To meet with our male infertility specialist, contact our Roseville clinic in Northern California to schedule a consultation.
Northern California Fertility Medical Center
1130 Conroy Lane, Suite #100
Roseville, CA 95661
Phone: (866) 714-2492
Enter here to view videos of our doctors discussing key topics about the treatment of infertility.
Male Infertility Myths and Facts
There are a number of commonly held beliefs about how to improve your ability to conceive. Here is the fact and fiction about male infertility:
Myth:
Wearing tight underwear prevents sperm production.
Fact:
This myth is based in the fact that optimal sperm production temperature is about one degree cooler than normal body temperature. However, there is no evidence to prove that wearing boxers instead of briefs will improve your fertility. Wear what you find most comfortable.
Myth:
Certain foods will make you more fertile.
Fact:
There is no special diet or specific food that will improve fertility. However, good overall health does contribute to fertility, so eat a balanced and nutritious diet and get a healthy amount of exercise to maximize your chances of conception.
Myth:
Alcohol must be avoided entirely when trying to conceive.
Fact:
Although it does not pose any health problems to abstain from alcohol (and women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should not drink), evidence shows that alcohol consumed in moderation is not likely to affect a man’s fertility. Drinking more than one or two drinks in a 24 hour period, however, may not only reduce sperm production, but can increase the chances of defects in the fetus or early miscarriage.
Other Facts to be Aware of:
The use of tobacco, as well as marijuana, steroids, and other illicit substances, has been shown to trigger the production of abnormal sperm and reduce sperm concentration. These should be avoided.
Jacuzzis, saunas, and hot baths raise the scrotal temperature to a level that is not conducive to sperm production and should be avoided while trying to conceive. Hot showers, on the other hand, are fine, as the testes are not submerged.
Certain medications may inhibit fertility, so it is important during a fertility assessment to discuss with your doctor any prescription or over-the-counter medications that you are taking.
For roughly one-third of couples that have a fertility problem, the complication results from some type of male factor infertility. Approximately another third of couples have both male- and female-based problems. Therefore, it is important to assess both partners when attempting to identify the source of infertility. The good news about male infertility, treated at our Roseville practice in Northern California by Dr. John E. Gould, is that it is generally reversible and, even in severe cases, can almost always be overcome through assisted reproductive technologies.
Potential causes of male infertility include environmental, lifestyle, endocrine (hormonal), and physical factors that may influence the production, quality, or transfer of sperm. Once these factors are identified, they are usually relatively easy to address and correct.
An environmental factor generally refers to exposure to harmful chemicals in the workplace. Lifestyle issues may include such things as poor diet, regular heavy consumption of alcohol (more than one or two drinks in a 24 hour period), use of tobacco or illicit drugs, or frequent use of hot tubs or saunas. All of these are known to negatively affect the production and quality of sperm. If one or a combination of these factors is found to be the reason for infertility, we can reverse the problem by helping you to take the steps to remove the factor that is causing it.
Although not as common as other problems, a hormonal imbalance is another potential cause of male infertility that we consider at our Roseville practice in Northern California. Because hormones control not only the production and maturation of sperm, but also the sex drive, hormone levels that are too high or too low can make it very difficult to conceive. In some cases, hormones may be regulated through medication. In others, if the source of the hormonal imbalance can be identified and corrected, the problem will disappear.
Physical problems can also cause male infertility. Physical complications include blockages in the seminal tract, varicocele (an enlargement of certain veins which increases heat and reduces sperm production), and any genetic or medical condition that prevents sperm from being produced or delivered normally. Although physical problems are typically more complex and varied than other causes of male infertility, medical technology has made it possible to treat or overcome almost all of physical impediments through either medication, surgery, or assisted reproductive technologies.
An assessment of male infertility generally involves a complete physical exam with a review of the patient's full medical history, a semen analysis, and sometimes hormonal evaluations. In order to get an accurate assessment, the semen analysis or hormonal tests may need to be done as many as three or more times, over a period of two or three weeks. This is because normal fluctuations can occur that may skew results and lead to an inaccurate diagnosis if only one sample is taken.
During the physical examination, the genitals will be examined for signs of swelling, tenderness, or abnormalities. The doctor will also assess the patient’s overall health and discuss personal and family medical history. It is extremely important to be honest and thorough during this discussion in order to be sure that any and all potential causes of infertility are identified.
The semen analysis will address the volume of ejaculate, concentration (number) of sperm cells, and the level of normal sperm motility (movement) and morphology (shape). The information gathered during this analysis will supply important clues as to the degree and source of male infertility problems.
The most effective treatment for male factor infertility is dependent on the source of the problem. Depending on the results of the fertility assessment, the doctor will recommend lifestyle changes, medication, surgical treatment, or assisted reproductive techniques. The important thing to remember is that the technology that is available today makes it possible for men who could not have children of their own in the past to become biological fathers. Male infertility is a highly manageable condition with current medical treatment.
There are a number of circumstances in which a man who had previously decided not to have any more children may change his mind. Vasectomy reversal is an option for men who would like to have their fertility restored after undergoing a past surgical sterilization. To learn more about how this procedure is performed and what you can expect, visit our vasectomy reversal page.
If you have further questions or would like to schedule a consultation with our male infertility specialist, please contact Northern California Fertility Medical Center in Roseville today.