Each month we host a free, live online seminar where patients can ask the physicians of Fertility Solutions questions about infertility. The seminar for January 2013 was about ‘ male fertility and much more with guest host Dr. Chudnofsky ’. View the live Q & A chat about male fertility below:
Learn about male fertility and much more with guest host Dr. Chudnofsky(01/10/2013)
11:56
Hello Welcome to our chat.
Thursday January 10, 2013 11:56
11:57
Our guest today is Dr. Chudnovsky who specializes in andrology and male infertility and sexual dysfunction
Thursday January 10, 2013 11:57
11:59
[Comment From RachelRachel: ]
Hi, is this going to be a Webinar or a Q&A format?
Thursday January 10, 2013 11:59 Rachel
12:00
Q&A format
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:00
12:00
Upto 40% of all infertility cases may be due to Male factor infertility
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:00
12:03
[Comment From KristaKrista: ]
I believe my partner has retrograde ejaculation. How is it diagnosed and how is it treated when trying to conceive?
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:03 Krista
12:04
RE (retrograde ejaculation) is a form of ejaculatory disorder. There are multiple factors that may cause it.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:04
12:05
Some medications can cause it (such as alpha-blockers which men take for symptoms related to urination).
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:05
12:06
Some men with long standing diabetes may develop RE. Also, certain neurologic disorders may cause it.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:06
12:06
The treatment depends on the cause.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:06
12:06
Diagnosed by history and ‘post-void semen analysis’
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:06
12:09
For infertiliity related to RE: some times we are able to eliminate the cause and sometimes we can provide medications to close the bladder neck to prevent RE. Yet in other situations your infertility specialist will be able to ‘wash out’ sperm from the urine obtained following the ejaculation
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:09
12:09
[Comment From KristaKrista: ]
Is it still possible to conceive. I will need ivf do to blocked tubes.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:09 Krista
12:09
Yes, it is.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:09
12:10
[Comment From RachelRachel: ]
Without getting sperm analysis done, are there clinical symptoms to male infertility?
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:10 Rachel
12:10
Inability to get your partner pregnant is the most important sign, symptom and definition of infertility. This should prompt the couple to be evaluated (both partners)
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:10
12:11
[Comment From RachelRachel: ]
How long does it take after stopping SSRI’s for the sperm to be completely clear of the drug?
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:11 Rachel
12:11
The complete Sperm production cycle (spermatogenesis) takes at least 72 days, and to include transit and maturation time upto 3 months.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:11
12:14
[Comment From RachelRachel: ]
Is there a ‘male fertility diet’ like there is with women? other than the obvious of stopping alcohol, drugs and smoking?
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:14 Rachel
12:15
As of today, there is no specific ‘fertility’ diet. However, there’s plenty of data that shows that men with higher BMI have more problems with infertility, including sperm concentration etc. The same studies show that when these couples undergo IVF, the men fertilization rates using sperm from men with higher BMI’s is also lower.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:15
12:15
So, Yes, healthy life style is a key to both genders!
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:15
12:19
some general symptoms related to male factor infertility may be related to overall sexuall health: decreased libido (sex drive), erectile dysfunction, lack of ejaculation or smaller volume of ejaculate.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:19
12:19
[Comment From RachelRachel: ]
Is ‘clumpy’ sperm indicative of something being wrong?
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:19 Rachel
12:19
usually this is a very non-specific symptom
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:19
12:23
Speaking of diet, life style and other things….
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:23
12:24
There are things that men should definitely avoid that we know could cause male infertility: tobacco smoking, marijuana use, frequent use of hot baths.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:24
12:25
A separate warning regarding the usage of performanc enhancing drugs and testosterone containing products: significant risk of male infertility and hypogonadism, sometimes irreversible!
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:25
12:33
Both, male and female partner should be evaluated when a couple has infertility problem.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:33
12:35
While evaluating male partners, we sometimes discover health issues that may affect overall quality of life or be indicative of potentially more serious health problems.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:35
12:38
We don’t recommend using diagnostic ‘home kits’ for male infertility. Men should be evaluated by a Urology specialist with an area of expertise called Andrology.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:38
12:38
[Comment From RobertRobert: ]
If my sperm count is health, can I experience male factor infertility?
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:38 Robert
12:38
Excellent question! The simple answer is yes.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:38
12:40
The reason is that male fertility is a very complex issue. It has to do with a lot more than just the sperm count or concentration. Motility is another parameter that may be affected under certain conditions, and may in turn cause infertility.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:40
12:42
Also, chemical and physical properties of Semen (ejaculated fluid) may play a role in infertility. there needs to be just the ‘right combination’ of factors between both partners to get pregnant even if both have completely ‘normal’ diagnostic work ups.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:42
12:42
Intact sexual function is very important.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:42
12:43
[Comment From RobertRobert: ]
What are some other important factors to male infertility then?
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:43 Robert
12:44
certain congenital conditions such as hypospadias may prevent ejaculate from being deposited in an anatomically appropriate fashion.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:44
12:46
[Comment From GuestGuest: ]
Usually the men don’t recognize their possible infertility ,even there are so many signs that they have several problems ,like..”smoker since 30 years ago” but when the doctor ask him “Are you smoker?” his answer is ” NOOO,I AM NOT”.And he has RE-almost every time , but don’t recognize that this is a very important disorder and push the wife to go infertility analysys so many expenses for nothing ,and he remain to stay in home waiting for women to treat the”suposed problem infertility”
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:46 Guest
12:48
this is a very good point. Majority of couples do end up seeing a female infertility specialist first. That’s why it is very important to recognize that infertility is almost ALWAYS a COUPLE’s issue. I always encourage BOTH partners to go for a visit, regardless if they are seeing me or a female infertility specialist.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:48
12:52
If there is further interest or specific questions regarding Male Infertility or Sexual Dysfunction, please call my office and make an appointment to see Dr. Aleksander Chudnovsky : (617) 787-8181.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:52
12:52
Thank you for joining our live chat! We will see you at the next session.
Thursday January 10, 2013 12:52
12:53