Blogs

What is Azoospermia? Azoospermia is the condition where there is no sperm in the ejaculate and affects around 1% of the population and 10% of infertile men[1]. This is not to be confused with aspermia, where there is no ejaculate. Men with azoospermia usually have normal ejaculate volume, so microscopic analysis of the fluid is required to make the diagnosis. Azoospermia is divided into two categories: obstructive azoospermia (OA), where sperm is blocked from reaching the ejaculate, and the more severe form, non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) where there is an issue with sperm production. Azoospermia is diagnosed after microscopic analysis of two properly collected ...

Question : A Reproductive Endocrinologist (clinic) that refers me business does not follow ASRM recommendations for psychological evaluations in all third-party cases. As a mental health professional providing services to this physician’s patients, what should I do?   Answer : It’s tough to bite the hand that feeds you, but sometimes it is necessary in order to meet professional responsibilities and deliver the best possible standard of care for patients. As professionals, we know our professional ethical standards require us to put our obligations to our client above our own financial gain. But, the ASRM guidelines do not rise to the same level of ...

Peter J. Stahl, M.D. Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA Approximately 5% of men who undergo vasectomy subsequently change their minds and decide to pursue biological paternity. Historically, if men wanted to father a child after vasectomy, the only option available to them was to undergo vasectomy reversal (VR). The development of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) in 1992 enabled reproduction using surgically retrieved sperm. Today, men who desire fertility after vasectomy have a choice. They can elect VR, or they can choose to pursue IVF/ICSI using surgically retrieved sperm. ...

Akanksha Mehta, M.D., M.S. Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA Fertility preservation (FP) in men refers to the process of saving or protecting sperm or testicular tissues, so that they may be used to father biological children in the future. Although a cancer diagnosis is the most common reason to consider FP, the indications for FP are, in fact, much broader: genetic disorders like Klinefelter syndrome, which results in an irreversible decline in testicular function; endocrine (hormone) disorders that require testosterone replacement therapy; abdominal or pelvic surgery with the potential to affect ejaculation; spinal cord ...

R. Matthew Coward, M.D., FACS Assistant Professor of Urology, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, N.C. Director of Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, UNC Fertility, Raleigh, N.C. Despite receiving much less attention than erectile dysfunction and other male fertility problems due to its sensitive nature, ejaculatory dysfunction is among the most common sexual disorders worldwide and can be one of the most frustrating sexual symptoms a couple can experience. What is ejaculation? The purpose of ejaculation is to deposit sperm into the vagina for reproduction, and most men with these problems seeking an evaluation are younger patients desiring fertility. ...

Mary K. Samplaski, M.D. Director, Section of Male Infertility, Andrology  and Microsurgery USC Urology Background: The process of vasectomy reversal (VR) involves restoring continuity to the male reproductive channels. In layman’s terms, this may be thought of as “re-connect the tubing”. Up to 5% of men undergoing vasectomy will eventually pursue reversal. While the majority of VRs are post vasectomy, these same surgical techniques may be applied to men with other vasal obstructions. Obstructions of the epididymis and scrotal portion of the vas deferens that can be corrected with VR include male reproductive tract scarring, such as blockages from birth, ...

​ Welcome ARM members. I am so excited that we have launched our online forum. This will be a place that you pose questions, concerns or relevant articles to reach a vast ARM community. Since this is the first post of the New Year, I thought it would be fitting to ask what your goal is for 2019 for your practice. For me, it is keeping our retention to 15% or less for 2019. 2018 was a disaster year for retention for our practice and I am hoping to not repeat that.

I am new to this group so hello to all.  I have a question for all of the third party coordinators.  Do you allow the recipients to have photos of the donors?  Also, do you post photos on your database?  If you do is it just baby pictures, just adult, or a combination of both?  Thanks!

Each year, ASRM and its affiliated societies are excited to be able to award grant opportunities to new investigators in the field of reproductive medicine. The primary purpose of ASRM Research Grant programs is to provide funds for investigators to establish independent research programs. Without the support of donors, these research grants would not be possible.   Take a moment to learn about 2016 grant recipient, Kara Goldman, M.D., and the work and research she has accomplished thanks to donations to the ASRM Member Impact fund. Kara Goldman, M.D.   When did you acquire your ASRM research grant, and what was the process like? ...