Archive for the ‘Male Infertility’ Category
Monday, October 31st, 2011
As we’ve noted here before, up to a third of all cases of infertility between couples can be attributed to male infertility factors. But how much do you really know about this condition?
To help you understand male infertility a little better, we’ve amassed a series of statistics and facts:
• In the United States, around 6 percent of men aged teen to midlife have fertility difficulties. Outside of the United States, especially in developing countries, that figure can be significantly higher.
• Up to 71 percent of males who are diagnosed as infertile have infections, many of which are caused by untreated sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like chlamydia.
• Up to 90 percent of male infertility causes can be traced back to low sperm count. (Again, that low sperm count can be the result of many different issues, including an undiagnosed STD.)
• One in 25 males has a low sperm count. (This may or may not lead to male infertility, as the determining factor is whether or not the sperm are healthy and viable.)
• Blood tests and semen analysis are the most popular ways to determine the cause of male infertility.
• Some sources suggest that male infertility may be more prevalent than female infertility, although this hypothesis is heavily debated in the fertility specialist community.
If you’re interested in learning more about male infertility and you’re in the Philadelphia or Wyomissing, PA areas, please contact the Reproductive Science Institute today for an appointment. We’d be happy to discuss and evaluate your unique situation.
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Tags: Appointment, Blood Tests, Chlamydia, Couples, Developing Countries, Diseases, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, female infertility, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Hypothesis, Infertility, Infertility Causes, Low Sperm Count, Male Infertility, Pa Areas, PA Infertility, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Infertility, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Statistics, United States, Wyomissing, Wyomissing Pa
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Friday, October 21st, 2011
It’s long been known that women’s fertility dips as they get older (and especially after they are in their mid-30s), but the traditional belief has been that males didn’t have this issue.
This may not be the case, according to a Colorado study performed in conjunction with the National Foundation for Fertility Research (NFFR) that has concluded that sperm from middle- and older-aged male mice is not as viable as that from younger male mice.
In the mice, sperm quality began to decline in their middle years, which would be roughly 40 years of age in a human man. And if the findings translate from mice to men, it could shed some light on male infertility.
For instance, a couple who is having fertility issues may find that the problem lies with the sperm quality of the man if he is in or past middle age. Should this be the case, there are options that could help the partners conceive using the strongest of his sperm as determined in a laboratory setting.
Key results of the study showed that sperm from midlife and older mice produced embryos that:
- Were less likely to implant in the woman’s uterus than were those from younger male mice.
- Were less likely to develop in the womb if they were able to implant.
If you would like to learn more about male infertility or other fertility issues, please contact the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) to schedule a consultation.
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Tags: Colorado Study, Dips, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fertility Issues, Fertility Research, Fertility Treatment, Human Man, Infertility, Male Fertility, Male Infertility, Male Mice, Mid 30s, Middle Age, Midlife, National Foundation, Nffr, PA Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Reproductive Science Institute, sperm, Traditional Belief, Uterus, womb, Wyomissing
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Wednesday, September 28th, 2011
News from India has many men who work in the IT industry asking themselves if their chosen careers may contribute to their male infertility. A recent survey of those in the software industry has discovered that many men who attempt fertility treatments with their wives discover that they are the cause of the reproduction issues.
Though the survey doesn’t explain exactly why a higher-than-normal finding seems to exist in the IT world, there could be many sociological and environmental factors, including:
1. A stressful environment.
The IT industry is highly competitive, requiring long hours. As with any job where intensity and drive are the standard expectations, an IT professional may be living such a hectic lifestyle that he is unable to find time to have a regular sexual relationship with his female partner.
2. Obesity.
IT professionals often work in offices in front of computers day-in, day-out. This leads to a more sedentary than normal existence, which can contribute to weight issues. Obese men are known to have more fertility issues than are those of average weight.
3. Poor habits.
Long hours may lead some men to drink or smoke. Both lifestyle choices can be contributors to male infertility. Additionally, any kind of drug use (even some over-the-counter medications) can become problematic for men seeking to father children.
4. Radiation from technology equipment.
Though some scientists have felt that the notion of radiation from technological items is too minimal to have an impact on male infertility, others are cautious about dismissing the notion out of hand. After all, some cases have shown that being around such items can have effects on health.
