Male infertility is a prevalent condition, often underestimated in its frequency. If you find yourself struggling to conceive, it's crucial to recognize that male factors contribute to infertility in approximately 50% of cases. At PriMALE Health, we are dedicated to addressing this fundamental aspect of reproductive health, providing insights, assessments, and treatments essential for enhancing male fertility.
​
Our Approach to Empowering Male Fertility
We are committed to assisting you in improving your fertility through a thoughtful and tailored approach. Our primary focus is on enhancing male fertility from a non-surgical perspective, utilizing evidence-based practices and personalized treatment plans. However, should surgical intervention be deemed necessary for your specific situation, rest assured that we will refer you to a trusted surgeon specializing in male reproductive health. Throughout this process, we stand by your side, offering guidance and support to ensure your journey to improved fertility is as smooth and successful as possible.
Thorough Assessment: Uncovering the Root Causes
Our journey begins with a comprehensive assessment designed to understand your unique fertility profile. Advanced diagnostics, including semen analysis, hormone testing, and physical examinations, form the basis of this rigorous evaluation. The primary goal is to pinpoint the underlying causes of male infertility. Our initial focus is on addressing correctable factors, with the primary aim of assisting couples in conceiving naturally.
Personalized Treatment Plans: Tailored to Your Needs
We firmly believe that male infertility is not a one-size-fits-all challenge. Our experienced healthcare professionals collaborate closely with you to design a personalized treatment plan aligned with your specific needs and goals. This comprehensive approach may encompass lifestyle modifications, medications, and non-surgical interventions. Our initial goal is to provide you with non-invasive solutions that enhance your fertility.
Hope and Support: Addressing Emotional Aspects
Facing male infertility can be emotionally challenging, as the journey to parenthood is deeply personal and can involve emotional ups and downs. At PriMALE Health, we go beyond providing medical solutions; we offer emotional support and guidance to help you navigate this journey. Understanding the emotional aspects of infertility is integral to your overall well-being during this process.
ART: Assuring Optimal Sperm for Assisted Reproductive Techniques
While our initial goal is to facilitate natural conception, we acknowledge that assisted reproductive techniques (ART) may be necessary in some cases. If ART becomes a consideration, we are committed to ensuring that the sperm used is of optimal quality to maximize the chances of success. We work closely with you to explore ART options and provide the best prospects for realizing your dreams of parenthood.
​
At PriMALE Health, we empower you with knowledge, personalized care, and unwavering support, ensuring that you're not alone on this path. Our approach is to enhance male fertility from a non-surgical perspective, but we are always prepared to explore surgical intervention when needed. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and embark on the journey to confirm and optimize your fertility, moving forward with hope, confidence, and determination.
FELLOW:
Home Semen Analysis Kit
Empowerment at Your Fingertips
Introducing the FELLOW: Home Semen Analysis Kit – a groundbreaking solution designed to prioritize your reproductive health with unparalleled convenience. Tailored with your comfort in mind, the kit offers distinct advantages for male patients:
​
1. Privacy and Comfort: The semen analysis kit empowers you to collect a semen sample in the comfort and privacy of your own home, eliminating the stress and awkwardness associated with on-site collection.
​
2. Convenient and Time-Saving: Bid farewell to the hassle and stress of rushing through traffic to deliver your semen sample on time. You can provide your sample at your convenience, avoiding disruptions to your schedule. The patented preservation system ensures the safe transit of your sample to the lab, eliminating the need for hurried drives and allowing for a quick, efficient process that seamlessly integrates into your daily routine.
​
3. Reduced Stress: By enabling at-home sample collection, the semen analysis kit minimizes the anxiety often linked to on-site sample production, promoting a more relaxed and accurate representation of your reproductive health.
​
4. Easy-to-Follow Instructions: The user-friendly guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions, ensuring a straightforward collection process. We've made it simple, so you can focus on understanding your reproductive health with ease.
​
5. Timely Results: Send your sample back using the prepaid packaging and rest assured knowing that the advanced laboratory processes deliver accurate and timely results. Gain insights into your fertility potential promptly.
​
6. Comprehensive Analysis: The semen analysis kit provides a thorough evaluation of crucial parameters such as sperm count, motility, and morphology, offering a comprehensive understanding of your reproductive health. If your semen analysis results indicate any abnormalities, we recommend scheduling a consultation with our male fertility experts who will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan.
