Words of Wisdom from Dr. Gehlbach

KCIA has asked Dr. Dan Gehlbach from Midwest Reproductive Center to share with you important infertility-related information.  Dr. Gehlbach was a speaker at the 2011 conference, and Midwest Reproductive Center was a platinum sponsor.  He will be a speaker again at the upcoming 2012 conference.  We look forward to working again with Dr. Gehlbach and his office.  Recently, Midwest Reproductive Center opened another office in the Northland; their original office is in Olathe.   We are delighted to have him as a guest writer for our website.  After the article, you will find Dr. Gehlbach's biography originally printed in the 2011 conference program.

Male Infertility Myths

Myth: Infertility is a woman’s issue.

            A male factor is found in at least half of all infertile couples, which is why semen analysis is recommended early in the evaluation of the couple.

Myth: Age does not affect a man’s fertility.

            The age of the woman has a much greater effect upon fertility, but men’s sperm count declines gradually over time. There is also an increase in chromosomal abnormalities in the sperm of men as they get older.

Myth: I should switch from boxers to briefs.

            Heat can lower sperm counts, and men should avoid excessive heat exposure, such as saunas or hot tubs. Fortunately the choice of underwear does not result in infertility.

 

Myth: The longer I abstain from sex, the better my sperm count.

            Having sex too often can sometimes lower a man’s sperm count, but abstaining for 7 days or longer can also hurt the quality of the sperm sample. Two or three days of abstinence is recommended before semen analysis. Similarly, having intercourse every other day around ovulation time is a common practice for couples trying to conceive.

 

Myth: Taking a vacation will help us get pregnant.

            Stress is often blamed for infertility. However, stress has not been shown to affect a man’s sperm count and there is no evidence it causes infertility. Taking a vacation or a break from treatment may reduce stress levels temporarily, but it does not help your chance of getting pregnant.

 

Myth: There are no fertility drugs for men.

            While fertility drugs are often used for women undergoing fertility treatment, there are much fewer situations where medication can help improve a man’s sperm count. When the man’s pituitary gland does not produce the hormones necessary for sperm production; fertility drugs can restore a normal sperm count.

Myth: There are no effective treatments for male infertility.

            Actually there are several very successful treatments for male infertility. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) can help by placing the processed sperm sample into the woman’s uterus, usually while she is taking fertility drugs to release several eggs at one time. For men with extremely low sperm counts, IVF is much more successful, because the sperm are injected directly into the eggs to fertilize them. Even in situations where the man has a zero sperm count, such as following a vasectomy, sperm can be taken from the testicles by an office biopsy and used in IVF, again with excellent pregnancy rates.

Olathe Location
20375 W. 151st Street, Suite 403
Doctors Building 1
Olathe, KS 66061
913-780-4300
913-780-4250 fax
http://www.midwestreproductive.com/

Northland Location
Medical Plaza North
2750 Clay Edwards Drive, Suite 604
North Kansas City, MO 64116
913-780-4300
913-780-4250 fax
http://www.midwestreproductive.com/



Biography of Dan Gehlbach, M.D.

Dr. Dan Gehlbach, MD, Founder and Director of Midwest Reproductive Center, PA, is Board Certified in both OB/GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Gehlbach graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point as a Distinguished Graduate in the top 5% of his class. While attending the University of Kansas School of Medicine, where he received his medical degree, he was awarded membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He completed his residency in OB/GYN at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX. He received his fellowship training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, where his research interests focused on uterine leiomyoma (fibroids). Dr. Gehlbach developed the first In Vitro Fertilization program in the Army and served as Director of the Reproductive Endocrine Division at Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. He served as an associate clinical professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he also served as Director of the Advanced Laparoscopy Training program for the military. Dr. Gehlbach has served as the Army Section Chairman of the Armed Forces District of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. While in the military he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and has published numerous medical studies and articles and received awards for his scientific presentations and clinical teaching. Upon leaving the military, Dr. Gehlbach has devoted his full-time efforts to clinical practice and opened his private practice in Olathe in 2004. His practice was the first in Kansas City to have an office-based IVF program. He has served on the Board of Directors for the KC Gynecological Society and currently holds the office of Treasurer.