12/18/2025
Full episode: https://www.draimee.org/new-hope-for-male-infertility-can-isotretinoin-restore-s***m-production-with-guest-dr-paul-turek
This week, I'm chatting with Dr. Paul Turek about a fascinating new study on male infertility. He's done a small, but significant study that showed that isotretinoin (a medication many know as Accutane for acne) may actually help stimulate s***m production in men with severe infertility.
The study builds on the work of Dr. John Amory (Department of Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine) who had established that men with low s***m counts often have low vitamin A levels in their testicles (not just in their blood), which led him to suggest that elevating those levels may lead to improved s***m counts.
In the study, men with severe infertility (including those with zero s***m in their ej*****te) were given dermatologic doses of isotretinoin for six months. The results? About a third of these men developed motile s***m that can be used for IVF, without needing invasive procedures. And for those who still needed procedures, the success rate was an impressive 75%.
If you or someone you know is struggling with severe male infertility, this could be a new avenue to explore with your doctor. Dr. Turek shares more about the findings and how to reach him in today's episode.
Thank you, Dr. Turek, for sharing your expertise and hope with our community!