CRM’s Infertility Guide & Treatments for Men
For starters, we’re glad you’re here. Not only does CRM offer the most infertility options form men in the region, but including men in every aspect of infertility treatment is a top priority, too. Understanding the fact that male infertility is increasing and no longer considered just a female issue, men will be empowered by the information presented in this section that is specifically for them. If you are experiencing infertility challenges, know that you are not alone, and we will take this journey of building the family you’ve been dreaming of together.
Treating men not as an afterthought, but as a vital role in the success of any infertility journey is not only what CRM considers the right thing to do, it has also proven to foster success. With our men every step of the way, our highly trained team and inclusive approach ensures the smoothest endeavor possible by helping with the following:
Understanding Male Factor Infertility
As experts in male factor infertility, we offer the best science and solutions in the region and have dedicated a complete guide to fully recognize the fact that men not only face infertility themselves, but they also have their own set of emotions, concerns, and factors that are important to consider.
What is and how common is male factor infertility?
Male infertility is caused by multiple factors such as abnormal sperm production, sperm delivery blockage or low sperm production. Roughly 15 percent of couples in the United States have trouble conceiving, and over 50 percent of the time, there is a male infertility issue. In fact, male infertility is so common that nearly 1 in 10 men will experience difficulties. We believe it is vital that men get tested along with women, as soon as they are ready to explore infertility treatments.
What Causes of Male Factor Infertility?
Male factor infertility issues can be caused by many issues, the most common being anatomic problems, erectile dysfunction, hormonal issues and issues with the number, motility, or shape of the sperm. CRM has had great success treating many of the problems that affect our male patients.
What Are the Risk factors for male infertility?
Medical conditions that may put a patient in a high-risk group for male infertility include:
- Endocrine disorders or hormone imbalances
- Physical injury to the testicle
- Undescended testes
- Surgery on the testis or in this area, such as hernia repairs
- Exposures to toxic chemicals such as chemotherapy or radiation
- Physical blockage of sperm delivery routes
- Use of testosterone or other anabolic steroids
Lifestyle habits that may put a patient in a high-risk group for male infertility include:
- Smoking: Tobacco use has been shown to damage sperm and to limit the chances of survival for embryos that are created.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Drinking to excess can lower testosterone levels and cause erectile dysfunction.
- Exposure to heat: Spending too much time in a sauna or hot tub or using laptop computers on their laps can lead to lower sperm counts.
- Poor diet: Recent studies have shown that diets high in saturated fats can decrease sperm production.
- Stress: Unmanaged stress can contribute to a male fertility problem.
- Drugs: From marijuana to anabolic steroids to the whole family of opiates, many medications or illicit drugs are linked to lower sperm counts.
Why is it important to be evaluated for male factor infertility?
It is extremely important to be evaluated if you think you may have male infertility issues because there may be treatments options or reversible procedures available. The first step in evaluation involves a detailed patient history and a physical examination. Typically, only a small number of patients will present with a serious condition like testis cancer or a significant medical condition like diabetes.
The physical examination may identify everything from enlarged veins to a varicocele that can be treated to improve semen quality. Blood tests may also be recommended to identify hormone imbalances or genetic abnormalities.
Additionally, the results of blood tests and semen analyses, including semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, and sperm morphology (sperm shape), will take us closer to finding your solution.
How is Male Factor Infertility Diagnosed & Treated?
Many infertile couples have more than one cause of infertility, so it’s likely you will both need to see a doctor. It might take a few tests to determine the cause of infertility. Diagnosing male infertility issues typically involves:
- General physical examination and medical history
- Semen analysis
- Scrotal ultrasound
- Transrectal ultrasound
- Hormone testing
- Post-ejaculation urinalysis
- Genetic tests
- Testicular biopsy
- Specialized sperm function tests
Your Customized Infertility Treatment Plan
After identifying any fertility issues, the CRM team of physicians and specialists will develop a personalized treatment plan so you and your partner can address your unique challenges. Ensuring patients and their loved ones fully understand the plan, treatments, and the various financial options CRM offers is of the utmost importance.
