Male Fertility Tests & Treatment
Though traditionally considered a female problem, fertility issues are almost as common in men as in women.
Look to UC San Diego Health to comprehensively evaluate and treat both male and female fertility issues so that you and your partner have the best chance possible of having biological children.
The Men’s Health Center is the only clinic in San Diego County that offers comprehensive care for male infertility and sexual health. Our urology services are repeatedly ranked among the nation's best by U.S. News & World Report.
Common Conditions Affecting Male Fertility
Your challenges with conceiving may be due to:
- Ejaculatory duct obstruction, which blocks semen from leaving the tip of the penis
- Low testosterone / hormonal imbalance
- Medications for chronic health conditions
- Retrograde ejaculation, in which sperm enters the bladder during orgasm
- Steroid use
- Sperm production problems
- Varicocele, swelling in the veins above the testicles
Your fertility is also related to your overall health. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet and inactivity, as well as stress and obesity, can affect your sperm count and semen quality.
Your UC San Diego Health men's health specialist can help you with lifestyle changes that can improve your fertility, sexual health and long-term wellness goals.
Diagnostic Tests for Male Infertility
During your initial visit, your doctor will perform a physical exam and review your medical history. To confirm or rule out a suspected cause, you will likely have one or more of the following:
- Semen analysis
- Hormone test
- Genetic test
- Ultrasonic imaging
We have a high-complexity andrology lab on-site that's private and comfortable, offering these specialized tests for male infertility in one convenient location.
The Men’s Health Center also offers a couples infertility evaluation, co-located with female infertility specialists at the office, for the convenience of you and your partner.
Video: FAQs About Male Fertility
Treatments for Male Infertility
Your care plan depends on the underlying cause of your fertility issues and may include:
- Nutritional and herbal supplements
- Prescription medications
- Stimulatory hormone injections
- Vasectomy reversal
Through a collaboration with Reproductive Partners Fertility Center–San Diego, your treatment options also include intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), an in vitro fertilization (IVF) technique in which sperm is injected directly into your partner’s donor egg.
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