Treating Male Infertility
Male infertility is a fairly common condition and affects about 35 percent of couples who struggle to become pregnant. Typically due to low sperm count, low motility, abnormally shaped sperm, or problems with ejaculation, fertility issues in men can stem from illness, injury, lifestyle choices, or one of many other factors. At Denver Fertility Albrecht Women’s Care, we offer male fertility evaluations and can perform a variety of tests and treatments to help you build your family. Dr. Bruce Albrecht and Dr. Dana Ambler are compassionate fertility specialists who provide personalized treatment plans for both male and female infertility. We provide a comprehensive scope of services for convenient, streamlined care at our Lone Tree office in Englewood and Denver, CO.
Causes of Male Infertility
In most cases, male fertility issues stem from low sperm count or motility (movement), or abnormal morphology (shape). Abnormalities in the sperm can be caused by a range of factors, including:
- Illness, such as cystic fibrosis, mumps, kidney disease, or hormone imbalance
- Injury or trauma
- Heavy alcohol use
- Smoking cigarettes
- Drug use
- Environmental toxins, such as lead or pesticides
- Certain medications
- Radiation treatment and chemotherapy
- Age
Another common issue is a condition called varicocele. When the veins in a man’s testicles are too large, they generate an excessive level of heat, which can affect the number, movement, or shape of sperm. In some cases, improper ejaculation or blockages in the tubules that transport sperm can also play a role in a couple’s ability to conceive.
Diagnosing Infertility in Men
Typically, we recommend couples visit our office if they are under 35 and have been trying to conceive for a year without success or are over 35 and have been trying for six months. During your first appointment, you will meet with Dr. Albrecht or Dr. Ambler for an hour to discuss your medical history. For many patients, infertility is caused by a combination of male and female factors, which is why it is important for both you and your partner to attend your initial infertility evaluation.
We partner with a variety of specialists, including psychologists, acupuncturists, nutritionists, and other medical professionals to tailor treatment to fit your unique needs and preferences.
We perform all testing and treatment for male infertility in our office, including semen analyses and hormonal evaluations. Our on-site semen analysis retrieval suite offers an extremely private, comfortable setting for collecting samples. We will also discuss your occupation and possible exposure to chemicals or other toxins, as environmental factors often affect fertility.
Your Treatment Options
We offer a range of treatment options to overcome male infertility. In some cases, medication and other supplements, coupled with lifestyle changes, can improve your fertility and allow your partner to naturally become pregnant. Dr. Albrecht and Dr. Ambler can also perform artificial insemination to increase your chances of successful conception. We offer both intrauterine insemination (IUI) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) as part of the IVF process, which can be very effective for cases of sperm abnormalities.
Personalized Care
At Denver Fertility Albrecht Women’s Care, we strive to provide the most comprehensive treatment available for our patients. We partner with a variety of specialists, including psychologists, acupuncturists, nutritionists, and other medical professionals to tailor treatment to fit your unique needs and preferences. In rare cases, we refer patients to a urologist to undergo surgery for varicocele. However, we often find IUI is an effective and conservative alternative to surgery.
Compassionate Fertility Specialists
Drs. Albrecht and Ambler understand how stressful and emotional dealing with infertility can be, and strive to remain accessible throughout patients' treatment at Albrecht Women’s Care. Whether you and your partner are struggling with male or female infertility, our team can help you every step of the way. To learn more about the infertility treatments we offer, contact our office online or call (720) 420-1570 to speak with a member of our staff.