Common Treatments Include:
Medication
A regimen of drugs to improve sperm production, correct hormone imbalances, treat infections that affect sperm or bolster testosterone.
Repair of a varicocele
A minor procedure to correct a physical condition that can heat up the testicles and affect sperm quality.
Surgery
A surgical approach can remove barriers that may be blocking sperm production, maturation, or ejaculation.
Microsurgical fertilization procedures
These techniques involve sperm retrieval through a minimally invasive approach, developed by Dr. Honig, or a more extensive approach based on the patient’s specific condition. Typically, this is an out-patient procedure and men may be able to go home the same day.
Assisted reproductive technologies
Male factor infertility can also be treated by Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) for couples using In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection is the injecting of a single sperm directly into an egg; often used during IVF to ensure fertilization of eggs. In Vitro Fertilization is the process of fertilization where the egg and the sperm are combined in a laboratory to create a viable embryo to ultimately implant into the uterus.
How to Address Your Fears: The Sperm Sample Anxiety
While our team doesn’t think twice about this, we understand that even the idea of creating a sperm sample at our office makes most men want to run.
Fortunately, there are ways to overcome your anxiety. Typically, the semen sample must be produced at CRM, in a room set aside for this purpose. While we do our best to provide a sense of privacy, we fully understand your discomfort.
Plus, there’s the anxiety of being evaluated and the worries about a treatment cycle working. Feelings of shame may arise, especially when a couple has been unable to get pregnant without assistance.
If asked to provide a semen sample, we may suggest that you avoid ejaculation for three to seven days prior to the test. This means abstaining from sexual activity, including masturbation. You may also consider avoiding caffeine and alcohol prior to the test and talk to your provider about any supplements or medications you are taking. Because the composition of your semen can vary significantly from day to day, you may be asked to provide two or three samples for more accurate analysis.
Anything you can do to relax prior to giving your sample can help you manage your stress and get through the process. For some men, they are surprised to experience an unprecedented loss of interest in sex when they learn a sample is needed. And it’s not uncommon for a male’s libido to be replaced by performance anxiety at the mere mention of infertility treatment.
For the CRM team, we want all our men to understand that we are a team of medical professionals and we’re here to help you become a father. If you turn red, that’s okay. If you feel like you may struggle, talk to us so we can find a solution. Afterall, we’re in this together.
How Will I Afford This?
The cost for infertility treatments is a significant concern for many men. And it’s not uncommon for men to suffer in silence to allow their partner peace of mind. Carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, this approach can quite easily lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. A detriment to fertility treatments, your wellbeing is of the utmost importance — not only to your partner, but to the CRM team as well.
We too live in a world of inflation with all the expensive pressures of modern society. It is so important to us that you understand you are not alone and that we are here to help you —not judge you. You want a baby, and we want to help you achieve that. It is for these very reasons that CRM has financial counselors and several financing options.
And, while most of us men would prefer to ignore those pesky annoying stressors, there are some key tips on how to cope so we don’t completely break while we try to create a family.
For example, most of us realize that men in general have often been socialized to believe our worth is tied to our ability to provide for ourselves and our families. Who among us can’t relate to that? In fact, you may know a few good men that present a certain image to their peers or maintain a certain lifestyle which leads to overspending or taking on too much debt.
And now that we’re talking about infertility treatment, it can all simply be too much for many of us. Fortunately, there are several actionable steps that men can take to manage financial stress and support their mental health at the same time. Addressing financial stress head-on and developing strategies for managing it, you can achieve greater financial stability, well-being, and overall satisfaction in life. Here, four ways to manage your stress:
How Can I Help & What Is My Role?
Understanding that you are an important part of the infertility process is vital not only to your partner’s success and happiness, but to your own as well. You do not have to be a bystander and because many infertility issues are not all straightforward or related to female issues, your willingness to learn and participate is key.
Embracing the fact that infertility treatment is a journey that you get to experience as a couple is a great place to start. Like most, you will enter this phase of your life without much knowledge or understanding of what lies ahead. And no one expects you to. However, once on this path, becoming an active partner not only improves the experience of you, your partner, and all your loved ones — it’s more than likely you will experience richer relationships overall. Below you will find 10 top tips to define your role in the infertility journey.