​
Empower yourself with the FELLOW: Home Semen Analysis Kit, a solution that not only puts you in control but also provides the support you need to optimize your reproductive health journey.
​
FAQs:
How do I know if Fellow is right for me?
FELLOW is a simple, mail-in kit for checking your sperm at home. Whether you're planning to have a baby soon, thinking about it someday, or just curious about your reproductive health, FELLOW is the easiest and affordable way to get info about your fertility.
​
What's inside the kit?
Your semen analysis kit includes a specimen container (the thing you ejaculate into), a vial of preservation solution (designed to keep your sperm healthy in transit), detailed instructions (to help you get it right), and a gel pack (to help stabilize the temperature of your sample while it makes its way to our lab). Your kit will ship in an outer box that can be discarded. The kit itself functions as a return shipper box, and it will already have the return shipping label attached to it.
​
Can I use my Fellow kit anytime? When is the best time to produce my sample?
You'll need to produce your sample after you've been abstinent (meaning no sex, no masturbation, no ejaculation whatsoever) for a minimum of 48 hours, but a maximum of 5 days. Once you're within the abstinence window, plan to produce your sample on a Monday through Thursday morning or early afternoon, leaving ample time to make it to your local UPS Store before the overnight shipping cutoff (usually around 4 PM but can vary by location).
​
Can I use a lubricant to help create my sample?
No. Most lubricants contain spermicides—AKA chemicals that kill your sperm—so avoid them. Saliva and lotion are also a no-go, as they can introduce bacteria into your sample. If you think this might be an issue for you, please reach out to us.
​
I’m worried about the volume of my sample. How much do I need to create in order for my sample to be analyzed?
Do your best. The lab will reach out to you if they are unable to process your sample due to insufficient volume. For some men, increasing arousal time can make a big difference. Decreasing stress can also help. So do your best to relax before testing and cultivate an environment in which you will feel comfortable. If you have concerns about your ejaculate volume, please schedule a consultation with one of our healthcare providers.
​
​
Understanding Semen Analysis
Optimize Your Path to Parenthood
At PriMALE Health, we are committed to providing couples with comprehensive knowledge about semen analysis, guided by the latest WHO 6th Edition released in July 2021. Semen analysis is a pivotal tool for assessing male reproductive health, offering essential insights into fertility, and guiding personalized treatment plans.
​
​Poor lifestyle choices, such as alcohol consumption, smoking, and recreational drug use, can have significant negative effects on male fertility. Here's a breakdown of the impact of each:
-
Alcohol:
-
Sperm Quality: Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a decrease in sperm count, motility, and morphology (shape). It may also contribute to an increase in DNA fragmentation in sperm.
-
Hormonal Changes: Alcohol can disrupt hormonal balance, affecting the production of testosterone and other hormones crucial for sperm production.
-
Smoking:
-
Sperm Quality: Smoking has been linked to decreased sperm count, motility, and morphology. The harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke, such as nicotine and cadmium, can directly impact sperm health.
-
DNA Damage: Smoking can cause DNA damage to sperm, increasing the risk of genetic abnormalities in offspring.
-
Recreational Drug Use:
-
Marijuana: Some studies suggest that marijuana use may lead to reduced sperm count and motility. THC, the active component in marijuana, can affect the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in sperm development.
-
Cocaine and Opioids: Cocaine and opioids can disrupt the hormonal balance and directly affect sperm production. They may also lead to erectile dysfunction.
-
Anabolic Steroids:
-
Hormonal Imbalance: The use of anabolic steroids, often associated with bodybuilding, can lead to hormonal imbalances. This can result in testicular atrophy, reduced sperm production, and decreased fertility.
-
Obesity:
-
Hormonal Changes: Obesity is associated with hormonal imbalances, including reduced testosterone levels. This can affect sperm production and quality.
-
Temperature Regulation: Increased body fat can lead to higher scrotal temperatures, which may negatively impact sperm production.
​
Identifying and addressing factors affecting semen parameters is a crucial step in optimizing male fertility. At PriMALE Health, our comprehensive and non-surgical approach focuses on correcting correctable factors before considering surgical interventions. Here are some common semen parameters and their potential causes:
​
-
Volume (≥1.5 ml):
-
Causes of Low Volume: Dehydration, obstruction of ejaculatory ducts, retrograde ejaculation.
-
Impact on Fertility: Insufficient sperm transport, reducing the chances of successful fertilization.
