Following a spinal cord injury, it is common for men to experience changes in their sexual function and fertility. These changes may include:
These changes may result in complete infertility or impaired fertility. However, the symptoms and degree of infertility can vary depending on the type and severity of the spinal cord injury.
The physicians and staff at the Center for Men’s Health at TUCC work closely with Craig Hospital and Dr. William Schoolcraft at the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine to develop fertility treatment programs for men with spinal cord injuries and their partners. We have a proven track record of successful microsurgical procedures for these men, with 20-30 microsurgical sperm retrievals performed an annual basis.
Meet Our DoctorsTo diagnose infertility following a spinal cord injury, we will discuss any symptoms the patient is experiencing as well as the actual injury. Tests on semen levels and reproductive function will be run in order to determine the most effective treatment option available.
The Center for Men’s Health at TUCC offers a number of treatment options to help counter impaired fertility following a spinal cord injury. There are three main issues treated in men with spinal cord injuries: erectile dysfunction, sperm retrieval and sperm abnormalities.
Though an erection is not necessary for fertility, treating erectile dysfunction allows couples to try for natural conception, which can occur in up to 10 percent of cases in which the male partner has a spinal cord injury. Treatments for erectile dysfunction include prescription medication such as Viagra, Levitra and Cialis, self-injected medication, urethral suppositories or vacuum erection devices. In more severe cases, surgical treatments may also be an option. Surgical procedures used to treat erectile dysfunction include penile implants, which involve the insertion of malleable or inflatable rods into the penis, and vascular reconstructive surgery, a procedure that improves blood flow to the penis.
Many men with spinal cord injuries are unable to ejaculate and therefore require medical assistance to procure sperm for fertility purposes. Some methods assist ejaculation to obtain semen, while others bypass ejaculation and retrieve sperm surgically. For more difficult cases, surgical sperm retrieval (MESA and TESE) is the best option. Penile Vibratory Stimulation (PVS) is usually the first option for sperm retrieval. It is considered safe, reliable and cost-effective.
Relating the Pelvic Floor to Pain and Other Problems Seminar Overview: The pelvic floor muscles and the relationships these muscles have to other parts of our body are important, and often overlooked contributors to low back pain, hip, perineum, and pelvic pain. Potential pelvic floor problems may manifest as follows: Persistent pain in the abdomen, hips,
Read More
You are cordially invited to the Virtual ADT Nutrition and Exercise Class. The class will be held via HIPAA compliant Google Meet G Suite. The ADT (Androgen/Hormone) Deprivation Therapy) class provides nutrition and exercise information for men undergoing hormone deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. It is restricted to men diagnosed with prostate cancer and their
Read MoreCOFFEE & CONVERSATIONS Join Dr. Dagenais, Dr. Karsh and Dr. Patel from The Urology Center of Colorado (TUCC) to learn about the latest in bladder cancer treatment and the research. Date: November 4th from 5:30 PM- 6:30 PM MT. The event is interactive, there will be a panel Q&A session to answer YOUR questions about
Read More
The Year in Medicine/Research from A-to-Z: What was new or old and hot or cold?! Join us on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 pm MT Some of the areas Dr. Moyad will discuss are: –Acupuncture -Adult vaccinations & the latest research -Alcohol news -Aspirin -Breast cancer research lessons -Calcium/Vitamin D recommendations -Cannabis/CBD -Cholesterol -COVID
Read More
–TUCC CONTINUES COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY WITH EXCELLENCE IN UROLOGY – To further its commitment to all the communities around Denver, The Urology Center of Colorado (TUCC) is opening a new location in Lone Tree, Colorado. In order to better serve more patients in south Denver, TUCC is opening a new office located at 9695 S.
Read More