Dr. Kavoussi is fellowship trained in the evaluation and medical and surgical treatment of male infertility, including microsurgical expertise in the field required for sperm harvest (microTESE) under certain circumstances.
Dr. Kavoussi was involved in basic science research investigating new technologies on a cellular level to help improve the efficiency and success rates of sperm retrieval in an animal model to ultimately be applied to men without sperm in the semen to allow these couples to undergo IVF with the man’s sperm.
As more men wait until later in life to build their families and increasing numbers are being diagnosed with low testosterone at younger ages, there
Having a sperm count of zero is not a diagnosis that any man expects to receive; however, it impacts 1% of men in the general
Non-obstructive azoospermia, having a sperm count of zero due to testicular cellular failure in making sperm rather than a blockage, is the most challenging clinical
A varicocele is an abnormal dilation of the veins from the testicle. Fifteen percent of men in the general population and forty percent of men presenting with infertility have a varicocele, and this is the most common correctable cause of male infertility. The varicocele can be repaired through an approximately 1/2 inch incision made in the groin. This is performed as a day surgery and the patient may return to full activity in one week. Seventy percent of men with infertility, abnormal sperm counts or abnormal sperm function, and a varicocele will have improvement in sperm counts/function after varicocele repair. Varicoceles can also damage the DNA inside of the head of the sperm cells with a process known as sperm DNA fragmentation. When men have high percentage of sperm cells with fragmented DNA, the fertilization and pregnancy rates are lower, and higher rates of miscarriage are associated with varicoceles. Varicocele repairs improve the health of the sperm cells and studies have shown higher pregnancy rates after varicoceles are repaired, even if sperm parameters do not improve and levels of reproductive assistance are required, as the healthier sperm cells do a better job fertilizing eggs and help sustain pregnancies. Dr. Kavoussi is fellowship trained in microscopic varicocele surgery and each perform multiple varicocele repairs on a weekly basis. Dr. Parviz Kavoussi was a co-author on a clinical guideline scientific paper on sperm DNA fragmentation and its importance in specific male fertility evaluations, including men with varicoceles.
Dr. Parviz Kavoussi provides care for a large number of men with varicoceles and with azoospermia (sperm count of zero) at Austin Fertility & Reproductive Medicine/Westlake IVF. Dr. Kavoussi has contributed a chapter on varicoceles and azoospermia to the Springer published textbook of Varicocele and Male Infertility. In these complex scenarios, it is always recommended that a man with a sperm count of zero without a blockage as the cause, who has a varicocele has that varicocele repaired as 20-40% of these men will have return of sperm to the semen several months after repair of the varicocele. In men who do not have return of sperm to the semen after varicocele repair, and have to go through the next step of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE), a meticulous microsurgical search for sperm in the testicle to be retrieved for use with IVF, the odds of retrieving sperm increase after the varicocele has been repaired. There will also be healthier sperm retrieved with better outcomes with IVF after the varicocele has been retrieved if microTESe is ultimately required.
Forty percent of men who present for fertility evaluations are diagnosed with a varicocele, an abnormal dilation of veins around the testicle, making varicocele the
Varicocele, an abnormal dilation of scrotal veins, is the most common correctable cause of male infertility by causing testicular injury. Men who have lost a
The American Urological Association (AUA) holds its national meeting annually, and in 2025, the event took place in Las Vegas. This premier conference brings together over
It is known that 1% of all men will have no sperm in their semen and 10-15% of infertile men will have no sperm in their semen. In such cases or in cases when a man has a non-surgically correctable blockage not allowing the sperm to reach the semen, there are still options to retrieve sperm that can be used in combination with assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) to successfully achieve a pregnancy. There are multiple options for retrieving sperm including percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) where aspiration is performed from the epididymis (the structure connecting the testicle to the vas deferens), microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA), testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) aspirating sperm directly from the testicle, testicular sperm extraction (TESE), and microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE).
MicroTESE is a specialized procedure used for men without sperm in the semen who do not have a blockage, but have a sperm production failure. Genetic testing is done prior to the procedure to give us an understanding of what the odds are of finding sperm at the time of sperm retrieval. A precise microsurgical technique is then used to look for possible pockets of sperm production throughout the testicle under the visualization of an operative microscope to find sperm that can be used in combination with IVF. The success rates of retrieving sperm using this procedure are highly dependent on the experience of the microsurgeon. Dr. Kavoussi is specialty fellowship trained in microsurgery to find such microscopic pockets of sperm production to allow these couples a chance to achieve a pregnancy with the man’s sperm with high percentage success rates. The team at Austin Fertility & Reproductive Medicine has a 71% of retrieving sperm in men undergoing microTESE which has been published in peer reviewed scientific articles, and is as high if not higher than any program that performs microTESE.
