When opting for infertility clinics, it’s important to find out the types of professionals that are available at the clinic. An andrologist is a specialist that deals with male infertility issues. If you are diagnosed with infertility, you should be looking for a fertility clinic that has an adrologist.
Andrology
Andrology is a science that handles male reproductive system health. An andrologist also specializes in urological problems. An adrologist is a specialist that has been trained and certified in general medicine and has also specialized in andrology. This specialty involves an additional two to three years of study. An andrologist may work in fertility clinics or hospitals.
The science is considered as a distinct medical specialty since the late 1960s. An andrologist for men is just like a gynecologist for women. The andrologist may deal with fertility issues, but he may also perform surgeries such as vasectomy or vasectomy reversal. Prostate and testicular cancers are also the specialty of an andrologist.
Andrology and Male Fertility Issues
You need a clinic that has an andrologist if you are dealing with fertility issues such as:
- Erectile dysfunction, which is a common problem that affects fertility
- Low sperm count
- Sperm motility problems
- Hydrocele, of the buildup of fluids in the testes, affecting normal sexual performance and even leading to erectile dysfunction
- Varicocele, which is the swelling of the scrotum vein, which can affect the production of sperm of interfere with ejaculation
- Spermatocele, which is a condition that involves a cyst located in the scrotum area, resulting in milky discharges resembling the ejaculatory fluid
- Balanitis or the swelling of the penis
- Orchitis, which is the swelling of the testes
- Penile fracture, due to trauma to the erect penis
- Peyronie's Disease
- Any physical problem affecting the reproductive area such as epispadias, which is a deformity of the penis that may interfere with fertility or other defects such as a short frenulum, testicular torsion, hypospadias or phimosis
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
The andrologist can perform several tests and a physical examination to determine the problem that may affect fertility.
Treatments for Male Infertility
The treatment prescribed for male fertility problems may vary, depending on the condition that is being treated:
- Antibiotics for infections (i.e. varicocele and hydrocele) and sexually transmitted diseases
- A change in lifestyle (diet, exercise frequency, no steam baths and no biking) to improve the quality of the sperm and its motility
- Counseling for erectile dysfunction, which cannot be treated otherwise
- Erectile pills such as Viagra
- Surgery for any deformities involving the reproductive system organs
- Herbal or other natural supplements
The andrologist may try several treatments and in many cases, full recovery is possible, so that you can produce healthy sperm cells and be able to conceive naturally. However, if the treatment won’t give positive results, there are always alternatives of artificial reproductive methods. The andrologist may inform you on these.
