Age-related male infertility is more common than most people realize

The doctors at our Indianapolis fertility clinic can help patients move past age-related male infertility by using a combination of effective evaluations and treatments. There are a number of issues that can cause a man’s fertility to decline as he ages. These factors are the cause of fertility challenges more often than many realize. However, this does not mean that a man will not be able to fulfill his dream of fatherhood.

Exploring the causes of age-related male infertility

Many of the fertility issues that men can face as they age relate to sperm. There are also additional circumstances that could prevent a man from conceiving a healthy baby with his partner, without the support of fertility treatments.

Sperm quality, quantity and motility can decrease with age. In some cases, the sperm cannot attach to the head of the egg or cannot penetrate the egg.
Andropause, is a process similar to menopause that can lead to erectile dysfunction.
Hypogonadism, or low testosterone levels, can decrease sperm production and lead to erectile dysfunction.
Azoospermia, a condition where a male’s ejaculate does not contain sperm, can sometimes relate to age and fertility.

The doctors at our Indianapolis fertility clinic utilize a variety of tests to determine how age-related male infertility is impacting a patient’s ability to have a baby.

Male fertility evaluations uncover barriers to fatherhood

Our fertility specialists often recommend testing to provide insight into a man’s sperm health, genetics, hormones and other aspects of his reproductive well-being.

Semen analysis. Male fertility evaluations typically begin with a semen analysis. If the doctor discovers certain abnormalities, the man might be sent to a urologist for further testing.

Genetic testing. This type of testing can reveal genetic abnormalities that can inform the fertility treatments a doctor recommends.

Hormone evaluation. A blood test can measure follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin. These hormones affect a man’s sperm production and sexual function.

Additional testing. If standard tests do not provide answers, the doctor might suggest specialized exams like the hypo-osmotic swelling test, sperm penetration assay or computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA).

After pinpointing how age-related male infertility is influencing a patient’s fertility challenges, the doctors at our Indianapolis fertility clinic develop a customized treatment plan.

Effective fertility treatments for men can make parenthood possible

Our clinic utilizes fertility treatments that often help patients overcome their fertility struggles. These treatments involve leading-edge technologies that our doctors are experts in employing.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This popular treatment involves an embryologist injecting a single sperm into the center of a mature egg during an IVF cycle.
IVF with microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA). IVF with MESA consists of collecting semen from a male patient who can produce sperm but cannot ejaculate it.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI). This simple procedure involves a fertility doctor inserting sperm into the uterus of the female patient or a gestational surrogate.
IVF with donor sperm. When a man’s sperm are not viable, we can utilize donor sperm to fertilize the egg during IVF.

The specialists at our Indianapolis fertility clinic focus on helping patients move forward on the path to parenthood, while honoring their unique timing and financial needs.