Infertility affects about one in six couples, and in roughly half of those cases, a male factor plays a role. Yet male infertility is often the last thing couples investigate. Jeff Morrison, MD, a urologist and men's health specialist at CU Medicine Urology - South Denver at Highlands Ranch Specialty Care Center, says getting evaluated early can make a meaningful difference in finding answers.

"If you're struggling trying to conceive and it's been six months, it's a good idea to get tested," said Dr. Morrison.

How Male Infertility is Diagnosed

When a patient comes in with fertility concerns, Dr. Morrison begins with a comprehensive evaluation. That includes a detailed health history, a physical exam to check for anatomic issues such as a varicocele or undescended testicle, and bloodwork to assess hormone levels including testosterone and other male reproductive hormones.

“Often women are thought to be the issue and a man’s fertility is explored later in the infertility journey,” said Dr. Morrison. “Visiting a men’s health specialist is a good idea at the beginning of a fertility journey.”

Lifestyle Factors That Can Affect Male Fertility

Daily habits have a greater impact on sperm heath than many men realize. Dr. Morrison highlights several common factors he screens for in practice:

• Heat exposure: Prolonged hot tub or sauna use can negatively affect sperm production.
• Sleep and stress: Poor sleep and chronic stress both take a toll on male fertility.
• Substance use: Alcohol and marijuana are known to cause male fertility issues.

Making changes in these areas is often one of the first steps in a treatment plan.

Sperm DNA Fragmentation: A Next-Generation Fertility Test

A standard semen analysis measures volume, concentration, motility and morphology. But for couples dealing with unexplained infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss, Dr. Morrison may recommend a more advanced test called sperm DNA fragmentation.

"It tests the integrity of the actual DNA of the sperm to see if that's playing a factor," said Dr. Morrison.

If results come back elevated, several treatment options are available, including antioxidant supplements, frequent ejaculation protocols, lifestyle changes, varicocele repair and, in some cases, surgical sperm extraction, known as TESE (testicular sperm extraction), to retrieve healthier sperm.

“A TESE is a minimally-invasive microsurgical procedure where sperm is extracted straight from the testicles to yield higher quality sperm,” said Dr. Morrison. “It’s a relatively short procedure and patients go home the same day.”

Treatment Options for Male Infertility

No two infertility cases are the same. Dr. Morrison works with couples to understand the full clinical picture before recommending a course of action, with the goal of finding the most effective path using the least amount of intervention necessary.

For couples who have been trying to conceive without success, seeing a men's health specialist early can open the door to answers and options that might otherwise go unexplored.

Call 303-265-3940 to schedule an appointment with Jeff Morrison, MD, at CU Medicine Urology – South Denver at Highlands Ranch Specialty Care Center.