Battling Male Infertility
Jay Sandlow, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin urologist; vice chairman of Urology
When a couple is having trouble getting pregnant, many people think the problem lies with the woman. But that's a common misconception. In fact, men are just about as likely to have problems with fertility as their female partners. It's a health issue that can cause a great deal ofemotional stress, but the good new is, there is help.
Jay Sandlow, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin urologist and vice chairman of Urology, specializes in treating male infertility. "Two common causes of infertility in men are low sperm production that can come from a varicocele (dilated veins around the testicles) — and impaired sperm delivery, which is usually caused by a blockage in the vas deferens, the duct carrying sperm from the body. We can treat the varicocele by fixing it surgically, and most blockages can be repaired through surgery as well. In some cases, abnormal hormone production may be a factor, and this can be addressed medically."
Dr. Sandlow adds that certain lifestyle factors can affect male fertility — such as smoking or street drug use, both of which influence sperm production. The Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Reproductive Medicine Clinic offers a wide range of treatment options for male and female infertility, starting with a thorough medical exam and history, followed by a coordinated team approach to plan individualized treatment.
"It's less expensive and less invasive to do a complete work-up on the man," Dr. Sandlow says. "So by having the male partner involved right from the start, we can save a couple time and money."
To learn more about the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Reproductive Medicine Program, visit froedtert.com or call 414.805.3666 or 800.272.3666.