Out of concern that severe low sperm counts will progress to azoospermia, or no sperm in the ejaculate, many practitioners will advise their patients with low counts to “freeze now”. But is this really warranted? What about men with normal counts?
Two weeks ago I presented a “poster” at the American Society of Andrology Meeting held in Denver, Colorado. While there I was able to hear information about environmental and other factors affecting male fertility and picked up some industry connections t
A recent “gold” Urology journal article reports that as a means of permanent birth control in the US, vasectomy is increasingly popular over time in almost all groups including fathers of large families, single men, and even among men with no children.
“Compensated Hypospermatogenesis”: A New study suggests that regardless of your sperm count today, an elevated FSH blood test forbodes a faster decline in fertility as time passes.
A review of an article published in the open access, peer reviewed journal: PLOS ONE by Boeri et al, (Published: January 19, 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280519). Questioning the accuracy and value of Semen analysis.
A Synopsis of a review article in the November 2022 Journal: Urology on the subject of emerging technology in the field. Authors include Parris Diaz and Ranjith Ramasamy. I will also give my commentary on the state of affairs as represented in this arti
A paper in the Journal: Urology December 2020 by Stair et al reports on differences in the health status as well as demographics of men who underwent vasectomies versus a cohort that did not. The results are surprising.
A paper in the Journal Andrology looks at the relationship, if any, between “perceived stress” and semen parameters as measured by the Trak Male Fertility Testing System .
A review of a study from Urology 159: 114-9, 2022 by Amulkar et al examining the prevalence of hyperprolactinemia/prolactinoma in a male infertility practice shows the condition to be uncommon but treatable. The Blog author also reviews his experience.
A review from an article by Halper et al: Urology 143:130-136 2020 describing the emergence of a small number of high-volume surgeons accounting for the majority of vasectomies performed in the US.
This Blog focuses on a report in Urology 157:131-137,2021 By Asanad et al regarding current practice patterns in the community of urologists that specialize in male infertility with respect to the management of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia.
A Retrospective Meta Analysis of the effect of 3 Supplements: Carnitine, Coenzyme Q 10 and Selenium was reported in recent publication of the Journal Urology: Urology (161) March 2022 p 4-12, Sharma et al.
It is known that any systemic illness or anything harmful to total body health can negatively affect sperm production. Is there a mechanism that can explain why, with respect to obesity, it affects some men more than others?
Success rates for mTESE (Microsurgical Testicular Sperm Extraction) vs. TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration) for the purposes of retrieving sperm for an IVF Cycle were assessed in a Scandinavian Study reported in the Journal European Urology.
Is your sex life different than it used to be? If you’re bothered by low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, or other changes, low testosterone might be to blame. Learn the signs and find out how male hormone replacement therapy can help.
Are you struggling with infertility? For couples affected by male infertility, reproductive system blockage is often to blame. Learn more about the male reproductive system, common causes of blockage, and what you can do to improve your fertility.
Obesity is a major health issue for American men. It increases your risk of serious conditions like heart disease and diabetes — and it also affects your sex life. Obesity is linked to erectile dysfunction, and now’s the time to learn more.
Kidney stones are common, but varying sizes and shapes mean symptoms aren’t always the same. Learn to recognize the most common symptoms of kidney stones, from lower back pain to foul-smelling urine, so you can get the treatment you need.
Hormone imbalance is often labeled as a women’s health issue. While it’s true that hormonal changes in menopause trigger notorious symptoms, men are at risk for hormone imbalance too. Learn more about low testosterone and how it can be treated.
A varicocele is an enlarged vein in your scrotum, and it’s a leading cause of male infertility. Learn the signs and symptoms of varicoceles and what your treatment options are here.
Hundreds of thousands of American men get vasectomies each year. It’s a popular and effective form of permanent birth control for men, but is it safe? Learn the possible risks of vasectomy and find out how you can reduce your risks here.
Kidney stones are common — and painful. Once you have one kidney stone, your risk of developing more increases. The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to lower your risk of kidney stone formation. Get our prevention tips here.
Regretting your vasectomy? A vasectomy reversal could be the solution you’re seeking. It’s an outpatient procedure that can be up to 90% effective. Find out more about it and what to expect during recovery.
The prostate is a small gland in the male reproductive system. From how it functions to the importance of regular prostate screenings, find out what you need to know about your prostate health here.
Testosterone is an important male hormone. It influences functions from sex drive and fertility to body weight and mood — but low testosterone is a common problem for many men. Learn the signs of low testosterone and what you can do about it.
Prostate cancer is common, especially among men over age 50. Early stage cancer is the most treatable, but without early symptoms, how is prostate cancer identified? Learn about the importance of regular prostate cancer screenings.
A vasectomy is considered a permanent method of male birth control. But if you’ve had a vasectomy, does that mean you can’t ever father a child? If your family planning goals have changed, vasectomy reversal could be right for you.
The decision to grow your family is an exciting one. But if you and your partner find out that having a baby isn’t as simple as you thought, it can be frustrating. Learn to recognize the signs of infertility so you can get the treatment you need.
