Our male infertility specialists provide expert, personalized care to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. To request an appointment, please call 617-732-4222.
Infertility is the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected sex. It can affect both men and women.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, infertility affects 12% to 15% of couples trying to have a baby. In about one-third of these cases, the issue is related to the male partner.
Learning that you or your partner may be facing male infertility can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re hoping to grow your family. Brigham and Women’s Hospital provides effective treatments that can help men and their partners conceive biological children.
Male infertility is a condition in which a man—or someone assigned male at birth—has difficulty getting their partner pregnant after one year of regular, unprotected sex. It can be caused by many factors, including genetic conditions, anatomical differences, hormonal imbalances, or infections and injuries that affect the reproductive organs.
At the Brigham and Women’s Center for Infertility and Reproductive Surgery, our male infertility and urology specialists understand how personal and emotional the male infertility journey can be. We use advanced diagnostic tools and offer a full range of treatment options to address male reproductive and sexual health concerns.
Your care team includes a urologist and a reproductive endocrinologist. If you are receiving in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, your team will also include an embryologist.
As part of a world-class academic medical center, you’ll have access to a broad, highly specialized network of providers. Your urologist works closely with experts across the Brigham to make sure every aspect of your health is considered. If another medical issue may be contributing to infertility, we’ll connect you with the right expert for timely evaluation and care.
If you’ve been trying to conceive without success or are concerned about your fertility, our male infertility specialists will work with you to understand your options and guide you toward a treatment plan that fits your goals. Call us to request an appointment at 617-732-4222.
Fertility is a shared journey—and many couples benefit from care that supports both partners. At Brigham and Women’s Hospital, our male infertility specialists work closely with experts in women’s health to offer comprehensive, team-based care.
When appropriate, we collaborate to:
By combining our expertise across male and female reproductive health, we’re able to offer patients a more streamlined and supportive path to parenthood.
Factors that can contribute to an increased risk of male infertility include:
Male infertility can result from a wide range of medical, genetic, and environmental factors. Some conditions affect sperm production, while others interfere with sperm delivery or function.
The most common sign of male infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected sex. Other possible signs may include:
In many cases, male infertility does not have obvious symptoms. Fertility testing may be the only way to identify the issue.
To learn more about men’s sexual health and when to seek care, read this article on sexual health for men.
You should consider speaking with a fertility specialist if you and your partner have been trying to get pregnant for one year without success—or after six months if the female partner is over age 35. You should also seek care sooner if you have a known risk factor for infertility, such as a history of undescended testicles, testicular cancer, genital injury, or prior vasectomy.
To diagnose male infertility, your primary care doctor or urologist will review your medical history to determine if you have any risk factors that may contribute to fertility issues. They may also order one or more of the following tests to determine if you have male infertility:
At Brigham and Women’s, our male infertility specialists offer expert, compassionate male infertility treatment. Whether the focus is on treating the underlying cause of male infertility or helping you and your partner conceive, we provide a full range of advanced treatment options.
We begin with a comprehensive evaluation, led by a board-certified specialist in male infertility. From there, we work closely with you to create a personalized treatment plan. If surgery is recommended, most procedures are minimally invasive and performed on an outpatient basis, with mild recovery time.
Our team-based approach fosters collaboration between all members of your care team. For example, urologists will work together with embryologists to perform microsurgical sperm extraction in real time, optimizing sperm retrieval rates during the procedure.
In some cases, male fertility can be improved with medication or hormone therapy:
Surgical procedures can address physical blockages, anatomical issues, or help retrieve sperm directly for use in fertility treatments.
If you are planning medical treatment that may affect your fertility—such as cancer therapy, gender-affirming care, or certain surgeries—our specialists can help you explore fertility preservation options. Sperm banking and TESE may allow you to conceive in the future using assisted reproductive technologies. We’ll work with you to develop a plan that supports both your immediate medical needs and long-term reproductive goals.
Yes. Some people are born with genetic or developmental conditions that affect sperm production, hormone levels, or the structure of the reproductive system. These issues may not cause noticeable symptoms and are often only discovered during fertility testing.
For many couples, conception can take time—even when both partners are healthy. If you’ve been trying for a year without success (or six months if the female partner is over age 35), it’s a good idea to talk to a fertility specialist. Male infertility plays a role in about one-third of cases where couples have trouble conceiving.
In many cases, male infertility can be treated and even reversed, depending on the cause. Some conditions, such as hormonal imbalances, varicoceles, or blockages, can often be corrected with medication or minor surgery. In other cases, assisted reproductive technologies like in IVF or ICSI may help couples conceive.
Even when a complete “cure” isn’t possible, treatment can often significantly improve fertility. A fertility specialist can help identify the best approach for your situation.
Our male infertility specialists provide expert, personalized care to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. To request an appointment, please call 617-732-4222.
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