May 11th to 17th 2015

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Male Factor

Male Factor

Dr_Greg_Phillipson.jpgFDr Greg Phillipson presented a Webinar on Male Factor Infertility on Tuesday 12th May 2015.  Dr Phillipson practices at Fertility Associates Christchurch, is on the Fertility Associates Board and the Fertility New Zealand Executive Committee.  He delivered a presentation on Male Factor Infertility which was followed by a question and answer session.  The recorded webinar highlights are now available here to watch on video.

 
 

What is Male Factor Infertility?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) standard for healthy sperm is as follows:

  • Volume >1.5 ml
  • Viscosity
  • Sperm count >15 million / ml
  • Motility (progressive) >32%
  • Motility (total) >40%
  • Morphology >4%

Male factor infertility will be present in 30-50% of couples, either as the single major cause of their fertility problem or as part of multi-factorial problem with both male and female factors being present.  The number of myths surrounding male potency and fertility are reducing as we develop an increased understanding of some of the causes.  It is important to note there is no good evidence of a world-wide decline in fertility rates, although there have been some reports from individual countries suggesting a decline in sperm quantity, possibly due to environmental causes.

Low sperm morphology (fewer than 5% of the sperm appear normal when assessed microscopically) can lead to failure of fertilisation with IUI or IVF. It can occur even with normal sperm numbers and motility. It is an important part of detailed semen analysis but is not always done at some pathology laboratories.

Male Factor Webinar

Male Factor Webinar

Dr Greg Phillipson presented a Webinar on Male Factor Infertility on Tuesday 12th May 2015. Dr Phillipson practices at Fertility Associates Christchurch, is on the Fertility Associates Board and the Fertility New Zealand Executive Committee.

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Male Factor

Unless there is absent sperm production or an extremely low count...

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Male infertility is not:

  • Caused by low libido or any social/relationship issues.  However, low libido may be due to low testosterone which may have an impact on sperm production
  • Uncommon
  • Does not make you less of a man
  • Permanent (in most cases)
  • Unrelated to miscarriages
  • Unaffected by ageing

Normal

Not normal – seek help

If trying to conceive for longer than 1 year, a semenanalysis is recommended (via GP or fertility clinic) as preliminary investigation

Abnormal shape and size of testicals / anatomical problem

 

Previous genital surgery

 

Significant STD infections in the past