What is Infertility?
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive a child after one year of unprotected intercourse. For women who are older than 35, this time period drops to six months.
Male Factor Infertility
Approximately 15 percent of all couples are infertile. Up to 50 percent of these infertile couples will have a male factor component and 30 percent of couples will not be able to conceive solely because of a male factor. For this reason, if a couple is having trouble conceiving, it’s important to have both the woman and the man evaluated.
Evaluating for Male Factor Infertility
Tennessee Urology male sexual and reproductive health specialists recommend a complete evaluation for male patients, including a semen analysis, to identify the cause of a couples’ infertility. The evaluation is a critical component of solving the cause of the infertility and needs to be performed and managed by experienced physicians and a competent reproductive laboratory. Additionally, male hormone levels may influence sperm counts and should be evaluated by a male fertility specialist.
Every man who is having problems conceiving with his partner requires an evaluation, which includes:
- A complete history and physical examination
- Reproductive history of both male and female partners
- Screening semen analysis
- Blood work
- Exam to identify varicoceles, which are similar to varicose veins in the leg and are also a known cause of male infertility
- Possible advanced testing with ultrasound
If there are any abnormalities found on preliminary screening, your physician will discuss one of the many options that may be available to you and your partner.
Physicians
Mark G. Bowles
M.D.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/BPH, Bladder Cancer, Erectile Dysfunction, General Urology, Kidney Stones, Overactive Bladder (OAB), Prostate Cancer, Urethral Stricture Disease, UroLift, Vasectomy
Stuart A. Chasan
M.D., F.A.C.S.
3D Ultrasound/MRI Fusion Prostate Cancer Biopsy, Adult circumcision, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/BPH, Bladder Cancer, Extra Corporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL), General Urology, Greenlight Laser Therapy, InterStim Neuromodulation Therapy for OAB, Kidney Stones, Male and Female Voiding Dysfunction More...
Walter William Chiles
M.D., F.A.C.S.
Female Incontinence, General Urology, InterStim Neuromodulation Therapy for OAB, Kidney Stones, Laser prostatectomy, Rezum Therapy for BPH, Robotic Prostatectomy, UroLift, Vasectomy, Xiaflex® for Peyronies disease
Lee Congleton, III
M.D., F.AC.S.
Artificial sphincter, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/BPH, Bladder Cancer, Cryosurgery for Prostate Cancer, Erectile Dysfunction, Female Incontinence, Female urinary incontinence, General Urology, Hematuria, Kidney Stones More...
Kristin Kirk-Hostetler
PT, DPT
Chronic Pelvic Pain, Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, Urinary Incontinence
Timothy J. LeRoy
M.D., F.A.C.S.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/BPH, Bladder Cancer, Erectile Dysfunction, Female Pelvic Health, InterStim Neuromodulation Therapy for OAB, Kidney Stones, Low Testosterone, Male Sexual Health, Peyronie's Disease, Prostate Cancer More...
Garrett H. Lischer
M.D., F.A.C.S.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/BPH, Bladder Cancer, Erectile Dysfunction, Female Incontinence, Kidney Stones, Low Testosterone, Male Incontinence, Male Sexual Dysfunction, Overactive Bladder (OAB), Penile Prosthesis More...
Brian Parker
M.D., F.A.C.S.
Artificial sphincter, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/BPH, Bladder Cancer, Erectile Dysfunction, Female Pelvic Health, General Urology, Hematuria, Interstitial Cystitis, Kidney Stones, Low Testosterone More...
Christopher E. Ramsey
M.D., F.A.C.S.
Bladder Cancer, General Urology, Hematuria, Kidney Stones, Prostate Cancer, Robotic Prostatectomy, Robotic surgery, UroLift, Vasectomy
Peter D. Sershon
MD, FACS
3D Ultrasound/MRI Fusion Prostate Cancer Biopsy, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/BPH, Bladder Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Kidney Stones, Prostate Cancer, Robotic surgery, UroLift Treatment for BPH, Vasectomy
T. Preston Shepherd
M.D., F.A.C.S.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/BPH, Bladder Cancer, Erectile Dysfunction, Interstitial Cystitis, Kidney Stones, Low Testosterone, Penile Prosthesis, Peyronie's Disease, Prostate Cancer, Testicular pain More...
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