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Fertility Clinic Utah
Infertility is a relatively common condition affecting approximately 10% of
couples of reproductive age and the incidence of infertility seems to be
increasing. Part of this
increase is due to heightened infertility awareness and new highly successful
treatment options causing more couples to seek treatment.
The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) defines infertility as the
inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. This
time is
shortened to six months in women over 35 because of the direct correlation
between advancing female age and increased infertility.
Men trying to initiate a pregnancy should not engage in activities, such as
prolonged sitting in a hot tub, which will cause testicular temperature
increases. Clothing that is too tight may also interfere with scrotal function.
Some occupations that require prolonged sitting can cause declines in sperm
count and/or quality. Smoking, excessive drinking, exposure to heavy metals,
marijuana, chemotherapy, radiation and other environmental factors can
negatively affect sperm.
Rarely, a man will develop antibodies to his own sperm usually as a result of
testicular trauma or a vasectomy. When this occurs, his immune system seeks to
destroy sperm as if they were invading bacteria or viruses. More commonly, the
female will develop antisperm antibodies to the male partner’s sperm.
Sometimes a man will develop a large varicocele, which is a mass of varicose
veins in the spermatic cord. It is most common on the left side. Veins carry
heat from the
testicles by circulating blood. When the veins are dilated, as occurs with a
varicocele, it interferes with the cooling/heating functions. Varicoceles can
have a variable impact on sperm quality and a complete evaluation should be
completed prior to attributing the major problem to a varicocele. Small to
moderate varicoceles often do not have a significant impact on sperm quality. On
the other hand large varicoceles may decrease sperm quality but fortunately,
large varicoceles can usually be effectively treated surgically by a urologist
(surgery for varicocelectomy) or radiologist (interventional procedure requiring
spring placement).
www.fertilitydr.com
Alta View Hospital
Sandy Library
10150 Petunia Way (10150 S 1405 E),
Sandy, UT 84092,
Phone- 801-878-8888; FAX 801-878-8890
Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine (UCRM)
The Andrology & IVF Laboratories also provides embryology services for patients
of the Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine (UCRM), which is located adjacent
to the
Andrology and IVF Laboratories . The UCRM is part of the Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology. The Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Specialists provide
assisted reproduction techniques for female infertility patients.
Infertility is a particularly difficult health problem because it affects one of
the most personal aspects of our lives. The clinical definition of infertility
is “The inability of a couple to achieve conception after one year of
unprotected intercourse or the inability to carry direct pregnancy to live
birth.”
In recent years important advancements have been made in the diagnosis and
treatment of infertility. Medical care for infertility is changing rapidly.
Couples who face the challenges of infertility should find a health care
provider who has specialized training, whose major emphasis is in infertility,
and who has an active association with medical societies dealing with
infertility.
It is very important that a couple find a provider who is personable and
competent. Someone to be trusted well enough to express concerns and feelings to
as well as ask questions of and feel confident that the information is accurate.
While the idea of freezing human male gametes, or sperm, has been experimented
with since the late 1700s, it was not until 50 years ago that we were able to
freeze sperm in such a way that it could be thawed and it could fertilize and
egg. In the past several decades the technology of cryopreservation, or
maintaining life in a frozen state, has advanced considerably. With the use of
modern techniques, cryopreservation of sperm to preserve an individual’s ability
to reproduce has become successful, safe, and widely available. The absolute
longevity of cryopreserved semen samples has yet to be determined. However, it
was not until the 1950s that the methods for cryopreserving human sperm were
refined. In 1953 the first human birth from frozen semen occurred. Since then
ongoing research has aided in the development of more sophisticated procedures
and techniques for freezing and storing human sperm. Subsequently in 1998, the
first birth was achieved using sperm frozen for 20 years. Sperm are frozen by
adding a "cryoprotectant" solution to the sample, mixed gently in a small
plastic cryovial and then placed in liquid nitrogen vapors until frozen.
www.utahhealthsciences.net
Andrology & IVF Laboratories
675 Arapeen Drive, Suite 205
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Appointments: 801 581-3740
Fax: 801 581-6127
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Sat, Sun, & holidays: 7:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.
IVF Clinics Salt Lake City |
