Infertility is not just a “woman’s problem”! FAQs about male factor fertility challenges

Male Fertility Treatment in Houston TX Area

For every seven couples who try to conceive, one will face difficulties with getting pregnant. And in at least 30% of these cases, male factor infertility is the leading contributor. Both male and female infertility factors are implicated in around 50% of all fertility challenges. Our specialists at Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine support couples from across the Houston, Texas, area as they overcome and journey through any obstacles to their goals for family planning. Our team is pleased to introduce you to treatment options and more about male factor infertility courtesy of answering the following FAQs.

Why is it so difficult to get pregnant?

The quality and quantity of sperm tend to decline between the ages of 40 and 50, leading to male fertility challenges. These changes make it harder to get pregnant and also contribute to an increased risk of complications, such as miscarriage. As we get older, our overall health can decline as well. The presence of comorbidities such as liver or kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity can also increase your risk of being infertile.

When should I get tested?

The American Urological Association generally recommends that couples be tested for fertility-oriented issues if they have been trying and failing to get pregnant for a year. In the vast majority of cases (80%), the source of male fertility issues can be pinpointed via services such as medical history review and physical and semen analysis that checks for anomalies in the number, shape, and movement of sperm.

What treatment options are available?

Of course, as with all treatments, the best option for you and your partner depends on the underlying barriers to your fertility. Depending on your diagnosis, hormones may need to be introduced to the body to address imbalances in these chemicals that are so vital to many functions – including your libido and sex drive. Surgery may also be in your future to repair the leading reversible cause of male factor infertility: varicoceles.

Call our office

New patients please call:
855-346-8610

Existing patients please call:
281-347-2600

Virtual Consultation

What is a varicocele?

This condition is characterized by the swelling of the veins responsible for draining the testicles. Impaired blood flow has been implicated in the development of varicoceles, which then reduce the quantity and quality of sperm. Fortunately, varicocele surgery has a high rate of successfully resolving sperm-related problems.

Are there any other nonsurgical interventions that might help?

Certainly! But, here again, the specific therapies that are recommended depend on the underlying cause of your fertility issues. Since your overall health status can put you at increased risk of infertility, many of the steps that fuel a healthy body also support healthy conception and pregnancy. These steps include maintaining a stable weight and refraining from smoking, vaping, tobacco products, excessive alcohol use, and drugs like anabolic steroids.

Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine is proud to help couples across the Houston, TX, area overcome any obstacles that stand between them and their desires for a family. If you and your partner are struggling to get pregnant, let’s talk. Call 855-346-8610 to request an appointment at one of our two offices in Katy – on Kingsland Boulevard and Merchants Way.

Share this Article

Back to Family Planning Page

Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine
Connect with Dr. Jenkins on Linkedin

We offer general care, gynecology, and obstetrics services that span all stages of a woman's life. Dr. Taryll L. Jenkins, MD, received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and his Doctorate of Medicine from Meharry Medical College School of Medicine, TN. He completed his residency training at the University of Texas and Hermann Hospital, TX and is Board-certified from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, with years of research experience.

Having graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Chemistry in 2011, Dr. Stephanie Roy received her Doctor of Medicine Degree in 2015 from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Today, she is a leading Board-certified physician who works hard to provide you and your family with high-quality services. In addition to spending time at the practice, Dr. Roy possesses extensive volunteer experience in the community. She was also a tutor at the Medical Careers Diversity Program in 2012 and, since then, has spent her free time volunteering for the St. Vincent’s Clinic.

Dr. Tiffany Ikwuagwu is passionate about caring for the diverse communities in Katy, TX. Having completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Houston, her medical degree at the Baylor College of Medicine, and her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the McGovern Medical School, she worked as principal investigator on a research project with Dr. Nana Ankumah at UT Houston. A member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Dr. Ikwuagwu has served in several leadership roles and has made many contributions to the community.

Yara Ramirez, MD, earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University and her doctorate in medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, where she also completed her residency. She won the Resident Teaching Award from UTMB’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for two consecutive years.
Dr. Ramirez has researched extensively on many obstetrics-related topics. She has been a Junior Fellow Representative for the UTMB Residency Program and a Medical Student Education Committee Member at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has volunteered for various local and foreign community programs. Her fluency in Spanish and French is an asset to her organization.

Nadia Alexander is a Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center. With seven years of experience in women’s health and a focus on obstetrics and ambulatory gynecology (vaginitis, UTI, and vaginal bleeding), she provides quality, compassionate care to patients in various stages of reproductive life. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is the lead contact for our Telehealth service.