Katherine L. Rotker, MD

Katherine Rotker, MD, is a urologist who specializes in male fertility, sexual medicine and men’s health. She has advanced fellowship training in caring for men with erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease (curvature of the penis) and low testosterone, among other conditions. She specializes in microsurgeries including varicocele repair and vasectomy reversal, as well as vasectomies and sperm retrieval. She also practices general urology, treating both men and women for a range of urological issues.

“I love working with people,” says Dr. Rotker, explaining why she became a urologist. “This is a field where you build long-term relationships with patients—and can follow some patients for decades,” she says. She works closely with her reproductive endocrinology colleagues, doctors who specialize in female fertility issues, to help couples navigate through what can be an emotional and difficult time, and spends time seeing patients at the Yale Fertility Center in Orange. “It is so fulfilling to help a couple achieve their goals in terms of pregnancy and intimacy.”

The majority of urologists today are men, but Dr. Rotker says she expects to see more women in the field as more pursue urology residencies. When asked if her gender is difficult for some patients, she states, “I think it is an asset.” “Some men say, ‘I was nervous to see a woman, but you always make me feel comfortable.’ I think there is something—gender aside—about finding the right doctor, one who knows how to make these difficult topics easier. I think it’s about truly listening and normalizing how common these conditions are, and letting patients know they are not alone and that there are options.”

In addition to caring for patients, Dr. Rotker has research interests in equity and gender within urology, and fertility topics such as sperm DNA fragmentation, which is related to genetic damage in the sperm. She has published on a variety of topics and has presented on a regional and national level.

Embarrassment can be a barrier to patients seeking care for many of these health issues, including erectile dysfunction and infertility. However, Dr. Rotker urges these men to talk to a doctor. “Men can feel alone when experiencing these health problems but they are common conditions and there is a lot we can offer both to address these concerns and improve their overall health."