Infertility

[rnrobyn]

My husband & I have 2 children, and have been trying to have another baby for over a year now. After having a semen analysis done, it was found that he only had 7% normal sperm. The rest of the semen analysis was unremarkable. The urologist we went to said secondary infertility could be caused from varicoceles, and that the morphology of the sperm could be affected by them. Low & behold, a scrotal ultrasound showed he had a severe one on the left, and a moderate one on the right. In August he underwent Bilateral Spermatic Vein Ligation. The urologist suggested he have another semen analysis done in early December, and told us that it "may help". The research I have done contradicts itself. One part will give evidence that varicocele repair will increase the "normality" of a semen analysis, although in the same literature it states varicoceles have not been linked to infertility. Which is it? Is there a resource out there that shows some definitive data?

[UroDoc]

Varicoceles are common in men and most men with them do not have infertility problems. However fixing/ligating the varicolcele in men with fertility problem, especially morphology, can improve the sperm

[rnrobyn]

What exactly is it that affects the morphology? Is it the temperature? Should he be wearing any certain type of underwear? The urologist didn't say.

[UroDoc]

It is thought temperature plays a role, so boxers, hot tubs, etc should be avoided

[Mike Berkley, L.Ac.]

As is the case in many areas opf medicine, uncertainty is more demonstrable than certainty when discussing causes of pathology and their treatments.

In my opinion, he should undergo the vericocelectomy since many men with 'male factor' caused by vericoceles have been helped. So, it is better to choose based upon the positive outcomes that have been proven than theories of lack of positive outcomes.

Statistically, vericocelectomy has a 50% success rate. One of the factors that determines the outcome of a vericocele is the duration of the vericocele. This is an unobtainable piece of evidence.

It takes six months for the healing process to complete and then, typically, another semen analysis is performed to see if improvement has been achieved. I know that in my own practice that the inclusion of acupuncture and herbs improves outcomes by stimulating and increasing blood flow to the testes.

Best wishes.


Mike Berkley, L.Ac.

[rnrobyn]

Exactly what kind of herbal regimen would you recommend? He has already had the surgery, & is currently taking Maca Root along with his multi-vitamin, B12, folic acid, & Vit E. Thank you

[BURGUNDY23]

I'm with you there, this uncertainty is driving me nuts. Just when I have high hopes this is going to help I read something that says it's not . . so what I gather is, it's a lottery and hope it works