Couples experiencing difficulty achieving pregnancy, despite trying for six months to a year (depending on their ages), should seek guidance from a fertility specialist. Male infertility contributes to about half of these cases. Still, numerous treatments are available that may enable men to become parents, even if they have been diagnosed with conditions such as a low sperm count. When a couple consults with a Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) specialist, the clinician assesses the health of both partners. A comprehensive health history is obtained, and a semen sample is analyzed. Our Fertility Center employs computer-assisted semen analysis, one of the most advanced methods for evaluating semen quality. This analysis assesses sperm count, morphology (shape and structure), and sperm motility—crucial factors in fertilization. If abnormalities are detected, patients may be referred to a reproductive urologist for further evaluation and treatment. Our Fertility Center is among the few in the country to offer on-site consultations with a reproductive urologist. Poor semen quality is often the primary factor contributing to male infertility. Some patients may have insufficient sperm production or a complete absence of sperm. Others may produce enough sperm, but with abnormalities in morphology or motility. Anatomical abnormalities may also obstruct sperm passage or semen ejaculation. Following a diagnosis, our reproductive specialists collaborate with patients to enhance their chances of achieving parenthood. In cases with a reduced but sufficient number of motile sperm, intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be recommended. Here, ejaculated sperm is washed and directly injected into the uterus by a clinician. IUI is often combined with ovarian stimulation medications to increase the chance of achieving a pregnancy. If sperm quantity is insufficient for an IUI procedure, or if IUI proves unsuccessful, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be employed to improve pregnancy success rates. A patient’s sperm is combined with their partner's egg in the IVF laboratory. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is often utilized, in which a single sperm is injected directly into the egg to facilitate fertilization. Subsequently, one of the resulting embryos is transferred into the partner's uterus. For patients with complex male fertility issues, medications may be prescribed to enhance sperm production, or procedures may be performed to address physical barriers hindering sperm release. This may include repairing varicoceles , which are dilated blood vessels in the scrotum that impact sperm production. In cases of severely diminished or absent sperm, advanced sperm retrieval techniques may be necessary. Our reproductive urologists perform microsurgical procedures to locate and extract sperm from the testes, a procedure available at only select fertility centers. Extracted sperm is then used in conjunction with IVF, ensuri

Fertility preservation has emerged as a crucial aspect of health care. It affords individuals facing medical treatments (such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy) that may compromise their fertility an opportunity to safeguard their ability to have biological children in the future. Fortunately, people who face a cancer diagnosis now have options to preserve their chances of one day having a baby with their own sperm or eggs. There are other circumstances in which people may pursue fertility preservation. These include conditions that may cause infertility, like endometriosis or diminished ovarian reserve , and those affected may also seek fertility preservation . People approaching their mid or late 30s may consider freezing their eggs to extend the window of time when they can conceive. Transgender individuals interested in becoming parents in the future may elect to freeze their sperm or eggs before they transition. Our Fertility Preservation Program encompasses a range of services tailored to meet one’s individual needs. At the heart of this program lies a commitment to empowering individuals with knowledge and understanding. It is designed to help people freeze their eggs, embryos, sperm, testicular tissue, or ovarian tissue for future use. This offers the chance to build a family when the time is right. The process starts with a consultation with a reproductive specialist, who will review a patient’s medical and reproductive history and provide direction, as far as testing and preservation options are concerned. Depending on the underlying motivation and the nature of the situation, options are reviewed. Options may include: Egg Freezing: This approach involves the use of hormones to stimulate the maturation of multiple eggs, which are then retrieved and frozen. This option can take a few weeks to complete. Embryo Freezing: Similar to egg freezing, hormones are used to mature multiple eggs, which are then retrieved and combined with sperm to generate embryos, which are then frozen. This can also take a few weeks to complete. Sperm Freezing: In most situations, sperm can be obtained through natural means, frozen, and stored for later use. In some situations, sperm is obtained by surgical means and then frozen. Testicular Tissue Freezing: Testicular tissue can be surgically obtained and then frozen. Sperm can be extracted from the tissue after thawing and used to fertilize eggs. Ovarian Tissue Freezing: When a medical condition leaves no time to freeze eggs, ovarian tissue can be surgically obtained. After treatment is completed and it is deemed safe to get pregnant, the tissue can be re-placed into one’s body. The reproductive specialist will work with patients and their other providers to afford them the opportunity for the most appropriate preservation option. This process can be stressful, and part of that stress may be financial. Our program is equipped to provide resources and guidance along these lines. Our coordinators rev

Patients seek us out when they encounter obstacles on their journey toward parenthood. Our Fertility Center offers a host of treatment options to individuals and couples who experience infertility or who need third-party assistance to have a baby. Our clinicians work with couples who experience infertility, as well as same-sex couples, individuals without partners, and transgender individuals . They also offer fertility preservation techniques to cancer patients and others who wish to put off pregnancy until the future, so that they may preserve their chances of one day having a baby using their own sperm or eggs. Our clinicians provide empathetic care while learning about each patient’s circumstances. They then tailor each patient’s treatment plan to suit their specific situation. Individualizing their care increases each patient’s chances of achieving their goal of parenthood. We offer several convenient locations, including a facility at Yale West Campus in Orange, Connecticut, that offers free parking. At the Fertility Center, our physicians, staff, and scientists all share our patients’ dreams of expanding their families. Our team of reproductive endocrinologists includes some of the world’s foremost experts on in vitro fertilization (IVF) , fertility preservation, endometriosis , and recurrent pregnancy loss . We’re also one of the few fertility centers in the U.S. to have a reproductive specialist with dual training in both male and female infertility. All registered nurses at the Fertility Center have received specialized training in IVF through the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Our team of financial coordinators works with patients to help them figure out how their health insurance covers costs relating to fertility treatments. They inform patients about this important information before anyone commits to undergoing any procedures, so that patients don’t receive unexpected fees. Coping with infertility may feel isolating at times, but our team of clinicians and staff will be there alongside you, providing you with support as well as treatment strategies. We do everything we can to help you get closer to realizing your goal of becoming a parent. Fertility Center success rate summary: Approximately 79% of new patients under age 35 achieve successful pregnancies after undergoing IVF. For new patients ages 35-37, the live birth rate is approximately 67.6%. For new patients ages 38-40, the live birth rate is approximately 46%. Learn more about our success rates .