 |
A specific treatment will be provided to all cases with evidence of infertility.
As mentioned earlier, no alterations were detected in as many as 40% of male infertility cases during the physical examination, the hormonal analysis gave normal results and no clear cause for infertility was found. These patients may require empirical medical treatment but, as it is usually long and expensive, other more direct options should always be considered, including insemination with donor’s semen or adoption. When dealing with infertility, pregnancy, which is the ultimate goal of the treatment, depends on two patients, not just one.
There are two therapeutic options available for cases of idiopathic male infertility: a number of pharmacological treatments and assisted reproduction techniques.
The drugs used in empirical medical treatments for male infertility are the following:
Anti-estrogens, such as Clomiphene and Tamoxifen: these drugs operate as antagonists of estrogens (female sexual hormones) that run through the male’s organism. Results are highly variable and, in most cases, the pregnancy rate is below 30%.
Androgens: a high concentration of testosterone (male sexual hormone) is required to enable sperm production in the testicles. The use of low doses of oral androgens, such as Mesterolone, for at least three months, appears to improve sperm production, even though results obtained with this treatment are also highly variable.
Gonadotropins: stimulate testicular synthesis of testosterone, which is supposed to enhance sperm production. Results are also highly variable, with pregnancy rates ranging between 6% and 47%.
Kallikrein: is one of the new empirical agents that appear to provide encouraging results. Administered orally, it improves sperm motility, and obtains pregnancy rates of 17% to 38%.
Other: Pentoxifylline, antioxidants such as Vitamin E, Indomethacin, etc.
|
 |
 |
|
|
