Nearly half of all infertility problems are attributed to the male half of the couple. Therefore, it is extremely common and necessary to test both partners when trying to determine the possible causes of infertility.
You may be surprised when you see an infertility specialist and they ask to test the man first. Some see this as unfair and feel as if the finger is being pointed unjustly at them. This is a normal reaction, but you must understand that there is a good reason for testing the man first. The tests performed through a semen analysis are a lot less invasive than the tests involved in diagnosing a female patient.
A semen analysis can tell your infertility doctor a lot about your semen and your sperm. First, your semen will be analyzed. When you look at the results, you may have questions.
Viscosity refers to the liquidity of the semen. The semen will be checked for thickening after ejaculation. If it does not stay liquid, then sperm can have trouble maneuvering through it to fertilize an egg, or the sperm may actually be killed. This could indicate an infection.
The fructose levels of the sample will also be checked. Low levels could make for slow, motionless or stalemate sperm. The sperm need fructose for energy to give themselves the forward momentum and speed necessary for fertilizing an egg.
The pH balance of the semen should be alkaline. This protects it from the acidic vaginal fluids that it will come in contact with.
The sperm is the next thing to be examined in your semen analysis. Sperm is analyzed for motility, morphology, clumping and volume.
Volume refers to how many sperm are present in your semen sample. A sperm count is considered low if it is below 20 million sperm per milliliter. If there are no sperm present at all, then you may be diagnosed as azoospermic. Sperm count is affected by many factors and more than one sample may be needed to determine that it is actually the cause of infertility.
Clumping occurs when sperm sticks together and is rendered immobile. If there is no way for the sperm to break free and become mobile, then it can not fertilize an egg.
Motility measures how well your sperm can move and produce a forward motion. Ideally, a good portion of your sperm should be able to swim fast in a forward motion. Some may swim in a sideways or irregular pattern. Some may have no forward motion at all, even though they appear active. Inactive sperm are unable to move at all.
The morphology of the sperm refers to its shape. The shape of the sperm should consist of an oval head, a defined mid-piece and a long tail. All semen samples have some irregular sperm with two tails, round heads, no tails, no mid-piece or other deformity. If there are too many irregular sperm, then conception may be difficult.
Talk to your infertility specialist about any questions you may have concerning your semen analysis. This information is provided by Dr. Eric Daiter MD.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter (Eric Daiter), the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER. Dr. Eric Daiter MD offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
When Do I Ovulate?
Ovulation refers to the time when an egg is released from its mature follicle. Many women are interested in timing their ovulation. This can be either for birth control purposes, or conception timing.
The ovaries produce your eggs. Follicles are formed and mature throughout your menstrual cycle. Follicles are like little caves where eggs are kept. The follicle grows and fills up with fluid. The egg stays attached to the side of the follicle until ovulation occurs. Ovulation occurs when the follicle becomes full of fluid and burst open.
When the follicle releases its fluid, the egg releases and goes with it. The fluid helps the egg to travel. The egg and fluid enter the fallopian tube and travel down towards the uterus. During this time, the egg is ready to be fertilized. I it encounters sperm and one of the sperm enter it, then the egg will try to implant inside of the uterus.
Most women have about a twenty eight day menstrual cycle. Ovulation occurs around day fourteen. Start counting the days of your cycle when menstrual bleeding begins. The first day of your period is day one of your cycle. Therefore, most women ovulate two weeks after their period starts.
If your cycle is irregular, shorter or longer than twenty eight days, then you may get a more accurate ovulation prediction by counting back fourteen days before the first day of your period. The time between ovulation and menstrual bleeding is almost always fourteen days, regardless of the length of your cycle.
If you ovulate irregularly, then it can be difficult to predict the best times to get pregnant, or it could even be an infertility concern if ovulation only happens every few months. This is called anovulation. Some women never ovulate at all.
