakenly attack the sperm. It is not clear as to what causes the antibodies to perceive the sperm as a threat, but immunological infertility is typically seen in those recovering from a surgery, injury, or type of infection.
What If the Sperm are Healthy?
Even with great sperm, some men can still experience problems in conceiving a child such as having a blockage within the reproductive tract that may have been caused by a congenital or acquired defect.
Swollen veins in the scrotum called varicoceles are also thought to worsen a man’s fertility functions. These varicoceles supply the scrotum with excess blood, which overheats the scrotum and kills many of the sperm living inside.
Men who suffer from retrograde ejaculation are unable to get their sperm to the woman’s egg because instead of exiting through the urethra, the sperm is directed back into the man’s bladder. Retrograde ejaculation is caused by issues of the nervous system and is characterized by a “dry” ejaculation.
How is Male Infertility Diagnosed?
If you and your partner are struggling to conceive, the first thing to do is see a urologist. Dr. Kaplon will do a physical exam and a semen analysis. If both exams come back normal, the physician will suggest further testing based on what they find appropriate.
How is Male Infertility Treated?
In order to appropriately treat a case of male fertility, Dr. Kaplon will first need to diagnose the source of the problem.
This process will typically begin by checking the patient’s sperm to see if it indeed healthy or not. If the exact cause is still unclear after this initial investigation then further tests will need to be conducted to determine what is preventing the sperm from reaching or properly fertilizing the partner’s egg.
Schedule a Consultation for Male Infertility Treatment in Sarasota, FL
Dr. Daniel Kaplon is a board-certified urologist dedicated to providing the highest level of care through state-of-the-art technologies and highly skilled experience. Dr. Kaplon will take the time to evaluate your symptoms and determine what treatment will be best for your and your condition. To schedule a consultation at our urology clinic in Sarasota, FL, please call (941) 917-5400 and discuss the treatment options for male infertility.