-
-
Appearance (Grey and opaque):
-
Causes of Abnormal Appearance: Varicocele, infections, hormonal imbalances.
-
Impact on Fertility: Changes in appearance may indicate underlying health issues affecting sperm production or function.
-
-
pH (>7.2):
-
Causes of Elevated pH: Prostate infections, seminal vesicle dysfunction, bacterial infections.
-
Impact on Fertility: Imbalances can affect sperm function and reduce fertility; higher pH levels support sperm survival in the female reproductive tract.​
-
​
-
Total Sperm Count (>39 million):
-
Causes of Low Total Sperm Count:
-
Varicocele: Swelling of veins in the testicles can affect sperm production.
-
Hormonal Imbalances: Disruptions in hormonal levels can impact sperm production.
-
Obstruction of Reproductive Ducts: Blockages in the ducts can hinder the release of sperm.
-
Testicular Overheating: Elevated testicular temperature may affect sperm production.
-
Genetic Factors: Inherited factors can influence overall sperm count.
-
Impact on Fertility: A low total sperm count can reduce the likelihood of successful fertilization, as the overall quantity of sperm available for reaching and penetrating the egg is diminished.
-
-
Concentration (>15 million/ml):
-
Causes of Low Sperm Concentration: Varicocele, hormonal imbalances, obstruction of reproductive ducts.
-
Impact on Fertility: Reduced likelihood of successful fertilization as fewer sperm are available for reaching and penetrating the egg.
-
-
Motility (Total = >40% or Progressive = >32%):
-
Causes of Poor Motility: Varicocele, hormonal imbalances, testicular overheating.
-
Impact on Fertility: Hindered ability of sperm to navigate the female reproductive tract and reach the egg for fertilization.
-
-
Morphology (>4% normal forms):
-
Causes of Abnormal Morphology: Genetic factors, varicocele, exposure to toxins.
-
Impact on Fertility: Potential issues with sperm development, affecting their ability to fertilize an egg.
-
-
Leukocytes (<1 million/ml):
-
Causes of Elevated Leukocytes: Infections in the reproductive or urinary tract, inflammation, prostate infections.
-
Impact on Fertility: Elevated levels may indicate infections that can impair sperm function and reduce fertility.
-
​
Our personalized and evidence-based approach at PriMALE Health involves thorough assessments and targeted interventions to address these factors. We prioritize non-surgical methods to enhance male fertility and, if needed, will make the best referrals for surgical solutions, such as varicocelectomy or interventions for obstruction. Contact us today to embark on a comprehensive and tailored journey toward optimizing your fertility and overall reproductive health.
​
​
Male Infertility FAQs
-
What is male infertility, and how is it defined?
-
Male infertility refers to the inability of a man to contribute to conception. It is typically defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after one year of unprotected intercourse.
-
-
What are the common causes of male infertility?
-
Common causes include sperm disorders, hormonal imbalances, structural issues, genetic factors, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and certain medications.
-
-
At what point should a couple seek help for male infertility?
-
If a couple has been actively trying to conceive for one year without success, it is advisable to seek medical assistance. If there are known risk factors or concerns, seeking help earlier is recommended.
-
-
How is male infertility diagnosed?
-
Diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation, including a semen analysis, hormonal testing, and physical examinations. Additional tests may be conducted based on the initial findings.
-
-
Can lifestyle changes improve male fertility?
-
Yes, certain lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress, quitting smoking, and moderating alcohol intake can positively impact male fertility.
-
-
What treatments are available for male infertility?
-
Treatments may include medications to address hormonal imbalances, surgical interventions to correct structural issues, and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
-
-
Is male infertility always related to a sperm issue?
-
While sperm disorders are a common cause, male infertility can also result from hormonal imbalances, structural issues, genetic factors, or a combination of factors.
-
-
Can male infertility be prevented?
-
Preventive measures include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding excessive heat exposure to the genital area, and promptly addressing any underlying health conditions that may impact fertility.
-
-
How does age affect male fertility?
-
While men can produce sperm throughout their lives, advanced paternal age may be associated with a decline in sperm quality and an increased risk of certain genetic conditions in offspring.
-
-
Can I still conceive if I have been taking testosterone replacement therapy like testosterone cypionate?
-
The impact of testosterone replacement therapy on fertility can vary. It's crucial to discuss your specific situation with a healthcare provider, as testosterone therapy may affect sperm production. They can provide guidance on potential options and considerations for conception.
-