Male Factor

The Department of Urology and the Andrology Laboratory staff offer comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of male infertility problems and work closely with the In Vitro Fertilization Program team.

The UIC Center for Urology and Male Reproduction specializes in the full range of microsurgical procedures and endocrinological treatments that can offered for infertility treatment. Conditions such as blockages in the male reproductive system, mechanical problems inhibiting pregnancy, and difficulties with low sperm production are commonly treated.

The laboratory offers a complete range of diagnostic tests for sperm disorders and maintains a high quality semen cryopreservation and patient sperm bank facility.

Basic Evaluation

An initial male fertility work-up includes a history, physical examination, general hormone tests, and two semen analyses, which determines sperm number, motility, quality of motion and morphology.

Further Investigation and Treatment

After the diagnostic evaluation is completed, a therapeutic route is chosen, which may involve medical or endocrinologic treatment, surgical correction, or a decision to manipulate or process the sperm that already exist to achieve a pregnancy. An example of medical treatment is the use of hormones to improve sperm quality. Examples of surgery include a variocele repair (repair of dilated veins in the scrotum) or vasectomy reversal. Sperm processing attempts to increase sperm quality or overcome problems of sperm delivery with the help of the laboratory.