Advancements in research as well as candid dialogue have both helped expand the potential for growing families.

Reproductive health is a complex subject, as trouble conceiving may stem from a genetic or  lifestyle-related cause, or even from other health conditions. And while it remains an inherently emotional issue, the field’s rapid innovation means that professionals are finding promising, personalized solutions.

Alongside breakthroughs in technology, science and medicine, social barriers are also breaking down, all of which pave the way for better fertility rates. Mark Trolice, MD, MBA, author of The Fertility Doctor’s Guide to Overcoming Infertility, believes in success supported by realistic expectations and myth-dispelling education.

“Ultimately, it’s important for a patient to interview their physician and have a visit, and see whether they feel comfortable, whether that physician and clinic take ownership in their problem, whether they feel that they have a vested interest until the end to put the patient first in a personalized, compassionate way,” says Dr. Trolice, who’s also founder/director of The IVF Center and a UCF College of Medicine professor. “Fertility is a devastating problem affecting one in six couples, and patients feel broken, isolated and very vulnerable. When you’re trying to conceive, the whole world looks pregnant, and it’s a very frustrating problem.”

An individual may not notice any physical signs of infertility, but Shady Grove Fertility’s Joseph B. Davis, D.O, explains that there are some early indicators. For both women and men, a family history may suggest genetic factors. For women, extremely painful menstrual cycles or sex may be symptoms of endometriosis, which Dr. Davis explains is underdiagnosed and therefore undertreated. It may be difficult for men to tell that they aren’t producing sperm in their ejaculate, but they may experience pain, swelling or erectile dysfunction.

“It’s a struggle, because on one level, you’ve got an overwhelming burden on women of not just having to get pregnant, but to go through the pregnancy, and of course, through delivery. Males’ part in the pregnancy is more supportive, which is essential, but they’re not physically enduring the pregnancy in the same way that women are,” says Dr. Davis.

Women’s primary role in childbearing can foster the misconception that they also are responsible for difficulty conceiving, when reproduction, by its nature, is a partnership. Regardless of who’s receiving treatment, the best outcomes are rooted in their partner’s equal emotional investment.

“I always recommend that patients bring their wives or partners with them, because that visit can be a bit traumatic: You’re being thrown a lot of information and discussing issues that are a bit uncomfortable. I always tell guys that it’s great to have an extra set of ears. Have your partner there so that they can hear exactly what we’re talking about. Also, if they forget something, it’s great to have a friend or a partner to remind them. Bringing a partner helps tremendously and improves the outcomes overall,” affirms Director of Avant Concierge Urology Dr. Sijo Parekattil.

“We always want to incorporate someone’s partner into the entire journey. And of course, depending on what their treatment path is and what’s involved, inadvertently one partner tends to bear a bit more of the burden as far as the treatments go. If they’re able to come to the initial consultation, I always think that’s great, because we want to encourage and support because we’re building families, we’re not just treating individuals,” adds Dr. Davis.

One proposed solution to infertility derived from a progressive understanding of reproductive health is an equivalent focus on male biology. Doctors may specialize in one gender’s reproductive system, and others provide treatments and procedures for any individual.

“Fertility challenges are often framed as a women’s issue, even though male factors contribute to nearly 50% of infertility cases. Male reproductive health is just as crucial, and several biological factors can significantly impact fertility. Fertility is a shared responsibility, and men should be equally involved in evaluation and treatment. Sperm quality takes 70-90 days to regenerate, so proactive changes, including acupuncture, nutrition, stress management and lifestyle improvements can make a significant difference,” says Acupuncture of Orlando’s Acupuncture Physician Dr. Zakia L. Chang, AP, OMD. “We take a holistic approach to male fertility, addressing sperm health, hormonal balance, and overall well-being to optimize reproductive outcomes.”

Viewing fertility as a women’s issue can limit options and successful conception, which is one reason why experts have both tailored and delivered various treatments and procedures to men. As Dr. Parekattil points out, issues could include congenital anomalies from cystic fibrosis, or “…scarring in the epididymis from a bad infection. Testicular sperm production failure could be from some genetic or environmental factors. In these situations, the one diagnostic and therapeutic procedure we do is called a microTESE.”

He further explains: “Under IV sedation, we make a small incision of the scrotum…[performing] a biopsy of the tubules and the testicles. If we find a lot of sperm on one side, then we wouldn’t mess with the other side. If we don’t, we check both sides and do a detailed biopsy of different areas of the testicle to see if we find any pockets of sperm production. We also do varicocelectomy procedures in the office to help men with varicose veins around the spermatic cord leading to the testicle. … It’s a congenital anomaly where those valves are leaky, causing reflux, increasing the temperature of the testicles and leading to lower sperm production and testosterone levels. There are some rare conditions, such as ejaculatory duct obstruction, where the ejaculation duct from the prostate into the urethra is obstructed. We have a procedure called transurethral resection of the ejaculatory ducts to open them up and relieve that blockage, which we treat in the office as well.”

For both men and women, acupuncture can also increase positive outcomes. Its correlation to fertility originated from traditional Chinese medicine thousands of years ago.

“Fertility treatments are tailored to each patient’s unique needs, whether trying to conceive naturally or undergoing IVF/IUI. The treatments are timed to the menstrual cycle to regulate hormones, improve blood flow to the uterus, reduce stress, and enhance egg/sperm quality. It is also integrated with ART as treatments before and after IVF transfers can boost success rates and minimize side effects. Flexibility is a big part of any treatment plan as it evolves based on progress, typically requiring weekly sessions for three-to-six months,” says Dr. Chang. “While acupuncture for women is cycle-dependent and focuses on ovulation, implantation and hormonal balance, men’s treatments aim to improve sperm quality and reproductive function over time. Both approaches reduce stress, enhance circulation, and support overall fertility health for better conception outcomes.”

Dr. Trolice explains that the emotional impact of infertility is comparable to that of major devastating medical diagnoses and diseases. He recommends self-advocacy, and consulting with experts and statistics before establishing expectations.

“You lose nothing from being positive, or at least cautiously optimistic. Negativity can impair the quality of your life and also have a negative impact on fertility, because we know that stress plays a significant role. We want to encourage patients, never giving false optimism, but cautious optimism and hope,” he says. “There’s always ways to build your family, where you use your own eggs and sperm, the option of donors and adoption … but it’s important to educate the patient so that he or she makes the ultimate decision that allows them to feel in control of their treatment.”

RESOURCES

Acupuncture of Orlando
Orlando
(407) 924-9745
AORelief.com

Avant Concierge Urology
Winter Garden
(407) 547-1654
AvantUrol.com

Shady Grove Fertility
Orlando
(689) 500-4016
ShadyGroveFertility.com