Male Fertility & Sexual Dysfunction
/
/
Male Fertility & Sexual Dysfunction

Male Fertility at Northwest Urology

Approximately 15% of couples experience difficulty conceiving, with male subfertility contributing to nearly half of these cases. When a couple is unable to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse, they are typically advised to consult with a reproductive specialist for a fertility evaluation. Since the male partner’s initial examination is non-invasive and less expensive, he is usually evaluated first. Male subfertility can result from a variety of physical and lifestyle factors, making proper evaluation essential.

Common Male Fertility Conditions We Treat
Our urologists diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, including:

Evaluation of Male Fertility

The evaluation of male fertility begins with:

  • Thorough Medical History: Assessing past health issues, lifestyle habits, and potential risk factors.
  • Physical Examination: Identifying any physical abnormalities that could impact fertility.
  • Laboratory Testing:
    • Semen Analysis: Two separate analyses to assess sperm count, motility, and morphology.
    • Hormonal Testing: Blood tests to evaluate hormone levels critical for sperm production.

Male Sexual Dysfunction

Male sexual dysfunction encompasses a variety of conditions that can affect sexual performance, intimacy, and overall quality of life. These include erectile dysfunction (ED), the inability to achieve or maintain an erection; premature ejaculation, which is ejaculation that occurs sooner than desired; and low testosterone (hypogonadism), a hormonal imbalance that can lead to reduced libido, fatigue, and other symptoms.

Premature Ejaculation

Premature Ejaculation (PE) is a common and treatable condition that affects men of all ages. It is defined as ejaculation that occurs sooner than a man or his partner desires, often leading to frustration, anxiety, and reduced sexual satisfaction.

Premature ejaculation can be classified into two types:

  • Primary Premature Ejaculation – Present since the beginning of sexual activity.
  • Secondary Premature Ejaculation – Develops later in life after a period of normal sexual function.

Varicocele: A Common Reversible Cause of Male Subfertility

The most common reversible cause of male subfertility is varicocele, which is an abnormal dilation of the veins in the scrotum, similar to varicose veins in the legs. Varicoceles can:

  • Raise the temperature in the testes.
  • Interfere with normal sperm production and maturation.

Treatment for Varicocele

  • Surgical correction is often performed on an outpatient basis.
  • The dilated veins are blocked or divided to restore normal function.

Outcomes of Varicocele Treatment

  • Improves sperm count and motility in up to 70% of men.
  • Results in unassisted pregnancies in approximately 50% of couples.

Vasectomy

Vasectomy is a surgical procedure that results in permanent sterilization. It is generally completed in the office in less than 30 minutes using local anesthesia and mild sedation. Through small incisions, we cut and seal the vas deferens, which prevents sperm from traveling from the testes to the ejaculatory ducts. There is no noticeable change in the patient’s sexual function – including ejaculation.

Until the absence of sperm can be confirmed, men must continue to use other methods of birth control. Sterility is checked about 2 months after the vasectomy to ensure that all sperm living beyond the surgical site have been cleared.

Vasectomy Reversal

Vasectomy reversal generally requires microscopic surgery to reconnect the two ends of the vas. “Success” in vasectomy reversal is judged by two criteria: 1) patency – meaning the vas is unobstructed and sperm are present in the ejaculate and 2) pregnancy. By either criterion, the success rate of vasectomy reversal is affected by the length of time that has passed since the vasectomy, and the surgical technique used for both the vasectomy and the reversal.