Visiting the Urologist’s Office

Visiting the gynecologist’s office may be a chore, but it’s a normal occurrence. First the hour wait, then the gown that barely fits, the cold draft from the rear, your annual exam and finally a pap smear followed by a small shot of embarrassment. You leave the office without even a second thought, until you receive the card in the mail for next year. But for men, it’s a different story. If a man visits the urologist, there is most likely a medical problem that he can no longer ignore. It is also probably his first visit. When the exam is over, he’ll probably pray he never has to go again!

On the surface most men intellectualize that having an exam is part of “the infertility solution”, but on the inside they feel that it’s an assault on their manhood, solely meant to “locate the problem”.

Here’s what your man should think about when coping with infertility:

You’re not alone. There are tons of you out there, going through this too.

• Shhhh… the only way people will know is if you or your partner “let the cat out of the bag!”
  
• Your doctor will not judge you. He’s there to help.
  
• It’s your attitude, not your ability to procreate that defines your manhood!
  
• Don’t suppress your emotions. They will help you work through this.
  
• Accept support from your partner – it’s part of the job!
  
• Research the problem. Get on the web, read a book, and ask questions….knowledge is power!
  
• This is a medical problem that can be fixed.
  
• A good sense of humor will only make the process easier!

  
  Male infertility occurs for many reasons. Most commonly, it is the result of poor sperm quantity or quality. It is obvious if your partner’s sperm production is extremely low, the odds of you becoming pregnant are too. Just the same, if his sperm is sluggish and can’t swim well, it is less likely that they will catch your egg and fertilize it. It is also true that if his sperm is misshapen, they will probably not be able to do their job successfully.

  Problems with Sperm Production
  
              What’s wrong?                                                 What is it called?
              Low sperm count                                               Oligospermia
              Malformed sperm in the semen                           Teratospermia
              No semen production                                         Aspermia
              No sperm present in semen                                Azoospermia

  Besides unhealthy sperm, you must also consider whether your partner could have a physical problem that may prevent him from having sperm in his semen. Not to worry, if he has no signs of visible sperm, you can still get pregnant with in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. On the other hand, if there is no sign of sperm both externally and internally, then finding a sperm donor will be your only chance of getting pregnant.
  
  Unlike female infertility, which is often permanent, male infertility may be reversible. Time is of the essence when restoring fertility in your man, so seeing an infertility specialist sooner rather than later is highly recommended.