Male Factor Infertility
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) defines infertility as a disease of the reproductive system that impairs
the body’s ability to perform the basic function of reproduction. Although conceiving a child may seem to be simple and natural,
the physiological process is quite complicated and depends on the proper function of many factors, including the following,
as listed by the ASRM:
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Production of healthy sperm by the man
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Production of healthy eggs by the woman
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Unblocked fallopian tubes that allow the sperm to reach the egg
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The sperm’s ability to fertilize the egg
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The ability of the fertilized egg to become implanted in the uterus
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Adequate embryo quality
The average chance to conceive for a normally fertile couple having regular, unprotected intercourse is approximately 25 percent
during each menstrual cycle. In most couples, conception occurs within about 12 months. However, infertility affects about
10 percent of couples of childbearing age. And infertility is not just a woman’s concern. A problem with the male is the sole
or a contributing cause of infertility in about 40 percent of infertile couples. About one-third of infertile couples have
more than one cause or factor related to their inability to conceive. About 20 percent of couples have no identifiable cause
for their infertility after medical investigation.
Getting help at Jefferson
The Jefferson Department of Urology includes experts experienced in diagnosing and addressing male factor infertility.
Working with each patient and his partner, our program specialists perform a comprehensive assessment before embarking on
any medical or surgical therapies in conjunction with the parenting gynecologist.
In addition, our staff routinely performs microsurgical vasectomy reversals, microsurgical treatment of genital tract obstruction and sperm retrieval for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in
which sperm are actually injected into, rather than just combined with, an egg.
Additional information about male factor infertility