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Tags: Drug Use, Environmental Factors, Female Partner, Fertility Issues, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Hectic Lifestyle, Infertility, Intensity, Lifestyle Choices, Male Infertility, Many Men, News From India, Obese Men, obesity, PA Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Poor Habits, Reading, Reproducive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Reproduction Issues, Rsi, Sexual Relationship, Software Industry, Stressful Environment, Technology Equipment, Wyomissing
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Wednesday, September 14th, 2011
There has been a great deal of press recently over the realization and acceptance of cancer treatments during early childhood and adulthood as a contributor to female infertility. As a consequence, girls and women who choose to undergo radiation and chemotherapy treatments are often counseled as to their options regarding their future fertility.
But what about the men and boys with cancer?
Not surprisingly, male infertility can be exacerbated or caused by cancer treatments, especially if they’ve been given drugs such as melphalan, ifosfamide, cyclophosphamide and/or procarbazine. (Those medications have high alkaline levels.) And if they’ve needed to undergo surgery or targeted radiation to their reproductive organs as a result of cancer, they may be left without healthy sperm. Sometimes, male infertility can even come about from treatments to other areas of the body, such as the abdomen or brain.
So what are men with cancer who wish to have children later in life to do?
First, it’s important to tackle the cancer as a primary concern. Though male infertility may be a consideration, it is not the most pressing one. The cancer needs to be handled foremost. However, it’s definitely recommended that all men (or parents of boys) discuss how their treatments could have lasting effects on their fertility.
Next, if a man who has had cancer (even if it was as a young child) is having difficulty conceiving with his partner, it’s critical that he be upfront about his medical history with their fertility specialist. That way, the specialist can initiate tests to determine if the infertility is related to previous cancer treatments.
Finally, it’s not the end of the world. Many fertility specialists have found success with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a process that requires only one sperm for fertilization. There are other options as well, including the use of viable sperm donors.
If you’d like to learn more about male infertility matters as they relate to cancer and other conditions and you are within traveling distance of Wyomissing or Chesterbrook, we invite you to set up a consultation with The Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, P.C. (RSI) today.
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Tags: Abdomen, Adulthood, Cancer Treatments, Chemotherapy, Chemotherapy Treatments, Cyclophosphamide, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, female infertility, fertility specialist, Fertility Specialists, Fertilization, Healthy Sperm, Infertility, Male Fertility, Male Infertility, Medical History, Melphalan, Philadelphia PA Infertility, Procarbazine, Reproductive Organs, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Sperm Donors, Sperm Injection, Wyomissing PA Infertility
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Friday, August 26th, 2011
Sialyl-lewis-x.
No, it’s not some strange name for a new alternative band. It’s a sugar chain found on the outer shell of ova. It may also be the key to binding the sperm and egg to allow fertilization to begin.
As everyone learns in high school, the egg (ovum) is fertilized by one fortunate sperm. That sperm not only has to be plucky and strong, but it also has to have the right kind of proteins on its head to push through the egg’s outer shell and start the process of conception.
The problem has been that researchers weren’t quite sure what molecular structures made the process go smoother… until now.
Scientists are seriously contemplating as to whether or not sialyl-lewis-x might make an ovum’s surface “stickier”. Thus, if the sperm that’s most likely to “stick” to that surface is introduced, conception can happen faster.
To help illustrate the point, picture a golf ball covered in glue. If a piece of material also covered in a glue-like substance were to be adhered to the golf ball, it would likely stick. But if a piece of material that had been coated with an oily substance were adhered to the ball, it would probably fall off.
So how can these “sticky situations” be encouraged in the laboratory setting? Scientists are dabbling in various ways to create sperm that better attach themselves to the gluey outside of eggs, including with medications.
It’s a real boon to the science of male infertility and we at RSI, one of the Philadelphia region’s most reputable fertility clinics, are eager to find out more as the months go by.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Alternative Band, Boon, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, Fertility Clinics, Fertility Treatment, Fertilization, Glue, Golf Ball, Infertility, Male Infertility, Molecular Structures, Oily Substance, Outer Shell, ovum, PA Infertility, Philadelphia Infertility, Philadelphia Region, Process Of Conception, Proteins, Reading, Rhonda Hearns, sperm, Sticky Situations, Strange Name, Sugar Chain, Wyomissing
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Wednesday, August 24th, 2011
It’s no secret that male infertility is taking as much prominence as is female infertility in the scientific race to find solutions for fertility problems in couples.
