Male Factor Infertility

Male factor infertility (MFI) is believed to play some role in between 30 – 50% of all cases where couples are having trouble conceiving. There can be a variety of underlying factors that contribute to male factor infertility and the reality is that some may augur a deep, concerning issue with the man’s health. Thus, male factor infertility may be a symptom of something else that’s troubling that needs to be addressed.

What’s more, while IVF used with the fertilization technique of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) may lead to a birth, oftentimes less invasive and less costly approaches can deliver the same result.

However, to properly characterize the underlying issue and take into account alternative approaches to IVF, men must be seen by a urologist (preferably with fertility experience), who are trained in the male anatomy. The reality is male factor infertility is often detected by reproductive endocrinologists, who are fertility doctors, but they are OBGYNs with differing educational backgrounds and occasionally differing priorities.

In this course, we’ll cover a number of crucial subjects including:

· Differentiating between a reproductive endocrinologist and reproductive urologist

· How to read and interpret the semen analysis

· The basics of IUI and IVF in the context of male factor infertility

· How lifestyle factors can impact a man’s fertility

· How to identify and treat varicocele

· The classifications and challenges in treating azoospermia

· The use of exogenous testosterone and other hormone imbalances

· The impact of advanced paternal age on fertility and offspring