Andrology
What Is Andrology? The Study of the Male Reproductive System
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Andrology is a branch of medicine that deals with the male reproductive system and urological problems. Andrology can cover a vast number of issues such as male infertility, sexual dysfunction, and male contraception.
Infertility Is Not Just a Woman's Disease
“Studies show that about 20% of infertility cases are the result of male factor infertility. About 30% of cases involve both male and female factor infertility.”
Let Us Help Grow Your Family
The staff at our Omaha, NE, clinic understands the emotional toll of being unable to conceive. Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest reproductive technology so we can provide top-quality care and effective fertility treatments.
Our board-certified fertility specialists and entire staff take pride in putting their patients first. That is why we offer late and weekend appointments to better suit your busy schedule.
If you're ready to resolve your male infertility, contact our Omaha, NE, office online to schedule an appointment, or call:
402-717-4200
"Great Success" Why Our Omaha Patients Love Our Clinic
Cassie Anton
2016
So happy with the care I received here. Was new to the process and totally confused. They explained my health issues to me in great detail and were always there when I had questions. After tests and an IUI treatment we ended up pregnant with twins. Give them a try! You'll be happy you did.
View on GoogleMelissa Dunn
2018
Dr. Maclin is wonderful to work with and we found her bedside manner to be excellent. We had great success with Heartland.
View on GoogleMale Infertility?
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Before you have a semen analysis, one of our doctors will go over your medical history with you to see what could be causing your fertility issues. Factors that cause male infertility can be medical, environmental, or health-related.
Environmental Causes
All of us are exposed to multiple toxins every day. These toxins can contribute to sperm malfunction and lack of production. In addition, other environmental factors like heat and clothing can also be harmful to a patient's sperm. Let's take a closer look at some of these factors:
Industrial Chemicals
Prolonged exposure to pesticides, herbicides, painting supplies, and other chemicals can contribute to a low sperm count.
Radiation
While most men will return to normal sperm production after being exposed to radiation through an X-ray, prolonged exposure or a high dose of radiation can permanently reduce sperm production.
Overheating
Prolonged exposure to high temperatures via hot tubs, saunas, working with your laptop on your lap, and wearing tight clothing could contribute to reduced sperm production.
Let Our Andrology Experts
Help Your Family Grow
Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine, PC is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art care according to the highest medical standards with professionalism, compassion, and integrity. Everyone associated with our clinic treats each of our patients with honesty, respect, and kindness.
We understand how challenging dealing with infertility can be. We want to make your journey to starting your family as stress-free as possible. Contact our Omaha, NE, clinic to schedule an appointment.
402-717-4200
"A Great Support System"
kimberly jensen
2021
My experience with Heartland has been fantastic. We are so lucky to have two successful pregnancies. It was always sad to leave the team at Heartland but for the best reasons, we were pregnant! I would and have recommended Heartland to anyone trying to start a family. They are a great support system.
View on GoogleSamuel Sidzyik
2021
The nurses and doctors are wonderful to work with. Our IVF worked first try. We were lucky and had everyone there being hopeful without also having unrealistic expectations kept us hopeful and grounded. If you have to go here, you are already under quite a bit of stress. It's good to feel like the staff is on your side.
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Comprehensive Semen Analysis
The First Step in Identifying Male Infertility
To effectively treat your infertility, our Omaha practice will first need to understand what isn't working. Our andrology lab can provide a quantitative analysis of semen that will assess several key qualities:
Concentration of Sperm
Normal levels are higher than 20 million sperm per milliliter.
Total Sperm Count
Normal levels are greater than 40 million total sperm in the ejaculate.
Percentage of Mobile Sperm
Normal levels are 50 percent or higher.
The Shape of Sperm (Morphology)
At least 15 percent as normal by Kruger's strict morphology standards.
Volume
Normal ejaculation volume should be at least two milliliters.
Total Motile Count
The total number of moving sperm in each ejaculate should be at least 20 million motile.
Standard Semen Fluid Test
This test measures color, viscosity, and the time until semen liquefies against the norms established by the World Health Organization.
Other Specialty Testing
Specialty testing is also available for low mortality, no sperm, and round cell determination.
What Our Andrology Professionals Can Do For Your Family
Once our andrology doctors in Omaha have determined the potential cause or causes of your infertility issues, we can then plan an assistive reproductive technologies (ART) plan that will help you and your partner conceive.
Intrauterine Insemination Procedure
For couples dealing with mild male-factor infertility, intrauterine insemination may be the easiest form of assisted reproductive technology available. Just as in IVF, the woman's ovaries are stimulated with medication to induce multiple egg development. The semen is processed to remove all seminal fluids and cellular debris after specimen collection and, with the use of a very thin, soft catheter, is placed either in the cervix or high in the uterine cavity.
Semen Cryopreservation
Cryopreservation is an effective method of storing sperm and semen for long periods while maintaining the viability of the sperm. The sample is cooled and stored in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of about -196C. For those struggling with male infertility, cryopreservation allows a couple to use the same sample of sperm for multiple attempts at pregnancy, or for use in artificial insemination at a later date.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
The sperm will need to be injected directly into the egg if the sperm has a low fertilizing capacity or their numbers are low for fertilization to occur. To do this, the mature egg is held in place with a specialized pipette. A very small hollow needle immobilizes and picks up a single sperm and inserts it through the shell of the egg, and the needle is then removed very carefully. The following day, the egg is checked for evidence of fertilization.
Third-Party Donation
Third-party donated sperm is available at our Heartland clinic in Omaha, NE. Donor insemination is another service we offer to help meet couples' unique fertility needs.
Sperm Processing For Insemination
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Before semen can be used for intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization procedures, it must be purified to separate the most useful, mobile sperm from any unnecessary seminal fluid, white blood cells, and cellular debris. Sperm processing also removes prostaglandins (lipid compounds that may cause cramping when injected into the uterus) from the semen. There are several methods of sperm processing, including the swim-up method, density gradient separation, and buffered washing.
The Swim-Up Method
This method of sperm processing is the most popular among fertility clinics. However, this process is only effective if the patient has a normal number of healthy sperm and may not be the best fit for those struggling with a low motile count.
This method uses a culture medium on top of the previously centrifuged sperm. This medium is a hospitable environment for the sperm so the healthy ones will make their way up to the suspension. This allows our doctors to select only motile sperm for insemination.
The Process Of Sperm Washing
Sperm washing is a simple method of sperm processing that separates healthy sperm from cellular debris, chemicals, and dead sperm in preparation for treatments like IVF.
Day of Procedure
"This entire procedure only takes between 20-40 minutes."
"I Cannot Imagine a Better Provider" Omaha Loves Our Fertility Clinic
Sara Dale
2020
I was a very fortunate to be a patient of Dr Constance and can not express how wonderful she is. After trying to conceive for two years, we were able to get pregnant after our first round of IVF. Highly recommend going to Heartland.
View on GoogleKarrie Mitchell-Freeman
2020
Dr. Constance is the best. From being knowledgeable to compassionate and everything in between, I cannot imagine a better provider. We are due with our miracle baby in April.
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