How to Make the Most of a Male Fertility Consultation

A consultation with a male fertility specialist is the first step toward receiving a diagnosis and determining whether fertility treatment is needed or whether a medical approach is best to assist with family planning goals. Many men may find the step of actually attending a fertility consult daunting because it means they are “admitting” to a potential issue. One important thing to remember throughout this process is that male fertility issues are very common, even if not yet widely and openly discussed.

In cases of infertility, 1/3 is due to male factor, 1/3 is due to female factor and the remaining 1/3 is due to unexplained factors. This means that fertility issues are split between male and female partners, so it’s highly unlikely that you are the only man you know whose partner is having difficulty conceiving.

Fortunately, a male fertility consultation offers an opportunity to assuage some of your concerns because it allows you to ask questions of an experienced and trained specialist, directly and in person. The specialist will provide diagnostic testing options as well as potential treatment routes, depending on the screening results. Many men report that simply attending the consult with their partner went a long way toward decreasing any stress or anxiety they may have felt prior to the appointment.

Our advice for patients interested in trying to make the most out of a male fertility consultation can be found below:

1. I want to schedule a male fertility consultation; what do I do?

Our partner, Male Fertility Specialists (also led by Dr. Martin Bastuba), is where you will want to request a consult. You can either call (619) 286-3520 or fill out a contact form online, found here. You will hear from one of our patient concierges within 1-2 business days. If you’d like to speak to someone today, we suggest calling the office.

2. My appointment is scheduled; what do I need to do now?

Once the date and time for your fertility consult are set, we suggest making a list of questions that you’d like to ask the specialist. Coming prepared with questions can help ensure that your concerns are covered during the visit.

Another option is to ask whether you can complete any paperwork in the privacy of your own home and send it back to the practice ahead of time – this will cut down on time spent in the waiting room prior to the appointment.

One last step is to verify that your insurance will be accepted, and for this we ask that you please confirm coverage with your insurance provider ahead of the appointment.