Many women are not aware of ovulation problems until they try to get pregnant. There are a number of treatments that can help you ovulate, so you should begin treatment with an infertility specialist if you suspect that you are not ovulating regularly. Medications can help to mature your eggs and facilitate their release, increasing the number of times per year that you ovulate. This can greatly improve your chances of conception if anovulation is the main cause of your infertility.
There are ovulation prediction kits available over the counter if you are interested in tracking your ovulation. Basal body temperature thermometers are also helpful in tracking ovulation. Talk with your doctor about any concerns that you may have concerning your problems with conception.
This information is brought to you by Dr. Eric Daiter MD.
About the Author: Dr. (Eric Daiter), the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER. Dr. Eric Daiter MD offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT.
The ovaries produce your eggs. Follicles are formed and mature throughout your menstrual cycle. Follicles are like little caves where eggs are kept. The follicle grows and fills up with fluid. The egg stays attached to the side of the follicle until ovulation occurs. Ovulation occurs when the follicle becomes full of fluid and burst open.
When the follicle releases its fluid, the egg releases and goes with it. The fluid helps the egg to travel. The egg and fluid enter the fallopian tube and travel down towards the uterus. During this time, the egg is ready to be fertilized. I it encounters sperm and one of the sperm enter it, then the egg will try to implant inside of the uterus.
Most women have about a twenty eight day menstrual cycle. Ovulation occurs around day fourteen. Start counting the days of your cycle when menstrual bleeding begins. The first day of your period is day one of your cycle. Therefore, most women ovulate two weeks after their period starts.
If your cycle is irregular, shorter or longer than twenty eight days, then you may get a more accurate ovulation prediction by counting back fourteen days before the first day of your period. The time between ovulation and menstrual bleeding is almost always fourteen days, regardless of the length of your cycle.
If you ovulate irregularly, then it can be difficult to predict the best times to get pregnant, or it could even be an infertility concern if ovulation only happens every few months. This is called anovulation. Some women never ovulate at all.
Many women are not aware of ovulation problems until they try to get pregnant. There are a number of treatments that can help you ovulate, so you should begin treatment with an infertility specialist if you suspect that you are not ovulating regularly. Medications can help to mature your eggs and facilitate their release, increasing the number of times per year that you ovulate. This can greatly improve your chances of conception if anovulation is the main cause of your infertility.
There are ovulation prediction kits available over the counter if you are interested in tracking your ovulation. Basal body temperature thermometers are also helpful in tracking ovulation. Talk with your doctor about any concerns that you may have concerning your problems with conception.
This information is brought to you by Dr. Eric Daiter MD.
About the Author: Dr. (Eric Daiter), the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER. Dr. Eric Daiter MD offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT.
The Stages of Endometriosis
Endometriosis symptoms can vary greatly from one person to the next. Symptoms can be severe while the endometriosis itself is mild. Mild symptoms can be present or even undetectable and endometriosis can be very advanced. The endometriosis symptoms you experience could have no correlation at all to the extent or severity of the endometriosis itself.
Endometriosis tissue is much like the lining of your uterus. It reacts hormonally the same as the uterine lining. It grows and sheds along with your menstrual cycle. It is widely believed that in some cases, when the uterine lining is shed, it does not leave the body as it is supposed to. Instead, it travels up the fallopian tubes and into the abdominal cavity. Here, it infests the reproductive organs, surrounding tissues and even the nearby organs.
Endometriosis is a progressive disease and can get worse over time. It can spread to the lower back, bowels, kidneys, lungs and other organs, inhibiting organ function. This is why it is particularly important to treat endometriosis even if you do not have infertility concerns.
Symptoms can be mild or severe. They include heavy, painful or irregular periods. Lower back pain and kidney problems are also not uncommon. Many women are not diagnosed with endometriosis until they experience infertility. Endometriosis is usually discovered during a diagnostic laparoscopic surgery while an infertility specialist is looking for infertility causes. A laparoscopic endometriosis treatment may be necessary to restore fertility. Laparoscopy is the only way to definitively diagnose endometriosis.
