I am a Single Man and I Desire Fertility or to Preserve my Reproductive Future
Specialists in IVF and ICSI
Male infertility refers to a man’s inability to conceive a pregnancy in a female sexual partner after a reasonable period of unprotected sexual intercourse.
Approximately one-third of infertility cases are attributed to exclusively male problems
Environmental and Habitual Factors That Generally Affect Men
Chronic stress negatively impacts reproductive capacity by altering hormonal production, particularly cortisol, which can affect sperm production.
Exposure to chemicals found in personal care products and the environment, such as endocrine disruptors, can damage semen quality and male reproductive function.
Tobacco and excessive alcohol reduce semen quality and harm testicular function.
Constant exposure to high temperatures and radiation from electronic devices can affect sperm production and disrupt the reproductive system’s balance.
While age is often discussed in relation to female fertility, it also influences semen quality and male fertility. Understanding how aging affects reproductive capacity in men is essential.
Infertility Summary
SIGNS: Often lacks noticeable symptoms.
DIAGNOSIS: Semen analysis or direct sperm analysis (DSA) is crucial to assess sperm count, mobility, and morphology. Alterations in these parameters often hinder egg fertilization.
WHAT TO DO: Supporting your partner in the process is valuable. The initial visit provides an opportunity to understand the diagnosis and how to support the treatment.
TREATMENT: A plan is developed after comprehensive evaluation of both partners. Our experts will guide the steps toward building a family.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Common is Male Infertility?
Male infertility is a relatively common issue that affects a significant proportion of couples struggling to conceive. It is estimated that between 40% and 50% of infertility cases in couples are due to male factors. In general, about 7% to 10% of men of reproductive age experience fertility problems.
The causes of male infertility include issues with sperm production, alterations in sperm motility or morphology, blockages in the reproductive ducts, hormonal imbalances, infections, and exposure to toxins or environmental factors, among others. Since infertility is a multifactorial issue, it is crucial to perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine the specific cause in each case.
What are the Signs of Infertility?
The signs of male infertility can vary, and in many cases, there are no obvious symptoms, making it difficult to detect the problem without a medical examination. However, some signs and symptoms that may indicate male fertility issues include:
Changes in sexual function:
Difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction).
Problems with ejaculation, such as delayed ejaculation, premature ejaculation, or lack of ejaculation.
Decreased sexual desire.
Pain or swelling in the testicles:
A feeling of heaviness, swelling, or pain in the testicles, which could be a sign of varicocele (enlarged veins in the testicles) or infections.
Hormonal problems:
Low testosterone levels may manifest as a decreased libido, fatigue, loss of muscle mass, or abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia).
Changes in semen volume:
Reduced amount of semen released during ejaculation.
Recurrent infections of the reproductive tract:
Frequent infections can interfere with sperm production or block its passage.
Body weight issues:
Obesity or extreme underweight can be associated with hormonal imbalances that affect fertility.
Genetic or hereditary conditions:
Family history of reproductive issues or genetic conditions like Klinefelter syndrome.
In many cases, men with fertility problems may not show visible symptoms. The best way to evaluate male fertility is through a semen analysis and a comprehensive medical evaluation to identify potential underlying causes.
Why are Male Fertility Issues Iancreasing?
Male fertility issues have been on the rise in recent decades due to several factors, both environmental and lifestyle-related. Here are some key reasons why male fertility problems are increasing:
Environmental Toxins:
Increased exposure to harmful chemicals and pollutants, such as pesticides, heavy metals, plastics (like BPA), and industrial chemicals, can negatively affect sperm production and quality. These substances can disrupt hormone levels and damage reproductive organs.
Lifestyle Factors:
Diet and Obesity: Poor dietary habits and rising obesity rates are linked to hormonal imbalances, which can affect sperm production and quality.
Smoking, Alcohol, and Drug Use:
Tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption, and recreational drugs can impair sperm function and reduce sperm count.
Lack of Exercise: Sedentary lifestyles contribute to obesity and other metabolic issues, which can negatively affect fertility.
Stress:
Chronic stress can lead to hormonal imbalances, including lower testosterone levels, which are crucial for sperm production. Stress also affects sexual function, leading to problems like erectile dysfunction and reduced libido.
Increased Use of Technology:
Prolonged exposure to heat from laptops, mobile phones, and tight clothing can raise the temperature around the scrotum, affecting sperm production. Additionally, exposure to radiation from electronic devices has raised concerns about potential impacts on male fertility.
Delayed Parenthood:
Many men are choosing to have children later in life. As men age, sperm quality tends to decline, increasing the risk of fertility issues.
Hormonal Disruptors:
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in everyday products like plastics, cosmetics, and household items can interfere with the body’s hormonal balance, impacting testosterone levels and sperm production.
Medical Conditions:
Conditions such as diabetes, varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can damage sperm or impair its production. Increasing rates of obesity and metabolic disorders also play a significant role in declining male fertility.
Modern Diets and Nutrient Deficiency:
Diets high in processed foods and low in essential nutrients like zinc, selenium, and antioxidants can negatively affect sperm quality. Nutritional deficiencies can impair sperm motility and overall reproductive health.
