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We know now that male infertility is present in up to 40% of childless couples. Consequently, it is mandatory that the male partners receive a complete history and physical examination. At Southeastern Fertility Center (SEFC), the male partner is investigated at the same time as the female's infertility work-up. Semen analysis remains the cornerstone in the evaluation of a man's infertility. If needed, a more extended evaluation can be explored, including sperm function assays, urological and endocrinological evaluation.
SEFC offers a unique clinical team whereby reproductive endocrinologists
and urologists combine their efforts to diagnose and treat sperm
disorders. In addition, SEFC possesses the most qualified andrology
laboratory in the area with a team that maintains national standards
and state of the art equipment allowing for a comprehensive semen
evaluation. In addition, both the clinical team and the laboratory
offer services 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We offer couples
continuous treatment performed by a team of doctors, nurses, and
laboratory personnel to assure our goals.
An infertile man can be offered different types of therapies. There is an extensive battery of therapeutic options available for male disorders. However, if initial simple therapies have failed, or if the sperm disorders are of moderate to severe intensity, then the couple is offered either intrauterine insemination therapy or advanced reproductive technologies, such as IVF with ICSI.
Intrauterine inseminations using the partner's sperm can be performed in couples suffering from male infertility if the sperm disorders are mild or moderate. Advanced techniques are needed and are much more efficient, for many types of male infertility. These include in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). ICSI has revolutionized the treatment of male infertility. Today, we can effectively treat almost any type of sperm disorder including very low sperm count, motility, or morphology, presence of antisperm antibodies and even men without any sperm in their ejaculate (azoospermia). In these cases, sperm can usually be retrieved from the testes or epididymis at SEFC by very simple outpatient surgical procedures combined with ICSI.
Adequate diagnosis, genetic testing and counseling, and advanced techniques can only be performed in tertiary care institutes like SEFC that follow high standards and ethics and are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and skilled personnel.
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