Endometriosis severity is measured in stages. Stage 1 is referred to as minimal endometriosis and may or may not have an effect on fertility. Stage 1 endometriosis is usually treated with medications unless you are trying to conceive. If you are having trouble conceiving, then even minimal amounts of endometrial implants and lesions may need to be surgically removed. Another reason to treat stage 1 endometriosis is because it is progressive and can lead to dangerous organ damage down the line.
Stage 2 endometriosis is mild, but more than just the occasional lesion or implant is visible. Stage 2 endometriosis usually means that at least one of the ovaries has endometriosis present. This can lead to your fallopian tubes being blocked by scar tissues or the ovaries themselves being compromised by the present implants.
Stage 3 endometriosis is considered moderate. Stage 3 is used to describe endometriosis, usually on both ovaries as well as the uterus. Implants and lesions may be deeper and take up more area than stage 2 implants and lesions. Surgical treatment of stage 3 and stage 4 endometriosis historically has had the greatest impact on fertility associated with endometriosis.
Stage 4 is the most severe. Stage 4 is used to describe endometriosis that is prominent in the abdominal cavity. Stage 4 endometriosis can affect many surrounding organs and be very dangerous. This is the stage most commonly associated with infertility.
If you are experiencing any endometriosis symptoms and are having trouble conceiving, then you could have an advanced level of endometriosis. You should never ignore endometriosis symptoms or prolong treatment.
This information is brought to you by Dr. Eric Daiter MD.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter, the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER. Dr. Eric Daiter MD offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT.
Endometriosis tissue is much like the lining of your uterus. It reacts hormonally the same as the uterine lining. It grows and sheds along with your menstrual cycle. It is widely believed that in some cases, when the uterine lining is shed, it does not leave the body as it is supposed to. Instead, it travels up the fallopian tubes and into the abdominal cavity. Here, it infests the reproductive organs, surrounding tissues and even the nearby organs.
Endometriosis is a progressive disease and can get worse over time. It can spread to the lower back, bowels, kidneys, lungs and other organs, inhibiting organ function. This is why it is particularly important to treat endometriosis even if you do not have infertility concerns.
Symptoms can be mild or severe. They include heavy, painful or irregular periods. Lower back pain and kidney problems are also not uncommon. Many women are not diagnosed with endometriosis until they experience infertility. Endometriosis is usually discovered during a diagnostic laparoscopic surgery while an infertility specialist is looking for infertility causes. A laparoscopic endometriosis treatment may be necessary to restore fertility. Laparoscopy is the only way to definitively diagnose endometriosis.
Endometriosis severity is measured in stages. Stage 1 is referred to as minimal endometriosis and may or may not have an effect on fertility. Stage 1 endometriosis is usually treated with medications unless you are trying to conceive. If you are having trouble conceiving, then even minimal amounts of endometrial implants and lesions may need to be surgically removed. Another reason to treat stage 1 endometriosis is because it is progressive and can lead to dangerous organ damage down the line.
Stage 2 endometriosis is mild, but more than just the occasional lesion or implant is visible. Stage 2 endometriosis usually means that at least one of the ovaries has endometriosis present. This can lead to your fallopian tubes being blocked by scar tissues or the ovaries themselves being compromised by the present implants.
Stage 3 endometriosis is considered moderate. Stage 3 is used to describe endometriosis, usually on both ovaries as well as the uterus. Implants and lesions may be deeper and take up more area than stage 2 implants and lesions. Surgical treatment of stage 3 and stage 4 endometriosis historically has had the greatest impact on fertility associated with endometriosis.
Stage 4 is the most severe. Stage 4 is used to describe endometriosis that is prominent in the abdominal cavity. Stage 4 endometriosis can affect many surrounding organs and be very dangerous. This is the stage most commonly associated with infertility.
