A Conversation on Male Factor Infertility with Dr. Natan Bar-Chama and Dr. Rachel Gerber
Oftentimes, conversations around infertility focus on the female. However, male factor infertility can be equally significant. In fact, approximately 1/3 of couples who face infertility is the result of a male factor.
To address this, RMA of New York physicians, Dr. Rachel Gerber, reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist, and Dr. Natan Bar-Chama, reproductive urologist and male fertility specialist, hosted a discussion on the importance of parallel evaluations of the male and female seeking infertility services.
Dr. Gerber and Dr. Bar-Chama’s conversation focused on the stigma and anxiety that can come up for males trying to conceive. Not only are they stressed about having to perform at a certain time, but they may also feel as if they are the only ones experiencing, for example, difficulty with intercourse or issues with erectile dysfunction.
Dr. Gerber attempts to relay the stress by doing a comprehensive fertility evaluation of a couple and creating a detailed plan of action. “Part of what we try to do at RMA is look at the male data, look at the female data, and understand what’s causing the possible fertility challenges. I then often try to shift to a six-month plan - what is the strategy based on the data and that often tends to relieve some of the anxiety and stress.”
Dr. Bar-Chama echoed Dr. Gerber’s parallel testing suggestion by stating, “The current guidelines highlight that we want to have the data on both the male and the female so we can start understanding where the ideology is and what the factors at play are, as well as realizing that about 30% of the time there’s a combination of factors.”
To listen to more of their conversation, view the complete video here and for more information on male fertility testing, click here.