At the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI), conveniently located outside Philadelphia, we strive to stay on top of the latest developments to help those with male infertility conditions. Recently, there’s been a lot of press from an Asian study about the possibility of creating viable “test tube” sperm in a laboratory setting.
Fertility researchers in Japan used mice for their trials and were able to replicate sperm artificially within a ten-week period using stem cells from the mice. The sperm, once verified as viable, were implanted into mice testes, later removed, and then used to fertilize ova.
Mouse babies created from this sperm were not only conceived, but were born healthy. Those babies eventually grew to adulthood and reproduced as well, suggesting that the artificial sperm had no negative repercussions on the fertility of those babies who were conceived from them.
The breakthrough is a fascinating peek into the opportunities that fertility specialists have when it comes to combating male infertility. However, it’s important to note that while this research has caused some small earthquakes, it hasn’t produced any tsunamis in terms of watershed fertility treatment methodologies.
As this story develops, RSI will, of course, keep you in the loop. Until then, if you or your partner are/is suffering from male infertility symptoms, we urge you to contact us for an initial consultation.
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Friday, July 29th, 2011
If you’re a man who has been told (or who believes) he has male infertility, it may be wise to make some lifestyle changes. Though such changes may not alter the infertility enough to enable you to conceive without reproductive technology assistance, they have been shown to make your body produce better quality sperm to be used during such procedures as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Working with your fertility specialist, you may be asked to make some or all of the following daily habit modifications. Be open to them; they are meant to combat the effects of male infertility, not to make your day-to-day experiences difficult!
1. Smoking cessation – Smoking has been known to reduce the quality of sperm, so if you’ve been looking for a reason to quit, now is the perfect time.
2. Reduction or elimination of alcohol consumption – Alcohol may contribute to male infertility, so opt for another drink while you’re working with a fertility specialist.
3. Elimination of drugs – Obviously, illegal drugs are not to be taken under any circumstances, but some over-the-counter medications may also be counterproductive to dealing with fertility issues. Make sure you let your fertility specialist know everything you’re taking so he or she can make recommendations.
4. Reduction of intercourse or ejaculation – Though it might seem counterintuitive, it’s not necessarily a good idea to ejaculate every day. Depending upon what your physician suggests, you may be asked to have sexual intercourse on a very strict schedule, thus increasing the chances that your sperm will be more viable.
5. Reduction of stressors – This can be easier said than done, of course. But it’s important for men and women struggling with infertility to reduce the stressors in their lives as much as they realistically can.
6. Modification of exercise habits – It’s been shown that excessive exercising can be harmful to sperm quality, and some exercises, such as cycling, have been linked to male infertility (due to pressures on the testes.)
7. Reduction of weight – Though weight plays more of a role in female infertility than it does in male infertility, it’s still a good idea to lose extra pounds, especially if your BMI has reached a rating that would qualify you as extremely overweight or obese.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Alcohol Consumption, Dr. Munabi, Exercise Habits, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Fertilization Ivf, Illegal Drugs, Infertility, Lifestyle Changes, Male Infertility, Perfect Time, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Reproductive Technology, Rsi, sexual intercourse, Smoking Cessation, sperm, Stressors, Strict Schedule, Success Rates, Technology Assistance, Time 2, Vitro Fertilization
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Wednesday, July 27th, 2011
For many men, taking the first trip to a fertility specialist can seem embarrassing or uncomfortable. That’s likely due to the media’s focus on female infertility rather than male infertility. However, it’s important for guys to be open to finding out why they’ve been unable to conceive.
Many individuals are surprised to learn that male infertility is the primary issue in at least one third of all cases of infertility between couples. (Some statistics report this number to be 40 percent or higher!) Just hearing this fact is calming for many male fertility patients, as it eases the psychological burden of them feeling like they are “alone” in their fertility struggles or that they “cannot perform”.