Testicular sperm extraction can be a successful fertility treatment for men, whether they’re facing infertility or they previously had a vasectomy. If you’re infertile but you hope to father a child, it’s time to learn more about this microsurgery.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects millions of men, and it gets increasingly common with age. But is it an unavoidable part of getting older? Learn more about the signs of ED and how treatment could enhance your sex life, no matter your age.
Are you considering a vasectomy? It’s a safe and effective form of birth control, but the thought of undergoing surgery is enough to make anyone nervous. Learn what it’s like to recover from a vasectomy.
Kidney stones range in size, location, and mineral makeup, but they all have one thing in common: They can be very painful. Dr. Seaman discusses the common types of kidney stones.
As you get older, your testosterone level naturally decreases. But when it drops too far, you might notice unpleasant symptoms like low sex drive and loss of muscle mass. Learn to recognize the signs of low testosterone.
Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer affecting men, and your risk increases as you get older. Get regular prostate screenings to catch the disease early, and learn the signs of prostate cancer here.
Maybe you thought you didn’t want to have children in the future, but now your plans have changed. Though a vasectomy is a permanent form of birth control, it may be reversed. Find out if you’re a candidate for vasectomy reversal here.
Millions of men are living with erectile dysfunction (ED), a common but embarrassing medical condition. Sexual arousal and erections are complicated, and the causes of ED vary. Find out more about the causes of ED here.
Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that develop in your kidneys. Stones travel from the kidneys through the urinary tract, often causing intense pain along the way. We treat kidney stones of all sizes to minimize your pain.
Many couples experience infertility when trying for a baby. It’s common to assume that female infertility is the cause, but male infertility is just as common. Find out more about some of the most common myths surrounding male infertility here.
About 15% of men have varicoceles, which are enlarged veins in the scrotum. Varicoceles can cause pain and fertility problems, but varicocelectomy is a safe and effective treatment option.
Are you having bladder issues? Suffering from erectile dysfunction? These issues can be hard to talk about, but they could indicate an underlying condition. If you’re having any of these problems, a specialist can help.
Viagra®, nicknamed the little blue pill, is a prescription to treat erectile dysfunction. It’s a well-known medication, but there are a lot of myths surrounding it. Find out what’s fact and what’s fiction.
Dr. Seaman presented at the annual Translational Reproductive Biology and Clinical Reproductive Endocrinology conference on the correlation between Cap Score Utility and Varicocelectomy.
Erectile dysfunction is hard to talk about, even with your doctor. Sometimes, though, it’s due to an underlying condition that may be putting your overall health at risk. Don’t live with erectile dysfunction. Talk to your doctor today.
When male infertility is caused by an absence of sperm in your ejaculate, there are ways to retrieve them from the testes. Find out more about the different sperm extraction methods.
Prostate cancer is one of the leading cancers affecting men in the United States. There’s good news, though. New, advanced treatments can reduce the threat of prostate cancer tumors by starving them of the fuel they need to grow.
Getting a prostate cancer diagnosis is scary, especially since it’s the second leading cause of death among American men. But did you know that it doesn’t always require intervention? Read on to learn how to know when you may need treatment.
Varicoceles affect approximately 15% of adult men and nearly 20% of adolescents. While varicoceles aren’t dangerous, they can lead to fertility problems. Here’s how to recognize the signs of this common issue and to see if you’re at risk.
There are many reasons why we may need to extract sperm, and there are many ways we go about it. Here’s a look at some of the more common procedures for retrieving your sperm.
Kidney stones are a reminder that even a relatively tiny medical abnormality can cause great pain. You can’t always prevent them, but you can take practical and simple steps to significantly reduce your risks of developing kidney stones.
So, since having a vasectomy, you’ve changed your mind and now want to have children? You’re not alone. Many men have their vasectomy reversed. Your success rate depends on many factors, none greater than the skill level of your surgeon. .
Low testosterone, or low-T, affects all men to some degree as they get older. But if your testosterone drops too low, it causes distressing problems for men, like loss of their sex drive. Take a moment to learn the five signs of low testosterone.
The New WHO Manual on Semen Analysis has been released. Dr. Eric Seaman gives commentary on a Review sponsored by the American Society of Andrology, and also points out some deficiencies and controversy with the current approach to male infertility.
Just because it’s natural, doesn’t mean it’s good for you or even harmless: African Bush Mango in high doses can harm male fertility as well as liver function.
A recent report from the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Mucci et al states there might be a very small increase in risk over all and a larger increased risk for advanced or lethal prostate cancer.
A common referral for a urologist, especially for those with a focus on infertility, is for the evaluation of a 13, 14 or 15 year old boy who is discovered by his pediatrician to have a large left varicocele, or abnormally dilated veins in the scrotum.
Being overweight is looked at differently in the modern era. As America’s waist line expands, focus has been redirected to the consequences of those extra pounds.
Semen analysis also known as the “sperm count” or “semen test” remains the standard initial laboratory test in the evaluation of male fertility or infertility.
In July 2014, a research team at the Harvard School of Public Health exhumed the debate about a potential relationship between vasectomy and prostate cancer.