Endocrine Disorders:
Conditions such as hypogonadism (low testosterone levels) and other hormone-related disorders are on the rise, contributing to male infertility.
This combination of environmental and lifestyle factors creates a significant challenge for male fertility in today’s world.
Examination and Evaluation
Seminal analysis or direct sperm analysis (DSA) is crucial in evaluating male fertility. Parameters such as quantity, mobility, and appearance of sperm align with WHO guidelines (2010).
FERTILITE has experts in Andrology and precise technology for these evaluations.
PROCEDURE: The study requires abstinence from sexual activity for 2 to 5 days. On the day of your DSA appointment, you’ll receive a sterile container to collect the sample. It will be evaluated, and you’ll have the report in no more than 2 hours.
DSA is usually performed before the consultation to discuss the results during the appointment, along with a comprehensive physical assessment. During this consultation, our specialists will plan the next steps of treatment.
Origins of Infertility
-
Sexual or ejaculatory dysfunction
-
Systemic, testicular, or prostatic infections
-
Varicocele (varicose veins in testicles)
-
Vascular or traumatic injuries
-
Testicular or pituitary tumors
-
Tumors and treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy
-
Abuse of anabolic steroids
Genetic origins:
-
Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
-
Idiopathic testicular failure
-
Klinefelter syndrome
-
AZF deletion
-
Y-chromosome microdeletions
-
Cystic fibrosis
-
Mutations in cystic fibrosis genes
Unlike women, age doesn’t affect male fertility, but sperm quality decreases over time.
How Do Environment And Lifestyle Affect Fertility?
Habits like alcohol consumption, tobacco use, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle can frequently impact the concentration and quality of sperm. Specifically, smoking has been linked to reduced sperm concentration and slower motility, hindering their ability to reach the egg and achieve fertilization.
In addition to these lifestyle factors, environmental influences such as pollution and the presence of certain chemical substances, like parabens found in creams or shampoos, can also potentially affect fertility. Parabens are commonly added as preservatives to prevent the growth of microorganisms, fungi, or bacteria within the product.
Fertility Plan for Each Stage
What Therapeutic Options Exist?
Sperm capacitation is crucial. It involves selecting, nurturing, and capacitating high-quality sperm for fertilization, done in the andrology laboratory. This optimized sample supports conception.
If sperm analysis doesn’t allow capacitation, the fertility specialist will guide the next steps, focused on solving problems like infections or obstructions.
Therapeutic options may include direct aspiration of sperm from the testicle or epididymis, improving the sample for IVF and ICSI.
We provide treatments to achieve pregnancy:
IVF + ICSI
(In Vitro Fertilization With Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
Success Through Knowledge and Experience
CHANCE OF PREGNANCY
*Success varies by age and day of embryo transfer.
How to Identify a Good Fertility Clinic?
Success in treatment depends not only on personal biology but also on the choice of the center.
Factors to consider:
- Multidisciplinary team with specialists in Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine, Andrology, Embryology, among others.
- Personalized treatments based on life stage.
- Constant updates to apply the latest scientific advances.
- High-quality technology available at the clinic.
- Success backed by documented rates.
- Certifications from National and International Medical Associations.
Preservation of Male Fertility
Male fertility preservation is a set of medical techniques designed to help men maintain the ability to have children in the future, even if they are exposed to factors that could compromise their fertility. These factors can include medical treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgeries that could affect sperm production. It may also be relevant for men who wish to delay fatherhood for various personal or professional reasons.
The main techniques for male fertility preservation are:
Sperm Cryopreservation
This is the most common and effective technique. It involves collecting and freezing sperm for storage at very low temperatures.
Frozen sperm can be preserved for years and used later for in vitro fertilization (IVF) or artificial insemination.
Testicular Biopsy and Cryopreservation of Testicular Tissue
In cases where a man cannot ejaculate or doesn’t produce enough sperm, a testicular biopsy can be performed to obtain testicular tissue containing sperm.
These sperm can be frozen and used in IVF procedures in the future.
Freezing of Testicular Tissue
In some cases, when sperm cannot be found in the testicular biopsy, a small portion of testicular tissue can be frozen.
If future techniques are developed to extract sperm directly from this tissue or to stimulate sperm production, this tissue could be used for fertility.
Freezing of Spermatogonia
Spermatogonia are the stem cells that give rise to sperm.
While this technique is in its early stages of development, the idea is to freeze these cells for potential use in future reproduction therapies.
We incorporate these principles into our daily practice!
Road To A Dream
*Treatment costs
Our Packages:
Direct Spermatobioscopy (EBD) – $85 USD*
Sperm Processing (Improvement): $295 USD*
Testicular Biopsy: $2,000 USD*
Semen Freezing: $300 USD*
Save up to 70% vs US Prices
We know that cost is often a concern when patients are considering treatments. Our goal is to be as transparent and helpful as possible, we have listed our egg vitrification costs. There may be charges for additional services if your particular case requires them and these will be discussed with you based on your individualized treatment plan before treatment begins. For more details feel free to contact us. * Costs can be adjusted to the exchange rate in Mexican national currency.
