When women need to see doctors about reproductive health, they visit gynecologists. When men have any questions or concerns about prostate issues or infertility, they should see andrologists. Nowadays, andrology is a growing area of specialization, and all men need to know more about it to manage their male health efficiently.
Who Andrologists Are
Andrology studies male reproductive system. It’s a new area of specialization, but it keeps getting more attention because of the increasing concerns about male reproductive health problems and infertility.
When to Visit an Andrologist
In the past, many men thought that issues related to their sexual health were very embarrassing to discuss with others. Today, these problems are common enough to be discussed with no hesitation. You should see the doctor when you need assistance with a number of health issues, such as:
- Infertility, which is a common problem that affects many modern men;
- Prostate diseases, such as an enlarged prostate, which aren’t good for men’s reproductive and general health (they are often diagnosed based on such symptoms as problems with urination, its frequency, urgency, and straining);
- Erectile dysfunction is another common sexual problem that affects many men;
- Androgen deficiency (androgens are important male hormones, such as testosterone, which provide men with their unique attributes, so when they’re low, the overall health is affected).
What Andrologists Can Do
Andrologists can do the initial evaluation or examination of male reproductive health. This process usually includes performing specific lab tests and testing men’s sperm to assess its overall health. When the results of initial fertility tests indicate any semen abnormality, andrologists recommend effective treatment options to solve this problem.
If there are minor abnormalities, they may advise intrauterine inseminations. During this medical procedure, collected sperm should be inserted into the uterus to increase the likelihood of fertilization. In more severe cases, in-vitro fertilization is advisable because the sperm will be injected into the egg directly.
