by Ronnenberg A

The treatment and management of infertility in men will depend on the underlying cause or causes of the infertility. Treatment will focus on correcting any structural or hormonal abnormalities that may be influencing infertility. This may be accomplished through medications or surgery. Lifestyle changes and other treatments, such as assisted reproductive technologies (ART), may be used to enhance semen quality and increase the likelihood of fertilization.

The ultimate goal of infertility treatment is a pregnancy ending in the birth of a healthy baby. Infertility treatments can be lengthy and expensive. They are not always covered by medical insurance, and they are not always successful.

Treatment involves the following:

Lifestyle changesMedicationsSurgeryAlternative and complementary therapies

References

Boosting your fertility: Lifestyle modifications. Resolve website. Available at: https://resolve.org/infertility-101/optimizing-my-fertility/boosting-your-fertility-lifestyle-modifications. Accessed December 18, 2017.

Infertility. Protect Your Fertility website. Available at: http://www.protectyourfertility.org/malerisks.html. Accessed December 18, 2017.

Infertility in men. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:  http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T902812/Infertility-in-men  . Updated December 4, 2017. Accessed December 18, 2017.

Lindsay TJ, Vitrikas KR. Evaluation and treatment of infertility. Am Fam Physician. 2015;91(5):308-314.

Male infertility/andrology. American Society for Reproductive Medicine website. Available at: http://www.reproductivefacts.org/topics/topics-index/male-infertility. Accessed December 18, 2017

Overview of infertility. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/infertility/overview-of-infertility. Updated March 2017. Accessed December 18, 2017.

Reproductive health and the workplace. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/repro. Updated April 20, 2017. Accessed December 18, 2017.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrienne Carmack, MD
  • Review Date: 11/2018
  • Update Date: 12/20/2014