Male Infertility
At Montefiore Einstein Urology, you can access exceptional care for male infertility. As a global leader in urology, we are an academic-based, national and international referral site for the most complex and high-risk cases. For more than a century, we have been at the forefront of innovation, research and clinical care for genitourinary (GU) conditions.
Ranked in the top 1% of all hospitals in the nation for urology according to U.S. News & World Report, Montefiore Einstein continues to make advances in the diagnosis and treatment of GU conditions. Our multidisciplinary team of world-renowned specialists is passionate about uncovering the latest diagnostic approaches and treatments that can improve outcomes.
At Montefiore Einstein Urology, you can expect compassionate, personalized, research-driven treatment plans that meet the highest standards for quality and safety. In addition, we offer patients a full range of support services, from nutritional guidance to rehabilitative therapies.
When you need male infertility care, turn to our dedicated multidisciplinary team for a personalized treatment plan.
Montefiore Einstein offers the following content from Healthwise’s health information library.
What Is Male Infertility?
Male infertility, also known as male factor infertility, interferes with the ability of the male reproductive system to impregnate a female partner. Male infertility is typically defined as the inability to cause pregnancy in a fertile female partner after repeated, unprotected sexual intercourse for one year or more.
Causes of Male Infertility
Male infertility has a wide variety of causes, including low or abnormal sperm production and urethral blockage. Various other health problems and lifestyle factors can also contribute to male infertility, including:
- Exposure to harmful chemicals, heavy metals or radiation
- Genetic disorders
- Hormonal imbalance
- Obesity
- Reproductive tract conditions
- Sexual dysfunction
- Some cancer treatments
- Tobacco, alcohol and drug use
- Tumors
Signs & Symptoms of Male Infertility
Male infertility is typically diagnosed based on a physical exam, medical history, and lab tests, including:
- Blood tests to check hormone levels, such as testosterone, and rule out other issues
- Genetic testing to look for genetic causes of infertility, such as chromosomal abnormalities or gene mutations
- Semen analysis to check sperm count, shape, motility and the presence of antibodies
- Testicular biopsy to examine the tubes within the testicles for sperm
- Ultrasound scans to create images of the reproductive organs to check for blockages or other issues
- Urine tests to check for sperm in the urine after ejaculation
Diagnosing Male Infertility
The primary sign of male infertility is the inability to conceive a child with a fertile female partner. Additional symptoms may include:
- Difficulty with sexual function, including decreased sexual desire, difficulty achieving and maintaining erection or ejaculation
- Prior surgeries involving the groin, testicles, penis or scrotum
- Testicular swelling, pain or discomfort
- Female partner over the age of 35
Treating Male Infertility
There is an extensive range of treatments for male infertility, depending on the underlying cause. Our urologists work across departments with embryologists and reproductive experts to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to each patient. Treatments include:
- Hormone therapy to stimulate sperm production
- Minimally invasive surgical procedures to resolve structural abnormalities or blockages within the reproductive tract
For patients seeking fertility assistance, we provide several advanced approaches, including:
- Artificial insemination: A high concentration of healthy sperm is placed near the cervix or directly into the uterus, giving the sperm a better chance of reaching the egg for fertilization.
- Gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT): Mature eggs and sperm are placed directly into the fallopian tube, allowing for natural fertilization under controlled conditions.
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): A single sperm is injected directly into a mature egg and the fertilized egg is placed into the uterus.
- In vitro fertilization (IVF): Mature eggs are collected from the ovaries, fertilized by sperm in the laboratory and then implanted into the uterus.