Paul Turek, MD, Author at The Turek Clinic

How to Overcome Failed Fertility Treatments

Posted on July 9, 2021 by Paul Turek, MD

Failed again. Another month, another failed infertility treatment. Are you too frightened or tired or broke to keep going, yet unable to accept that end-of-the-road feeling? Here are some things to consider as the feeling of desperation sets in: Why didn’t it work? Find out more about what happened. If there is an explanation, and […]

How Sperm May Be Related to Autism Diagnoses

Posted on June 14, 2021 by Paul Turek, MD

You see the headlines, “Autism increased tenfold,” “Autism 1 in 2 by 2025,” and you wonder if it’s really true and why. Well, the fact is that autism rates are increasing among children. In the 1970s, autism spectrum disorder was reported in 1 in 5,000 children. In 2009, it was 1 in 110. Currently, about […]

The Nitrous-Powered Vasectomy

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Paul Turek, MD

Over the last 25 years and 2,500 no scalpel vasectomies that I’ve performed, I’ve have learned a lot about men. A famous cancer surgeon once told me that he thought that a well-done vasectomy under local anesthesia is “probably the hardest surgical procedure in the entire field.” Harder than taking out a bladder? Yep! Because […]

How Does the mRNA COVID Vaccine Alter Us Genetically?

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Paul Turek, MD

Actually, it doesn’t. It’s not putting a DNA “genetic code” into our bodies. Instead, it’s an injection of the downstream instructions for protein-making molecules called mRNA. These molecules are quickly broken down by cells soon after being injected and don’t have the capacity to genetically “transform” cells like DNA can. Some other facts about the […]

There’s Hope: Maybe He’s Not Infertile!

Posted on February 5, 2021 by Paul Turek, MD

They’ve been trying to conceive for almost two years with no luck. She’s been checked out and he’s been checked out and they’re both “fine.” That’s called unexplained infertility. It’s often at this point that I see couples, shoulders shrugged, saying: “We’re hoping you can figure out why we’re not conceiving!” And this scenario is […]

Is Trying to Conceive Giving You Performance Anxiety?

Posted on January 4, 2021 by Paul Turek, MD

You’ve recently stopped using contraception. She has the timing of her cycle down and knows when she’s most fertile every month. Welcome to baby making time! At first glance, this seems straightforward enough: All those years practicing the art means that you know exactly what to do. Now it’s just a question of stepping up […]

How to Prepare for a Vasectomy

Posted on December 7, 2020 by Paul Turek, MD

The COVID pandemic has been very clarifying for you. You really don’t want more/any children. She has “pulled the goalie” and it’s time for you to step up and take control of things. After a bit of online research, you realize that your options are pretty limited: pulling out, abstinence, condoms…and vasectomy. Luckily, vasectomy happens […]

Dealing With Unsolicited Fertility Advice From Others

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Paul Turek, MD

They’re probably just trying to help, but getting an earful of advice from others about your infertility issue can be incredibly uncomfortable. And belittling. And distressing. Like you haven’t already been endlessly researching options and talking with providers. Untargeted infertility advice is often way off target…and it just keeps coming. But, although no one has […]

What Happens to Birth Rates During Pandemics?

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Paul Turek, MD

At first glance, you’d think that staying at home (by law) during the COVID-19 pandemic would mean more babies being born. After all, conception rates are seasonal, with the highest rates occurring during the winter months when we’re all huddled inside. Romance and sex are all about contact time, right? Turns out, it’s a bit […]

Where You Get Your Semen Analysis Done Matters

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Paul Turek, MD

Quick question. Which matters more: How you collect your semen sample or who analyzes it? Correct, it’s who you give it to that matters more. Barring major interruptions or large faults in technique, collecting semen is basically triggering a spinal reflex that’s pretty consistent in humans, kind of like a light switch. But to properly […]