Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Male Factor Infertility


Male Factor Infertility
            Male factor infertility can be attributed to approximately one-third of infertility cases.[1] There are many different factors that can cause male factor infertility. These include: azoospermia (absence of sperm cells), oligospermia (presence of only a few sperm cells), improper shape, slow motility, or sperm cells dying prior to reaching the egg. 2
In October of 2013, my husband was diagnosed with oligospermia and slow motility. When our doctor called to inform us of our test results, I honestly knew absolutely NOTHING about infertility, besides the fact that it existed. All of a sudden, our doctor was giving us all of these medical diagnoses that seemed pretty serious and letting us know that he was not really sure who we needed to see next for assistance. He informed us that it would probably be beneficial to see a urologist and that, if he could not help us, it might be helpful to see a reproductive endocrinologist. Umm… Who?? I had never even heard of these doctors before!

Our Diagnostic Testing:
But let’s rewind a little to how we got this diagnosis. At our first appointment, my husband was asked a number of questions such as, “Have you ever been hit really hard in the scrotum?”, “Have you ever had surgery completed in your scrotum area?”, “Have any males on your side been diagnosed with infertility?”, etc. Then, they informed us that they would need to obtain a semen sample, which could be collected at home. Once collected, the sample had to be kept at body temperature and be brought into the lab within twenty minutes. On a good day, we can make it to the lab from our house in about forty-five minutes. So instead, we rented a nearby hotel and practiced driving back and forth to the lab just to make sure that we would make it in time!
The results took about two to three days to come in. A few weeks later, another sample was collected and analyzed and the results were compared. My husband had 4.4 million sperm cells per milliliter on the first sample and 3.6 million sperm cells per milliliter on the second sample, which seemed like a lot if you asked me! But, to our surprise, it actually was not.

So, how many sperm cells are needed in order to become pregnant?
We soon learned that the average male ejaculates around 100 million sperm cells per milliliter! Technically, it only takes one sperm to fertilize one egg in order to achieve pregnancy. However, the process for this to occur is more grueling than expected. Once a sperm cell is released, it must first make the journey from the vagina into the fallopian tubes. This journey is very strenuous and only a few sperm cells are able to survive. For those that do survive, they must get past the thick layer that encompasses the egg in order to fertilize. Due to the high number of sperm cells that don’t reach the egg, men who produce less than 20 million sperm cells per milliliter of semen are at risk of infertility.3
However, the number of sperm cells isn’t the only thing that matters. In addition to this, the sperm cell must also be healthy and have adequate motility and function or it will not be able to make it to or enter into the egg. 4
What does a diagnosis of male factor infertility mean?
Thankfully, a diagnosis of male factor infertility does not always have to stop a couple from being able to conceive a child. Based on your diagnosis and specific circumstance, your doctor will be able to recommend what the best route for you and your partner may be.
-Shauni

Resources:
[1]American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (1996-2015). What causes infertility. Retrieved from http://www.reproductivefacts.org/detail.aspx?id=3018
2 Mayo Clinic Staff. (2015, August 11). Diseases and conditions male infertility.  Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-infertility/basics/treatment/con-20033113
4 Mayo Clinic Staff




 photo bundled-sig_zpsiuixbukx.png

8 comments:

  1. Contact SCI Healthcare, Founder & Director Dr Shivani Sachdev Gour. She is one of the best fertility expert & has experienced more than 10years in fertility services. Dr. Shivani Gour completed her graduation and specialty training in Gynaecology and Obstetrics from Mumbai.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very good post, to find affordable IVF service provider, contact Matrika Medicare. This is a subsidiary of Fertility Care India and has established the name as a premier in the field of IVF industry. Contact us for wide range IVF services by India’s most popular ivf experts. IVF in Delhi NCR also find us for further services such as Surrogacy in India | Egg Donors in India

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a Miraculous Recovery!!!
    I will always remember you on this day Dr
    I was totally convinced before I could finished you medicine prepared for me for my Herpes. By Dr. Odey Abang,
    It was actually a sad incident and a painful soles still appearing and was still using the ancylovia ..
    All I was concerned was the perfect cure. Went to seerch about natural remedies for Herpes, then, I came across a comment of a lady who posted how she was cured from 7 years diagnosed of herpes and and much others with Dr. Odey Abang.
    I thought about it and decided to try for my health. I was willing to pay anything to get cured.
    Surprising, my cures came just as soon as I purchased his herbal remedies and sent to me through the DHL.
    I was guid by the doctor on how to apply.
    I felt so relieved a couple of days I used the medicine and could understand the reaction each time I took in the medicine.
    On my last bottle, I was totally convinced, I could see no sole in me and my habitat was good for my taste.
    I went to the hospital and my doctor confirmed me herpes negative. It's over a month now still showing negative.
    This is my life story and I'm using this to thank all those posting about Dr. Odey Abang for his cures and help for total cures
    His medicine are very effective, 100% qurantee with active immune booster.
    Contact him directly

    Odeyabangherbalhome@gmail.com

    for you're cure to
    Herpes, HIV/Aids, Diabetes, infertility, irregular mesturatio, Fibroid, etc

    ReplyDelete
  4. Are you searching for IVF Hospital in Noida for affordable cost treatment? SCI IVF Centre is the best ivf fertility clinic centre in Noida and Delhi NCR, click here to find top rated ivf specialist Dr Shivani Sachdev Gour in India.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Contact Dr Anup Kumar Sahu - Ayurvedic Doctor for Hair Loss Treatment in Delhi.

    Dr. Anup's Health Care Center
    A-8, Jai Vihar 25, Foota Road, Najafgarh, New Delhi – 110043
    Mobile: +91-9891572109
    Email: dranupdelhi@gmail.com
    https://dranupkumarsahu.business.site

    ReplyDelete
  6. Are you searching for an affordable and best ivf hospital? then visit at www.healthdoc.in and find specialist doctors and hospitals near you.

    Top 10 IVF Hospital in Delhi

    ReplyDelete