Happy Father’s Day from Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility! This is a time to celebrate all the amazing dads and dads-to-be. Our team of specialists is dedicated to helping families start and grow, and we know that fathers play a crucial role in that process. 

A Brief History of Father’s Day

The modern Father’s Day was created in the early 20th century when Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, heard a Mother’s Day sermon. Dodd’s mother had died when she was young, but she still had a father, and she felt that he deserved to be honored too. 

Dodd proposed the holiday to several churches in her area, and on June 19, 1910, the first Father’s Day celebration took place at the YMCA in Spokane. In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson went to Spokane to speak at a Father’s Day celebration; soon thereafter, Congress passed a joint resolution designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. In 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father’s Day to be held on the third Sunday in June.

Father’s Day is now recognized all over the world. It’s a day to reflect on the importance of fathers and father figures in our lives and to celebrate the joys and challenges of fatherhood.

Trends and Instances in which Men Could Struggle with Infertility

Unfortunately, infertility is a problem that affects millions of men. About one-third of couples struggling to conceive are facing male infertility. There are several trends, lifestyle choices, and medical circumstances that can cause the problem.

For example, men who smoke are more likely to have lower sperm counts than men who don’t smoke. Obesity can also lead to decreased sperm count and motility. And while it’s not necessarily a trend, age can also play a role in male fertility; as men get older, their sperm quality declines. Certain medical conditions such as diabetes or an undescended testicle can also cause fertility problems. 

Factors that may increase the likelihood of male infertility include: 

• A family history of infertility
• Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins
• Certain infections
• Previous surgery in the groin area
• Use of anabolic steroids

Treatments for Men at Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

In honor of Father’s Day, we wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the procedures offered at our clinic that are designed for dads-to-be. If you or someone you love is dealing with infertility, know that there is help available. Every deserving man aspiring to be a father should have the opportunity to experience that blessing.

Fathers day occurs during June, which also happens to be Pride Month! In the spirit of all deserving men wanting to be fathers, the LGBTQ community may benefit from our services as well. We offer a variety of procedures and services specific to men or that apply to men. These include: 

• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

ICSI is a procedure in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg. This is often used when there are problems with sperm motility or morphology (shape).

• Testicular sperm extraction (TESE)

TESE is a surgical procedure in which sperm are retrieved from the testicle. This is often used when there is no sperm in the ejaculate.

• Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA)

MESA is a surgical procedure in which sperm are retrieved from the epididymis (a tube near the testicle that stores and transports sperm).

• Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)

PGD is a procedure in which embryos are tested for certain genetic conditions before they are implanted. This may be used when there is a family history of a particular genetic condition.

• Egg Donation 

Egg donations and gestational carriers help same-sex male couples become parents. Once the egg is fertilized, the embryo is implanted into your chosen carrier using IVF. 

• Sperm and Egg Freezing 

Sperm and egg freezing helps transgender men and women control their reproductive destiny.  This way, they can have children that are genetically related to them at a later time.

We understand that starting or growing a family is a very personal and sensitive decision. Our goal is to provide you with the information and resources you need to make the best decisions for your specific situation. If you have any questions about our services, please don’t hesitate to contact the clinic. We’re here to help! You can also follow us on Instagram.