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Male Infertility: What Causes It and How It’s Treated

Posted on by Robert L. Waguespack, M.D.

Male infertility is both common and treatable. If you are in a relationship and ready to start a family, but are having no success, it might be time to find out the cause.

Actually It’s 50/50

When a couple can’t get pregnant, in the past the woman was usually tested first. Today it makes better sense for both partners to be tested at the same time. Either one can be the cause of the problem or both could have issues delaying pregnancy.

Let’s talk about male infertility here.

What Is Male Infertility?

Male infertility is any health issue that lowers a man’s chance of getting a woman pregnant, and is related to making or moving healthy sperm. If there is a problem and a man is unsuccessful in these two main areas, sperm cannot reach the egg.

Causes of Male Infertility

Male infertility can be the result of the following:

  • Decreased sperm production, also known as low sperm count
  • Blockage of ducts that carry sperm
  • Sperm quality like an abnormal shape, also known as poor morphology
  • Poor sperm motility
  • Hormone imbalance
  • Ejaculation disorders due to conditions including thyroid disease, testicular cancer, and depression
  • Side effects from certain medications for arthritis, depression, digestive problems, high blood pressure, and cancer

How a Urologist Can Help

If you are having trouble getting pregnant and take any of the above medications, contact Dr. Robert Waguespack for an appointment in our urology clinic in Bakersfield, CA.

Your urologist will do a thorough physical examination. Dr. Waguespack will also take a sperm sample to analyze the quantity of seminal fluid, the sperm count, sperm motility, and any morphology.

In addition, sometimes blood tests are performed to identify any hormonal issues. Supplements and hormonal therapy may be the recommended treatments.

Lifestyle issues can also be contributing to male infertility. Smoking and obesity can increase the risk as can excessive alcohol consumption and drugs. Your urologist will make recommendations about lifestyle issues and how to lower your risk factors.

Finding the root cause is the first step to solving your infertility.

Multiple Treatment Options

Treatments include anything from medications, counseling, hormone treatments, with or without surgery. There is in vitro-fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), and other assisted reproductive techniques available.

Contact men’s health specialist Dr. Waguespack at (661) 321-3303 if you are experiencing difficulty with fertility.

What Are Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction When Pills Don’t Work? 

Posted on by Robert L. Waguespack, M.D.

Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. With regard to sexual health, erectile dysfunction is the most reported problem by men to their doctor. It is estimated that as many as 100 million men worldwide have ED, however as many as 85% do not report it. Many men believe aging is the only cause, but that’s not exactly true. In most cases, men are prescribed the “little blue pill,” but what are treatment options for erectile dysfunction when pills don’t work?

Pill Problems

Sometimes the pills for ED don’t work. In addition, certain men cannot take this prescription due to side effects and other health issues including: severe heart disease or heart failure, low blood pressure, and those who take nitrate meds for chest pains. There must be some other alternatives.

You can try lifestyle changes like stopping smoking, exercise, pelvic floor exercises, stress management, and diet.

If you are among the men who do not respond to pills for ED, cannot take them due to other health problems, and if lifestyle changes don’t help, there are other options.

What Are Treatment Options For ED Aside From Medication?

Medical science and technology always have an answer. If you have ED, maybe one or more of these alternatives will help.

  • A vacuum erection device, or VED, is sometimes known as a penile pump. Using suction it manually pulls blood into the penis. A tension ring is slipped onto the base of the penis to maintain the erection. Side effects include some restriction of the ejaculation, a cold penis to the touch, and mild bruising.
  • Drug pellets inserted into the tip of the penis are like suppositories. They take about 10 minutes to work, and can last 30 to 60 minutes. Side effects include a burning sensation and minor bleeding from the penis.
  • Penile injections are another option. These meds improve blood flow even better than pills. Side effects can include some bleeding and minor pain at the site of the injection, longer erections than you desire, and scar tissue within the penis.
  • Penile implants involve a 30 to 45 minute procedure to place a device inside the penis which you control. You then have the ability to create erections and decide how long they last. This option has high satisfaction results.

Erectile Dysfunction Specialist in Bakersfield, CA

Contact Dr. Robert Waguespack at (661) 321-3303 if you would like to discuss any of these treatment options for erectile dysfunction and find out if they could be right for you.

What Could Be Causing Recurring Kidney Stones?

Posted on by Robert L. Waguespack, M.D.

There are few things in life as painful as passing a kidney stone. If you have had one, you know. The problem is that once you have a kidney stone, you are likely to get another one. In fact, you have a 35 to 50% chance of having another within 5 years. Nature can be cruel. Why is this the case, and what could be causing recurring kidney stones?

Continue reading “What Could Be Causing Recurring Kidney Stones?”

When Do Men Need Low Testosterone Treatment?

Posted on by Robert L. Waguespack, M.D.

You have probably seen any number of ads on the television and online about low T. They seem to indicate that this is a growing national problem and all men should begin taking medication to correct their testosterone deficiency and become more “manly men.” It might be time to slow down this growing snowball down the mountain, and look carefully to evaluate when do men need testosterone treatment?

Continue reading “When Do Men Need Low Testosterone Treatment?”

How Your Lifestyle Could Be Impacting Your Fertility

Posted on by Robert L. Waguespack, M.D.

The frustrating and sad effects of a couple who has been attempting to start a family is hard to describe. One moment they want to give up, and the next minute they cheer each other on to try again. Discovering the root cause of infertility is exhausting. Maybe it’s time to look at how your lifestyle could be impacting your fertility.

Continue reading “How Your Lifestyle Could Be Impacting Your Fertility”

Kidney Stones: Common Causes And Treatments

Posted on by Robert L. Waguespack, M.D.

Anyone who has ever passed a kidney stone will tell you it was probably the worst pain they ever felt. The last thing they want is to ever have another one. The bad news is that once you have a kidney stone, you are likely to have another. Discover why that is, as well as other causes and treatments.

Continue reading “Kidney Stones: Common Causes And Treatments”

Is Erectile Dysfunction Permanent? What You Should Know.

Posted on by Robert L. Waguespack, M.D.

Is erectile dysfunction permanent? We are here to tell you E.D. can be treated in almost all cases. More importantly, the biggest barrier to restoring full sexual function is a man’s reluctance to seek treatment. If you are living with some erectile dysfunction issues, now is the time to get some answers.

Continue reading “Is Erectile Dysfunction Permanent? What You Should Know.”

Vasectomy: How It Works & What To Expect

Posted on by Robert L. Waguespack, M.D.

If you and your partner are considering a vasectomy, you should be aware of certain facts. It is an outpatient surgery with a low risk of complications or side effects, and it is nearly 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. One other important fact is that it is cheaper than female sterilization or the long-term costs of birth control methods for women. With those facts out of the way, let’s dig deeper about vasectomy: how it works and what to expect.

Continue reading “Vasectomy: How It Works & What To Expect”

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