Other Male Procedures

The male factor, if not completely, is up to a greater extent responsible for infertility. If a couple has been trying for too long to conceive despite frequent unprotected sex and has not been successful in conceiving, it means that there could be an underlying cause affecting the fertility. However, it does not have to necessarily always be a female factor, any abnormalities in the male reproductive health can also result in infertility. There are certain factors that affect the production, function, or movement of the sperm. If there is any abnormality in the quantity, quality, morphology, or motility of sperms, infertility can result. There are a number of factors that contribute to male infertility such as injury or damage to the male reproductive organs, chronic health issues, lifestyle, etc. IVF procedures have been a miracle in such cases to render the joy of fathering a baby. While PESA and TESA are commonly known IVF procedures, there are other male procedures that could be helpful in treating infertility due to certain conditions. To choose the right procedure, it is important to know the underlying cause. The procedure, however, depends on the underlying condition which could initially be known through certain symptoms.

• Issues with sexual activity – Lack of sexual desire, decreased ejaculation, difficulty with ejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, etc.

• Swelling or tenderness of the testicles.

• Gynecomastia (abnormal growth of the breasts).

• Scrotal pain.

In addition to these, there could be some chromosomal or hormonal disorders or if a man has undergone surgical sterilization in the form of vasectomy.

If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms, consulting a healthcare professional will help better delineate the underlying cause and decide the right mode of treatment or procedure. Once the cause is identified, the doctor could recommend a certain procedure. There are various procedures to treat male infertility.

• Varicocelectomy – Varicocele is a condition when blood accumulates in the veins near the spermatic cord. Varicocelectomy is a procedure performed to remove the enlarged veins and help restore blood flow to the reproductive organs. If a varicocele develops in the scrotum, it could block the flow of blood to the other reproductive organs.

• Varicocele Embolization – This is a same-day procedure that helps in moving blood in the varicocele away with the help of a catheter ( a long tube). The catheter is inserted through a small incision in the groin to reach the testicular area. Once the catheter reaches the target area, the enlarged vein holding the blood is made to shrink by injecting certain chemicals. The procedure causes a reduction of pressure in the varicocele thereby directing the blood through other pathways. This procedure is carried out under light sedation.

• Transurethral ejaculatory duct resection – This procedure is performed if there is a blockage of the ejaculatory duct due to trauma to the pelvis or any infection. The blockage or obstruction impedes the ability to ejaculate sperm; therefore, a resectoscope (a telescopic device) is inserted into the urethra to remove any blockage in the duct.

• Reversal of vasectomy – This procedure helps in restoring fertility by reconnecting the vas deferens (tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra). The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia.

• Micro TESE (Microsurgical Testicular Sperm Extraction) – A procedure recommended for men who unable to produce the desired quantity of sperm. This surgical procedure performed usually under general anesthesia involves retrieval of the sperm from the testes. The sperm retrieved is then frozen for use at a later date of is directly injected into an egg on that same day for further fertilization process to occur.

Since conditions differ in each individual, the right procedure can only be determined by seeking help through a specialist. If any of the above is causing you concern, talk to your specialist for a clear understanding of the issue because treatment for male infertility issues has shown tremendous success over recent years.