Medical and surgical management male infertility

Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2007 Jun;36(2):313-31. doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2007.03.003.

Abstract

Male infertility is the result of a variety of highly treatable conditions. The critical step in treating male infertility is to evaluate properly every male partner of an infertile couple and to generate the proper treatment strategy. There are many medical and surgical options that can help most couples overcome male factor infertility. Male infertility can most easily be broken down into problems of sperm production (testicular dysfunction) and problems of sperm transport (obstruction). When applicable, medical therapies are used as an initial strategy to improve sperm production or as a preliminary therapy to boost production transiently in anticipation of a surgical sperm retrieval attempt. A range of surgical options is available to correct varicoceles, reconstruct the obstructed system, or retrieve sperm for assisted reproduction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Androgens / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aromatase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Cholinergic Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Complementary Therapies
  • Estrogen Receptor Modulators / therapeutic use
  • Gonadotropins / therapeutic use
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / drug therapy*
  • Infertility, Male / surgery*
  • Male
  • Sperm Retrieval
  • Sympathomimetics / therapeutic use
  • Varicocele / surgery
  • Vasovasostomy

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Androgens
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Aromatase Inhibitors
  • Cholinergic Antagonists
  • Estrogen Receptor Modulators
  • Gonadotropins
  • Sympathomimetics