Male Infertility, Azoospermia, & Finding Sperm When You’ve Been Told There Is None

In this exciting episode of Fertility and Other F Words, Dr. Amy Pearlman and Dr. Larry Lipshultz are joined by two leaders in male reproductive medicine: Dr. Blair T. Stocks and Dr. Taylor Kohn.Dr. Stocks and Kohn are Assistant Professors of Urology in the Division of Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. Both specialize in the evaluation and treatment of men presenting with infertility.Together, we walk through what a thorough male fertility evaluation actually looks like—from history and physical exam to lab work and imaging—and discuss cutting-edge research and innovative techniques being used to better understand why some men present with infertility and how sperm may still be found in men who’ve been told they have none.This episode dives deep into:How male fertility is evaluated in real clinical practiceWhy lab work and semen analysis interpretation require true infertility expertiseWhat azoospermia really means—and why it doesn’t always mean “no options”Emerging technologies helping specialists find sperm with greater precisionKey TakeawaysSemen analysis is an important metric of a man’s healthAt-home semen analysis testing can be used as a screening toolIn-office semen analysis and hormonal blood work are core parts of the evaluation and blood work may include:Total testosteroneFree testosteroneFSHLHInhibin BAnti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OH progesterone)ProlactinEstradiolInterpretation of semen analysis and lab results should be done by an expert in male infertilityMen told they have azoospermia (no sperm in the ejaculate) may still have additional optionsThere are currently no FDA-approved medications for male infertilityA healthy lifestyle—nutrition, movement, and overall wellness—matters for sperm healthInnovative Research HighlightedDr. Taylor Kohn is using high-frequency ultrasound to identify areas of the testicle more likely to contain sperm by visualizing dilated seminiferous tubules—helping guide sperm extraction procedures with greater precision and potentially less invasiveness.Dr. Blair Stocks is using flow cytometry to determine whether men told they have “no sperm” truly have none, allowing rapid identification of rare sperm cells that may otherwise be missed.If you care about male fertility, reproductive health, or understanding what options truly exist—this is an episode you don’t want to miss.Notice: The Fertility and Other F Words webcast and YouTube channel are intended for general informational purposes only. They do not constitute the practice of medicine nor do they provide medical advice or create a doctor–patient relationship. Use of the information provided through this webcast, YouTube channel, or any linked materials is at the listener’s/viewer’s own risk. The content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners/viewers should never disregard or delay seeking medical advice for any health condition and are strongly encouraged to consult their own qualified health care professional with any questions or concerns.All content from the Fertility and Other F Words webcast is the property of PODCAST WITH DRS. AMY AND LARRY LLC.Listeners and viewers may not use, distribute, re-distribute, reproduce, alter, or edit any portion of this content without the express written permission of the webcast owners.The views and opinions expressed in this webcast are those of Drs. Amy Pearlman and Larry Lipshultz and do not reflect the official positions or responsibilities of Prime Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, or any affiliated institutions.