Males who have paraplegia (cannot use the lower half of their body) may be told they are infertile. However, paraplegia doesn't have to mean you can't have a biological child. At Penn Medicine, we specialize in treating infertility in males after a spinal cord injury (SCI) or paraplegia.
Treatment Options for Male Infertility After Spinal Cord Injury and Paraplegia
Care for male infertility after spinal cord injury requires doctors who are experts in this specialized area of medicine. We are one of the few programs in the country with urology experts in this field.
Though we provide care in the Philadelphia region, patients from all over come to us for this specialized care. We offer advanced sperm collection techniques for male fertility after SCI and paraplegia, including:
- Penile vibratory stimulation: This delicate procedure uses a vibratory device to help men with spinal cord injury achieve an ejaculation. Patients can do this in the privacy of their homes or in our facility. This technique collects sperm to use for intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- Retrograde collections: Our specialists can harvest sperm in patients with retrograde ejaculation (semen that goes into the bladder instead of out the urethra). Then, we can use this sperm for an IUI or IVF procedure.
- Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration/testicular sperm extraction (PESA/TESE): This delicate procedure requires a small incision in the scrotum. With PESA/TESE, we harvest sperm directly from the testicle or epididymis (duct behind the testicle). After the procedure, you can go home the same day.
Our doctors also can coordinate these fertility treatments with your partner's IUI or IVF procedure. Careful timing ensures all your fertility procedures are completed on the same day so you don't need multiple visits.
Male Fertility Care for SCI and Paraplegia: Why Choose Us?
Our fertility and urology experts provide a comprehensive SCI and paraplegia fertility program. We help many males with spinal cord injury and paraplegia become biological parents with our:
- Fellowship-trained urologists: Our doctors have the highest level of training in male infertility, erectile dysfunction and other urology conditions in men with SCI and paraplegia. Meet our fertility care specialists.
- Specialized sperm collection techniques: Our experts provide advanced sperm retrieval procedures that aren't commonly available. These techniques allow us to collect a healthy sperm sample when a person cannot ejaculate. Our andrology (male sexual health) doctors are experienced in surgical sperm extraction.
- Collaboration with other Penn specialists: Our urologists work closely with our reproductive endocrinology and infertility doctors. This team approach gives you seamless, comprehensive fertility care.
- Full range of fertility services: Our Penn Fertility Care program offers a broad range of services to help you build your family. We provide intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), egg freezing and sperm banking.
Make an Appointment
Call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.