Male Infertility

Infertility problems affect about 15% of all couples. This condition often results from problems in both partners. In fact, a male factor I involved in as many as half of all infertile couples. There are many possible causes of male infertility.

Overview of the Male Reproductive System:

The functions of the male reproductive system are to produce sperm and store sperm. The system also transports the sperm to the outside of the body. These 3 steps occur throughout the reproductive life of a male. This process is regulated by a number of hormones. The following diagrams will help you to understand how the male reproductive system works. The organs that produce sperm are called the testes. There are 2 testes. They are located in the scrotum, the pouch of skin that hangs from the lower abdomen below the penis. In addition to producing sperm, the testes produce the male hormone testosterone.

Sperm production begins with immature sperm cell that grow and develop within the seminiferous tubules. These are very tiny tubules located within the testes. In the semi ferrous tubules, the sperm in the testes are not yet fully mature. As a result, they are unable to move on their own.

Varicocele:

A varicocele is made up of enlarged veins within the scrotum. They are similar to varicose viens of the legs. Variceles are found in about 15% of the normal male population and in about 40% of men with infertility.

Purpose of an evaluation for a Varicocle:

Not all men with varicocels are infertile. However, most infertile men with varicocels have improvement of semen quality after varicocele repair and some infertile men with varicoceles are able to achieve a conception after varicocele repair.

Varicoceles are found by a doctor’s physical examination. Further tests, including at least tow semen analyses (sperm counts), may be performed to find out whether the varicocele is associated with infertility. Once an evaluation is complete, your doctor can tell you about treatment options that are available for your and your partner.

To the doctor, a varicocele feels like a “bag of worms” when you are in the standing position. Varicocele often seem much smaller, harder to feel or even absent in the lying (supine) position.

Only those varicoceles that the doctors can feel during a physical exam are significant. Sometimes when it is difficult to feel the varicocels, your doctor may perform an ultrasound of the scrotum.