After deciding to become parents, most people think getting pregnant will be fast and easy. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people to find that they are still not pregnant after months of trying. If a person has not become pregnant within a year, we suggest they consider fertility testing.
At CCRM, we offer both female and male fertility testing to diagnose the most likely source of infertility.
Low sperm count is one of the most common sources of male infertility. Fortunately, our fertility doctors offer many treatments for low sperm count and pregnancy, so our patients at any of our nationwide network of fertility clinics can increase their chances of conceiving and experiencing the joys of parenthood.
Hormone Treatment
After determining that one of our male patients has a low sperm count, we will typically recommend additional testing to determine what is causing the problem. If we find that our patient has a hormonal imbalance, we may recommend hormonal treatment to correct the issue.
A number of hormonal medications may be prescribed to improve hormone levels, depending on each patient’s specific issue. In some cases, hormonal treatment may be enough to address low sperm count, but if semen analysis shows that levels are significantly abnormal, alternate fertility treatments may be necessary.
Intrauterine Insemination
Intrauterine insemination, or IUI, is a great treatment option for men with a low sperm count. During this procedure, a washed and concentrated semen sample is injected directly into the uterus. This improves the chance of conception by greatly reducing the distance that sperm needs to travel to reach the egg. The washing process also helps with low sperm count because it separates sperm from the seminal fluid to ensure that it is free of chemicals when it reaches the uterus.
In Vitro Fertilization
Another fertility treatment for low sperm count that can be successful is in vitro fertilization, or IVF. During IVF, eggs are collected so they can be fertilized in a laboratory. Sperm is introduced directly to the egg, so sperm count is not so important, as the sperm doesn’t have to travel to reach the egg. If necessary, IVF can even be performed using intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI. Using ICSI, a single sperm is retrieved from a semen sample and injected directly into the egg.
Donor Sperm
Most of our patients who struggle with low sperm count are able to find success through one of the above-mentioned treatments. However, if fertility treatments have proven ineffective, or if the count and quality of the sperm are particularly low, we may recommend a sperm donor. Donor sperm can be used for either IUI treatment or IVF. By using a donor with high-quality sperm and a high sperm count, we can increase the likelihood that fertility treatments will be a success for our patients.
