If you are a man wondering if you have a problem with infertility, you’re not alone. It is estimated that approximately 15 percent of all couples are infertile even after frequent, unprotected sexual intercourse for at least a year. It’s about fifty-fifty in most cases that male infertility is the challenge. This article is not meant to replace the professional advice of your health care professional, but may serve as an overview to help you formulate your own questions about male infertility. Take these questions with you when you visit your doctor. In this article we will discuss causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
What causes male infertility?
There are many causes and factors that can contribute to male infertility. Male infertility primarily involves low sperm production, abnormal sperm function, or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. The root causes can be genetic, environmental, or temporary contributing factors such as illnesses or lifestyle factors. Sometimes injuries and related health problems can play a role. It’s complicated, but even things like diet and exercise and lifestyle choices such as alcohol consumption and other factors can play a role in causing male infertility.
What are the symptoms of male infertility?
For many men, there may be no other obvious signs or symptoms of infertility other than expecting to conceive and not having that occur. Sometimes, though, a genetic disorder or other issue of a man’s medical history may already give an indication that becoming a parent is going to be a challenge. If your medical history shows that you have a hormonal imbalance, abnormal testicles, or any condition that could potentially block the normal, healthy passage of sperm, you doctor may have already discussed what this could mean for your future.
Problems with sexual function such as reduced sexual desire, difficulty with ejaculation, pain during intercourse, very small volumes of fluid ejaculated, low sperm count or low mobility of sperm, or difficulty maintaining an erection (also known as erectile dysfunction) all contribute to the challenge of being able to father a child.
Recommended Read: Infertility: Introduction & Influencing Factors
Diagnosis
You likely know some of this information already, but in order to discuss the treatment options, it is first important to review the steps to a normal, healthy conception.
You must be healthy enough to produce healthy sperm and at least one of your testicles must be functioning correctly. Your sperm needs to follow the normal pattern of movement from healthy production in the testicles and through the delicate tubes that transport sperm until they combine with seminal (transport fluid) and are ejaculated out of the penis with enough force to enter the woman’s body.
Technically, you only need one sperm to fertilize an egg, but conception, as far as nature is concerned, is a numbers game. The more available sperm that you have to contribute to the sequence of events, the more likely it is that one of those sperm will reach the egg and fertilize it. If the number of sperm you have available to contribute is very low, the odds that one of your sperm will fertilize your partner’s egg are less. (Again, conception is not impossible, but less likely.) From a medical standpoint, a low sperm count is generally considered fewer than 15 million sperm. Following the development of healthy sperm and a high number of available sperm, they must be functional and able to move. If the movement (motility) or function of your sperm is abnormal, the sperm may not be able to reach or penetrate your partner’s egg.
Treatment options for male infertility
Problems with male fertility can be caused by a number of health issues and medical treatments, and no one person is going to have the exact same set of challenges that someone else may have. Basically, the treatment plan your doctor will discuss with you will involve looking at all the possible factors that contribute to a health conceptiony. Some of these include:
If the problem is genetic, such as a hormone imbalance, your health care provider may prescribe medication. Infertility can also result from disorders of the testicles themselves or an abnormality affecting other hormonal systems including the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands. Low testosterone (male hypogonadism) and other hormonal problems have a number of possible causes and the treatment options will vary accordingly.
Recommended Read: Symptoms & Diagnosis of Infertility
If the problem has been caused by injury, your doctor may discuss surgical options. For example, problems with the veins that drain the testicle are the most common reversible cause of male infertility.
Some infections like chlamydia or chronic illness can interfere with sperm production. Often once the infection is addressed, sperm production improves. Cancers and non-malignant tumors can affect the male reproductive organs directly through the glands that release hormones related to reproduction, such as the pituitary gland, or through unknown causes. In some cases, surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to treat tumors can affect male fertility.
If the problem is maintaining an erection for sex (erectile dysfunction), premature ejaculation, or psychological or relationship problems that interfere with sex, your treatment will be to address these issues through education, medication and/or therapy so that you can enjoy a healthy sexual relationship.
A less common but still significant issue that may contribute to healthy sperm production is environmental. Because sperm are living cells, overheating the testicles can kill these important cells before they have a chance to develop normally. Frequent use of saunas or hot tubs may temporarily impair sperm count. Wearing tight clothing that constricts the testicles or working on a laptop computer for long stretches of time also may increase the temperature in your scrotum and may slightly reduce sperm production.
Drug use, whether prescribed by your doctor or not, will have some effect on sperm production. Use of cocaine or marijuana may temporarily reduce the number and quality of sperm, and drinking alcohol can lower testosterone levels. Other medications like those used for allergies, depression, high blood pressure, steroids can impact fertility.
Make sure that you discuss your lifestyle choices along with other factors that contribute to your medical history. In reviewing this information, your healthcare professional will be able to better present you with options.