Never Place Blame On Your Partner
Emotions on an infertility journey can resemble a rollercoaster, even for the strongest men. Always resist placing blame on your partner or anyone you care about. For example, saying things like “We shouldn’t have waited so long to start a family” does not help anyone. Instead, if feelings of resentment or anger start to seep in, seek the help of an infertility therapist. Quite common, they are here to help.
Educate Yourself
This journey will be much easier if you commit from the start to learning everything you can. From your various treatment options to finance options, be a dependable partner. Fortunately, there is a sea of information available to help you engage!
Ask How You Can Be Supportive
Challenges in infertility can greatly impact and even change relationships. Sometimes just asking how you can help will show that you care and relieve your partner’s stress. By taking a supportive role, you will become a safe space for your loved one and strengthen the bond between you regardless of the outcome. It is key to avoid making assumptions about how your partner is doing by encouraging consistent communication. When treatment is going well, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement but when faced with challenges you might be at a loss on how to help. Therefore, continuously ask how she’s really doing and create open lines of communication. Ask about their concerns, use a gentle tone when sharing your opinions, and remember that small things can be comforting in stressful times.
Show Tangible Support
Day to day tasks may seem minor, but they can also trigger negative emotions that can possibly affect the treatment process. Taking over chores and offering to do the laundry, cooking, or cleaning can clear the way for some couple time and make your partner feel supported. Also, make every effort to accompany your partner to doctor’s appointments and to be by their side for at-home treatments. The little things you do daily will mean a lot and prove your commitment to this shared journey.
Don’t hesitate to seek professional help
Don’t try to be a hero when you are scared, sad, or confused. There are support groups where you can gather input from couples facing similar circumstances that can be a good source of emotional support. CRM offers support and has countless resources to ensure our patients and their loved ones get all the help they need, too. Counseling is very common under these circumstances, never be ashamed to seek help as it is the best and most responsible way to honor yourself and your relationship.
Financial Communication
Check with your partner regularly to see if your goals are still aligned about how many attempts to make and how much money to spend. Some people have trouble expressing their concerns about money, and others may harbor resentment because their partner seems to be checked out. Communicating better than ever better during the stresses of the infertility treatment process is vital. CRM’s financial counselors can help cut through the confusion and work side-by-side with you to address these important conversations.
Respect Your Partner’s Decisions
If your partner is going through the physical ordeal that comes with many infertility treatments, try to imagine being poked, prodded, and injected with hormones. No easy feat, these can take a toll on even the strongest among us. Be sure to always listen to her decisions about her body. If she wants to take a break, change treatments, or even if she’s still willing to pursue another round, be there to support her.
Skip the Baby Celebrations
Know that it is more than okay to decline invitations to baby showers, birthdays, and family gatherings if either you or your partner is struggling. Such social events can trigger mixed emotions for couples undergoing infertility treatments. It is completely normal to experience a range of emotions simultaneously. From feeling happy for a friend that is having a baby to also feeling guilt, grief, or loss, it’s important and healthy to step up in a gentle way to ensure your partner doesn’t subject themselves to additional difficulty.
Balance Optimism with Realism
It’s normal to be hopeful regarding the outcome of an infertility treatment or procedure. However, being cautiously optimistic is advisable. Simply knowing it takes some couples months—or even years—to achieve positive results sets the stage for better communication. While being upbeat and positive is important, make the effort to balance expectations and conversations, too.
Attend Doctors’ Visits
Participating in appointments with doctors, infertility clinicians, and other professionals along the infertility treatment process will keep you and your partner connected and reinforce the fact that you’re going through it together. Sharing the burden eliminates the possibility of remorse forming as being responsible for every detail can be exhausting. Discuss questions ranging from insurance coverage to treatment time frames to keep engaged. Also, taking notes during each appointment for reference, helping to schedule appointments, making phone calls, and managing the calendar are tangible ways to help your partner.