Male Fertility Programs

The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Department of Urology in conjunction with the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis (http://www.miamiproject.miami.edu) is the only facility in the world with a Full-Time research project devoted to helping men with Spinal Cord Injury to have children.

What services are available to help with fertility in men with Spinal Cord Injury?
How do I know if I am a candidate?
What is Electroejaculation stimulation (EES)?

What services are available to help with fertility in men with Spinal Cord Injury?
The Department of Urology provides fertility services to men with impaired ejaculation due to spinal cord injuries.

In the past, most men with spinal cord injuries and other types of paralysis were unable to father children due to impaired ejaculation and low sperm count. New developments in semen collection, however, have significantly improved fertility for these men.

How do I know if I am a candidate?
Specialists at Miller School Department of Urology evaluate male fertility potential, beginning with a comprehensive medical and physical assessment that includes laboratory tests. Patients undergo electroejaculation stimulation on subsequent visits to assess and improve fertility potential. Semen enhancement procedures are required in most cases. On occasion, however, ejaculate is not produced, and some men may never be able to father children.

What is Electroejaculation stimulation (EES)?
In Electroejaculation stimulation (EES) probes are inserted into the man's rectum, and the nerves that trigger ejaculation are stimulated by a small regulated amount of current. The harvested sperm is then used in intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization.

The Department also helps facilitate artificial insemination. This requires an evaluation of the female partner for fertility, then coordinating of the EES procedure with the female partner’s ovulatory cycle. If intrauterine attempts are unsuccessful, recommendations may be made for further procedures, such as in vitro fertilization, to increase the chance of pregnancy.