If you are experiencing any endometriosis symptoms and are having trouble conceiving, then you could have an advanced level of endometriosis. You should never ignore endometriosis symptoms or prolong treatment.
This information is brought to you by Dr. Eric Daiter MD.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter, the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER. Dr. Eric Daiter MD offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT.
Your First Visit with a Reproductive Endocrinologist
Getting ready for your first appointment with an infertility specialist can be a stressful experience. Many couples are nervous about this first visit. It may be hard to admit that there is a problem and going to that first appointment can cause a range of emotions to surface. Just remember that whatever you are feeling is completely normal and experienced and caring infertility specialists can help you through this difficult time.
The majority of couples are able to conceive after receiving infertility treatments. The numbers just keep increasing as this field of medicine advances. Try to keep a positive outlook through this likely trying experience. You and your partner should form a unified front when it comes to dealing with what may lie ahead. You need to support each other wholly. Respect each others wishes when it comes to talking or not talking about certain aspects of your treatment.
Both of you should be prepared going in. Many couples have an idea about whether their problems lie with the man or the woman. This is not a blame game, and statistically, it could be either one of you, or both, with the infertility problem. The man will likely be tested first, as male testing is much less invasive.
Consider this your first active step towards having a child together. This can be an exciting time. Choose an experienced Reproductive Endocrinologist that you can really connect with on a personal level. This can be very important through the course of your treatment. You will certainly have a lot of questions and you may not know where to begin.
Write down questions in the days leading up to your appointment. You will likely forget something important if you are nervous or emotional during your appointment. Having your questions written down along with space for the answers will not only give you something concrete to focus on, but also ensure that you do not forget something that you wanted to ask.
Inquire about office hours and how extra questions are handled. Some treatments may require you to come into the office multiple times per week. You will need a Reproductive Endocrinologist that is near your home or work. The office hours need to work with your schedule.
Ask about success rates. This may be something that you want to revisit once you have your possible causes of infertility narrowed down. Discuss what certain treatments cost and what you are willing to spend. Try to figure out how aggressively you want to tackle your infertility. Once you have settled on a course of action and a doctor that you trust, you will feel more confident and empowered to handle whatever may come your way.
This information is provided by Dr. Eric Daiter MD.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter, the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER. Dr. Eric Daiter offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
The majority of couples are able to conceive after receiving infertility treatments. The numbers just keep increasing as this field of medicine advances. Try to keep a positive outlook through this likely trying experience. You and your partner should form a unified front when it comes to dealing with what may lie ahead. You need to support each other wholly. Respect each others wishes when it comes to talking or not talking about certain aspects of your treatment.
Both of you should be prepared going in. Many couples have an idea about whether their problems lie with the man or the woman. This is not a blame game, and statistically, it could be either one of you, or both, with the infertility problem. The man will likely be tested first, as male testing is much less invasive.
Consider this your first active step towards having a child together. This can be an exciting time. Choose an experienced Reproductive Endocrinologist that you can really connect with on a personal level. This can be very important through the course of your treatment. You will certainly have a lot of questions and you may not know where to begin.
Write down questions in the days leading up to your appointment. You will likely forget something important if you are nervous or emotional during your appointment. Having your questions written down along with space for the answers will not only give you something concrete to focus on, but also ensure that you do not forget something that you wanted to ask.
Inquire about office hours and how extra questions are handled. Some treatments may require you to come into the office multiple times per week. You will need a Reproductive Endocrinologist that is near your home or work. The office hours need to work with your schedule.
Ask about success rates. This may be something that you want to revisit once you have your possible causes of infertility narrowed down. Discuss what certain treatments cost and what you are willing to spend. Try to figure out how aggressively you want to tackle your infertility. Once you have settled on a course of action and a doctor that you trust, you will feel more confident and empowered to handle whatever may come your way.
