TESE Sperm Retrieval Offers Hope to Men Experiencing Infertility
Infertility is a problem faced by countless couples that are trying to conceive. For these couples, fertility evaluations can be extremely helpful in determining what the most likely source of infertility is so that appropriate treatment can be offered. While many think of infertility as a female problem, it is an equally common problem for men. When male infertility is due to a lack of sperm in the semen or an inability to ejaculate, sperm retrieval can be a useful fertility treatment. Sperm retrieval allows for the collection of healthy sperm, which can then be used for IVF or ICSI treatment. Combined, these fertility treatments can greatly increase the chance of a successful pregnancy for patients. Dr. Sonja Kristiansen offers the TESE sperm retrieval technique to her Houston, TX patients as one method for successfully collecting viable sperm.
Candidates for TESE Sperm Retrieval
There are a number of issues that can affect male fertility, and each requires its own specific treatment. During the sperm retrieval process, sperm is collected from the male reproductive tract, rather than through the semen. Sperm retrieval is a process that is recommended when any of the following issues are present:
- The man has previously had a vasectomy
- The semen that is produced lacks sperm
- An absence of the vas deferens (the duct that carries the sperm to the semen)
- The male is unable to ejaculate
- The patient experiences retrograde ejaculation (the sperm goes back into the bladder instead of into the tip of the penis)
Sperm retrieval can bypass all of these issues to allow for the collection of viable sperm for assisted reproductive treatment. It is common for sperm to be collected from the epididymis during the sperm retrieval process, but when this is not possible, the TESE technique can be used to retrieve sperm directly from the testis.
The Procedure
TESE sperm retrieval is an in-office procedure that is typically performed with the use of local anesthesia (although sedation may be used in some cases). During treatment, a thin needle is inserted directly into the testis. This needle is used to collect a sample of fluid and tissues. This sample is then tested for the presence of sperm. If viable sperm have been collected, then the patient can move forward to the next stage of fertility treatment.
Additional Fertility Treatment
TESE sperm retrieval is extremely beneficial to men facing many fertility problems, but on its own, it will not aid in conception. Instead, sperm retrieval must be performed in conjunction with another assisted fertility treatment, such as IVF (in vitro fertilization) or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection). Dr. Kristiansen can discuss the details of each of these fertility treatments and help patients determine which is most appropriate for their unique situation.
Schedule an Appointment
There are many fertility treatments available to those who are having difficulty conceiving naturally. Dr. Sonja Kristiansen offers solutions for those experiencing male infertility, female infertility, or even unexplained infertility. To learn more about the countless fertility services offered by Dr. Kristiansen and her experienced team, schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.
