IVF Phoenix™ brings 30 years of fertility treatment expertise and a customized, integrative approach to treat the whole patient on the best path to parenthood.
IVF Phoenix™ brings 30 years of fertility treatment expertise and a customized, integrative approach to treat the whole patient on the best path to parenthood.
FAQs
Can semen parameters indeed fluctuate from week to week? Various factors can influence the quality and quantity of sperm in semen, leading to variations over time. Here are some potential reasons:
- Abstinence Period: The length of time between ejaculations can affect semen volume and sperm concentration. Longer periods of abstinence can lead to higher sperm counts but may also increase the proportion of sperm that are morphologically abnormal or less motile.
- Lifestyle Factors: Factors such as stress, diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, and drug use can all impact semen parameters. For example, excessive alcohol or substance use can negatively affect sperm production and function.
- Illness or Infection: Illness, especially if accompanied by high fever, can temporarily reduce sperm count and quality. Some infections can also impact semen parameters.
- Heat Exposure: Exposure to heat (like in hot tubs, saunas, or through keeping a laptop directly on the lap for extended periods) can increase the temperature in the scrotum and impair sperm production, leading to temporary reductions in sperm quality.
- Medication: Certain medications can affect sperm production and function, leading to changes in semen parameters.
- Hormone Levels: Fluctuations in hormone levels can impact sperm production. For instance, testosterone levels can have a direct impact on sperm production, and these levels can fluctuate based on a variety of factors.
- Age: While this doesn’t account for week to week fluctuations, it’s important to note that as a man ages, there can be a gradual decline in semen quality.
Remember that semen analysis at a single point in time can give a snapshot of a man’s fertility, but because sperm parameters can fluctuate, sometimes multiple tests are needed to get a more accurate picture. If you have concerns about semen parameters, it’s a good idea to discuss these with your fertility expert who can offer advice tailored to your situation.
We believe that the spouse/partner is critical to supporting the process you will be going through. Although it is not mandatory that your partner attend, the first appointment is designed to evaluate the history of both patient and partner in order to best determine possible underlying causes of infertility. Approximately 40% of infertility is related to men, we believe it is important that we address both the woman and man efficiently. We also request that your spouse/partner complete new patient forms at the same time so there is no delay in any diagnostic testing.
An egg donor can be someone who is either known to the recipient couple or anonymous. A known egg donor can be anyone who is not closely related to the male partner who will be providing the sperm. An egg donor CAN be related to the female partner. Sisters, nieces, cousins or even daughters from previous partners are acceptable candidates to be a known egg donor.
If a couple does not have a suitable known egg donor or does not feel comfortable with a known egg donor then they can try to find an anonymous egg donor. There are many resources for finding an anonymous egg donor. Many of our patients are choosing to recruit their own egg donors by placing advertisements in local newspapers or by placing signs up at local colleges or beauty salons. Some of our recipients have found potential egg donors on the internet and still others will use an egg donor agency (though this is a very expensive option).
Egg donation is a modification of the process of IVF. There are several steps involved.
- Recruitment of an egg donor
- Screening / testing of the egg donor
- Synchronization of the egg donor and recipient, but most commonly these days, is to freeze all embryos, then return for frozen embryo transfer. In woman 35 year and older, we are recommending biopsy and PGS, and freeze all embryos.
- Stimulation of the egg donor with fertility medication and preparation of the recipient uterus
- Retrieval of the egg donor‘s eggs
- Fertilization and culture of the egg donor‘s eggs
- Transfer of the embryos into the recipient’s uterus
Many researchers believe environmental causes explain an ongoing decline in make infertility. Exposure to toxic substances can be harmful, as can exposure of the genitals to elevated temperatures (such as with hot baths, whirlpools or steam rooms), Also problematic is in-utero exposure to Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic form of estrogen, the female hormone. Finally, men facing the burden of a cancer diagnosis should be aware of the negative effects on fertility of medical treatments such as surgery or radiation.
Behavioral male factors
A higher risk of male infertility is tied to unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, using alcohol or illicit drugs, and being overweight. Other behavioral factors are having certain past or present infections or taking medications for ulcers, psoriasis, depression or high blood pressure.
Get help with male factors
Infertility challenges are frustrating, but we can address all the factors associated with male infertility. Call us today at (602)765-2229 or email us at info@ivfphoenix.com to learn more and get tested. We’ll give you all the information and assistance you need to achieve your goal of starting a family or adding another child.
IVF Phoenix™ is more than just a fertility treatment center.