This information is provided by Dr. Eric Daiter MD.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter, the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER. Dr. Eric Daiter offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
Spermatogenesis
A certain series of events needs to occur for sperm cells to mature into viable sperm ready for fertilization. This process is controlled by the man’s endocrine system and is referred to as spermatogenesis.
Spermatogenesis is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain. This is a very small section of the brain that helps maintain and regulate metabolic processes. The hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain and is part of the endocrine system. Luteinizing hormone stimulates the Leydig cells in the testicles to produce testosterone.
The sperm cells mature when testosterone combines with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Follicle stimulating hormone is critical in spermatogenesis because it aids in the production of androgen-binding proteins necessary for maturation.
All of these processes need to work properly for spermatogenesis to occur, so it is no surprise that many men have problems with infertility. Nearly half of all infertility cases are male-factor.
Many things can interfere with spermatogenesis. Alcohol use, high stress, poor diet, medications, lifestyle, disease and illness are only a few of the things that can interfere with sperm cell maturation. The process of spermatogenesis takes about seventy two days. Therefore, sperm cells can be affected for a long time after an illness or other disruptive trigger.
Because of the sensitive nature of spermatogenesis, multiple semen analysis may be necessary to diagnose a problem. It can take some time to get an accurate idea of what the problem is. Most people are familiar with sperm count.
Sperm count refers to the number of millions of sperm per milliliter of ejaculate. A normal range is between forty million and three hundred million sperm. Sperm count is considered low if it is under twenty million. But, keep in mind that in many cases, low sperm count is temporary and reversible.
Obstructions in the male reproductive system can cause a sperm count to be zero. This is referred to as azoospermia. In these cases, infertility treatments can help. There are several ways for sperm to be retrieved from the testes and reproductive tract. Once the sperm is retrieved, then it can be inserted into an egg outside of the body in the lab through a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Another option is in vitro fertilization (IVF), where the sperm and egg are combined in a laboratory and fertilization is allowed to occur. Your Reproductive Endocrinologist will help you decide which method has the greatest chance of success for you.
This information is provided by Dr. Eric Daiter MD.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter, the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER. Dr. Eric Daiter offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
Spermatogenesis is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain. This is a very small section of the brain that helps maintain and regulate metabolic processes. The hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain and is part of the endocrine system. Luteinizing hormone stimulates the Leydig cells in the testicles to produce testosterone.
The sperm cells mature when testosterone combines with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Follicle stimulating hormone is critical in spermatogenesis because it aids in the production of androgen-binding proteins necessary for maturation.
All of these processes need to work properly for spermatogenesis to occur, so it is no surprise that many men have problems with infertility. Nearly half of all infertility cases are male-factor.
Many things can interfere with spermatogenesis. Alcohol use, high stress, poor diet, medications, lifestyle, disease and illness are only a few of the things that can interfere with sperm cell maturation. The process of spermatogenesis takes about seventy two days. Therefore, sperm cells can be affected for a long time after an illness or other disruptive trigger.
Because of the sensitive nature of spermatogenesis, multiple semen analysis may be necessary to diagnose a problem. It can take some time to get an accurate idea of what the problem is. Most people are familiar with sperm count.
Sperm count refers to the number of millions of sperm per milliliter of ejaculate. A normal range is between forty million and three hundred million sperm. Sperm count is considered low if it is under twenty million. But, keep in mind that in many cases, low sperm count is temporary and reversible.
Obstructions in the male reproductive system can cause a sperm count to be zero. This is referred to as azoospermia. In these cases, infertility treatments can help. There are several ways for sperm to be retrieved from the testes and reproductive tract. Once the sperm is retrieved, then it can be inserted into an egg outside of the body in the lab through a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Another option is in vitro fertilization (IVF), where the sperm and egg are combined in a laboratory and fertilization is allowed to occur. Your Reproductive Endocrinologist will help you decide which method has the greatest chance of success for you.
This information is provided by Dr. Eric Daiter MD.
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter, the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER. Dr. Eric Daiter offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Eric Daiter please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
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