What Does A Urologist Do For Low Sperm Count?

by | Sep 19, 2014

What Urologists Do for Low Sperm Count

Are you concerned about the possibility of a low sperm count? If so, then you may want to consult with a urologist to learn more about your reproductive possibilities. For many, the idea of seeing a specialist for a medical concern such as this can cause anxiety because we don’t know what to expect. We tend to fear the unknown. So what does a urologist do for a low sperm count? This should shed a little light on what you can expect from your urologist:

First Visit With A Urologist

During your initial visit with your urologist, you and your partner can expect to answer lots of questions. These will be questions about your physical health and medical history, general lifestyle questions, and questions about sexual practices. In addition to asking questions, your urologist will perform a physical examination to gather information about your vital statistics and current physical condition. This gathering of information will help your urologist to understand your unique circumstances.

Education Info About Male Fertility

Once your urologist has collected information about you, he will provide you with some basic educational information regarding male fertility. For example, your urologist may suggest that you avoid hot baths or saunas as the heat may be affecting your sperm count. You may be advised as to which lubricants can hinder sperm activity and which do not, so that you can choose accordingly. Along with providing you with pertinent information, your urologist will answer any specific questions that you may have.

Determine a Course of Treatment for Low Sperm Count

Based on your particular circumstances, your urologist will help you to determine a course of treatment. Treatment may include counseling regarding sexual practices to insure the best timing of intercourse, lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, hormone therapy, antibiotics if needed for any infections, or surgery to repair any physical abnormalities. There are many courses of treatment for low sperm count, and your urologist will explain the potential benefits and make recommendations.

Assisted Reproductive Technology

Your urologist will also be able to explain assisted reproductive technology (ART) options if pregnancy is not possible with any course of treatment. IUI (intrauterine insemination) is a procedure which places the sperm into the uterus. IVF (in vitro fertilization) requires harvesting eggs and sperm, placing them together in a petri dish, and transferring them back into the woman’s body. ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) involves injecting a single sperm into a single egg cell.

These are the basics that you can expect from your urologist. Of course, each patient is different, and your urologist will tailor appointments and treatments to your particular needs. In any case, scheduling an appointment with your urologist is the first step on the path of diagnosing and treating your low sperm count.