Andrology is a specialised area of medicine that focuses on reproductive health in men. We know that infertility is hard, and the emotional and social impact can affect men and women differently. Dr Kate Burston is a Newcastle fertility specialist who understands the impact of poor male reproductive health, and has developed advanced expertise in this area.
Male factors contribute to up to half of all couples facing infertility.
There are a myriad of reasons that can cause infertility in men. These include imbalances in your hormones, infections or injury to your reproductive organs, genetic disorders, congenital abnormalities, environmental or lifestyle factors, and even mental or emotional causes resulting in suboptimal sexual function.
Find out more about causes of male infertility here
If you and your partner are taking longer to conceive than you’d like, we recommend a consultation with Dr Kate. Though she has particular expertise in andrology, her training and scope of practice also extends to assessing and managing fertility problems in women, giving you and your partner the best possible chance at a successful pregnancy.
As part of evaluating male reproductive health, Dr Kate will:
If you have a health condition that may be impacting your fertility, such as diabetes, a hormonal disorder, or erectile dysfunction from psychological causes, we will work with your other treating doctors to optimise your reproductive health.
After all investigations into the underlying cause of infertility, Dr Kate can advise you on the best management approach. In addition to addressing any lifestyle factors that may be impacting your natural fertility, this can include:
Abnormal levels of reproductive hormones such as testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, prolactin, and thyroid hormone may have a negative effect on sperm production. Investigating and treating the underlying cause of these hormone imbalances may improve your fertility.
Certain causes of male factor infertility may be due to an anatomical obstruction where the sperm cannot leave the testis and enter the ejaculatory duct. This may be due to a congenital (present at birth) or acquired (developed after birth) condition. Depending on the underlying cause, sperm may be able to be directly retrieved from the testis which can be used in combination with intracytoplasmic sperm injection, in order to create your family.
Some cases of male infertility cannot be reversed with medications or surgery. In these situations, you may consider a fertility treatment such as in vitro fertilisation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or use of donor sperm to help grow your family.
Find out more about fertility treatments
Consulting from the state-of-the-art Genea Newcastle fertility clinic, Dr Kate brings a wealth of clinical experience for men in the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions looking for expert advice on male reproductive health and fertility.
