Journal of North Khorasan

Abstract: Background & Objectives: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive and selective treatment for ureteral stones. We investigated the effect of ESWL on semen parameters in patients with lower ureteral stones. Materials and Methods: 150 men with stones in the lower ureter from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (n=90) and North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences (n=60) were included in this semi-experimental study. The patients' age range was 20-42 with an average of 30.8 years. All patients were treated with ESWL. The semen samples from all patients were examined on the day before and 90 days after ESWL. Results: The results showed that total number of sperms and the number of sperms with normal motility and morphology significantly changed after ESWL. No change was observed after ESWL in semen volume or PH. Conclusion: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy could have harmful effect on men fertility. Therefore, other treatments are suggested for men with lower ureteral stones.