One of the most challenging scenarios for infertile couples is what is known as non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). This occurs when there is severe dysfunction in
Non-obstructive azoospermia (having a sperm count of zero due to a failure of adequate production of sperm rather than a blockage), arguably poses the most
Approximately 1% of men in the general population in the United States have a sperm count of zero. It is remarkably common considering that is
Although the traditional semen parameters obtained on a semen analysis are the cornerstone to a man’s fertility evaluation, higher levels of sperm testing are useful in certain situations. Sperm DNA fragmentation is the test that has had enough scientific data to support its use in clinical practice thus far. It has been demonstrated that in men with elevated levels of sperm DNA fragmentation, there may be lower fertilization rates, lower pregnancy rates, and higher miscarriage rates for the couple. The current clinical recommendations are to offer sperm DNA fragmentation testing for couples with recurrent pregnancy losses, men with varicoceles, and in IVF failures with healthy eggs. Dr. Parviz Kavoussi was a co-author on the scientific manuscript used as the clinical guideline for testing and treating men for high DNA fragmentation.
The andrology laboratory at Westlake IVF offer sperm DNA fragmentation testing. To learn more about andrology laboratory services at Westlake IVF.
Dr. Parviz Kavoussi contributed the textbook chapter on surgical, radiographic, and endoscopic anatomy of the male reproductive system in the 11th and 12th editions of Campbell’s Walsh Urology textbook, which is considered the “bible of urology” used for training urology residents as well as the primary reference for practicing urologists. A mastery of this anatomy is paramount to optimize outcomes with the complex, meticulous surgical procedures performed to optimize male fertility outcomes.
No frills vasectomy experience. Consultation over the phone to save you a trip. Out of the office within an hour of walking in.
...No frills vasectomy experience. Consultation over the phone to save you a trip. Out of the office within an hour of walking in.
Highly recommend for vasectomy procedure. Little to no pain post op and the procedure was done in under 20 minutes. Worst part was the numbing shot. Dr. Kavoussi is amazing!
...Highly recommend for vasectomy procedure. Little to no pain post op and the procedure was done in under 20 minutes. Worst part was the numbing shot. Dr. Kavoussi is amazing!
Great place. They are so professional and kind. We had a great experience. The facilities are well staffed and every time we went, we were encouraged to ask questions. The...
Great place. They are so professional and kind. We had a great experience. The facilities are well staffed and every time we went, we were encouraged to ask questions. The medical team spent so much time with us, making sure we had all our questions and concerns answered. They followed up each visit and we feel we received personalized care. We got the results we wanted 😉
After 10 years trying to get pregnant, we found Dr. SK Kavoussi. Everyone were so kind and we are very thankful to everyone there. Our babies were born in 2019,...
After 10 years trying to get pregnant, we found Dr. SK Kavoussi. Everyone were so kind and we are very thankful to everyone there. Our babies were born in 2019, and they are turning 7 years old on October 14. Thank you so much!
Dr. Kavoussi, Amy, Sarah & Staff, Words could never adequately express our gratitude for your role in helping us welcome our baby girl into this world. No one would ever...
Dr. Kavoussi, Amy, Sarah & Staff, Words could never adequately express our gratitude for your role in helping us welcome our baby girl into this world. No one would ever choose to go through infertility, but your practice made the difficult journey much less painful. Your kindness, compassion, skill & expertise were so appreciated. We often remarked that somehow we felt like your only patients. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us realize the long-awaited dream of parenthood.
Dr. Kavoussi, three weeks ago, my wife and I welcomed our baby into the world. He’s fat, blond, and perfect. We cannot express our gratitude for what you’ve done for...
Dr. Kavoussi, three weeks ago, my wife and I welcomed our baby into the world. He’s fat, blond, and perfect. We cannot express our gratitude for what you’ve done for us. Your expertise & compassion meant everything for us. The world is lucky to have people like you in it.
AFRM offers multiple financing options to help you start your family. Whether you need help paying for IVF or Egg freezing, our financing partners are there to help.
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