Still, it’s not unusual for us at RSI, one of the premiere fertility clinics in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area, to come against some resistance when men initially arrive at our facility. This is especially true when they have been brought by the women in their lives; for men, this can feel akin to being “pointed at” in a crowd.
Guys, the bottom line is this: We understand. Male infertility is one of our specialties; therefore, we are sensitive to the emotional considerations that accompany the diagnosis. If you’re feeling irate, standoffish, sad or uncomfortable, it’s okay. We as fertility specialists are not here to push you in one direction or another; we’re here to make sure you have all the facts and can proceed as makes sense for you and your significant other.
The upshot – and it’s a great one! – is that we’ve successfully helped many couples with their infertility issues, whether they stemmed from female infertility or male infertility. But it’s necessary for patients to take the first step and give us (or a preferred, reputable fertility clinic) a call.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Bottom Line, Courage, Diagnosis, Dr. Munabi, Emotional Considerations, Facebook, female infertility, fertility clinic, Fertility Clinics, fertility specialist, Fertility Specialists, First Trip, Infertility, Infertility Issues, Male Fertility, Male Infertility, Many Men, Philadelphia Pennsylvania Area, Psychological Burden, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Twitter, Upshot
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Monday, July 25th, 2011
Recent findings in the area of male infertility may help explain why some men are subfertile or infertile.
Researchers from the University of California, Davis, have announced that a recent fertility study has shed light on the occurrence of a protective “coat” that wraps around sperm. The protein-based coat shields the sperm as they attempt to reach an egg; however, without the coat, they are left vulnerable.
The fertility study was conducted on 500 Chinese couples; birth rates among the couples were significantly lowered if the protein coating did not exist in the males.
Men with a missing sperm coating likely have the condition genetically. In fact, the University scientists are suggesting that up to 1 in 5 men may be without the protein protection, thus leaving them open to male infertility.
To combat the effects of the gene mutation, experts are suggesting the usage of assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI). With IVF or IUI, the potentially-hazardous journey of the sperm to the egg is eliminated, therefore upping the chances of a successful conception.
Because the findings are new, no tests have been developed. However, it’s a topic that we at RSI, one of the Philadelphia area’s premiere fertility clinics, will be following closely in the months to come.
Male Infertility Facts:
- 30-40 percent of all couples’ fertility issues can be related to male infertility factors.
- Each year, there are approximately 2 million new cases of male infertility in the United States.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Birth Rates, Chinese Couples, Dr. Munabi, Facebook, Fertility Clinics, Fertility Issues, Fertilization Ivf, Gene Mutation, Hazardous Journey, Infertility, Intrauterine Insemination Iui, Male Infertility, Occurrence, Philadelphia Area, Protein Coating, Reproductive Science Institute of Suburban Philadelphia, Rsi, Shields, Twitter, University Of California Davis, University Scientists, Vitro Fertilization
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Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
Though it seems as if we say it at our fertility clinic again and again, people are still sometimes hesitant to believe (or perhaps accept) that males have just as much chance of being infertile as females.
Perhaps it’s because of the age-old idea that men are testosterone-filled to the point where they can’t help but be able to impregnate women. However, that’s a flat-out myth.
In the United States, studies have shown that 40% of the issues that fertility clinics like Philadelphia area’s RSI uncover are related to male infertility. To put that number in perspective, about 40% are due to female infertility. The remaining 20% falls under a category of impossible to diagnose at this time.
So what does this mean? First of all, it doesn’t mean men are somehow “at fault”; they simply have to be aware that they might have an issue if they and their partners have been unable to have children.
Secondly, it’s critical for men to put aside any embarrassment and get treated. Sometimes, solving a couple’s fertility concerns can be easier than they might expect. But without diagnosis, there’s no chance for a resolution.
This is why we emphasize some form of therapy in conjunction with fertility treatments. Therefore, partners can address their problems together and without judgment.
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Tags: Conjunction, Diagnosis, Embarrassment, Facebook, female infertility, Females, fertility clinic, Fertility Clinics, Fertility Concerns, Fertility Treatments, Infertility, Judgment, Male Infertility, Myth 2, Perspective, Philadelphia Area, Remaining 20, Testosterone, Twitter, United States Studies
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