Infertility in Men: Causes & Treatment
What is Male Infertility?
Male infertility is a man’s inability to impregnate his female partner. About one in six couples worldwide experience fertility issues. Male infertility causes a lot of unwanted stress in married life. It can affect emotional well-being and self-esteem. It can ruin relationships as well.
This condition is actually pretty common. The good part is that there are many solutions for it. People overcome male infertility all the time. Medical advancements have helped many infertile couples conceive. The process starts with understanding the cause of infertility.
What Causes Male Infertility?
There are many possible reasons behind a man struggling with infertility. These are some causes of infertility in men.
Medical Causes
- Infections: Some infections, like epididymitis, orchitis, gonorrhea, and HIV can cause serious issues. They might hurt sperm or block the tubes that sperm travel through.
- Ejaculation issues: So, there is one problem called retrograde ejaculation. Here, what happens is, semen goes backward into the bladder instead of coming out of the penis.
- Defects or blockages in sperm-carrying tubes: These tubes can get damaged by injury or infection. Some inherited disorders can also cause such blockages. This prevents sperm from leaving the body.
- Anti-sperm antibodies: Sometimes, the body’s defense system attacks sperm (anti-sperm bodies) by mistake. This makes it difficult for sperm to fertilize an egg.
- Undescended testicles: Testicles normally move down before birth. This happens while the fetus (developing baby in the womb) is developing. If the testicles don’t move down, it can reduce fertility later.
- Varicocele: This means when veins in the scrotum swell up. This condition could cause damage to the sperm. However, It’s a common problem that can be fixed.
- Hormone imbalances: Problems with testosterone levels can affect sperm production too. Issues with glands like the pituitary gland, thyroid, or adrenal can also cause this.
- Sexual dysfunction: Problems like erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting erections), and premature ejaculation (ejaculating too quickly), become a reason for infertility. Basically, issues with the physical structure of the genitals can make it hard to deliver sperm.
- Celiac disease: This is a sensitivity to gluten. Celiac disease could disrupt hormones. This in turn causes trouble in sperm’s healthy production. In this case, following a gluten-free diet can improve their fertility.
- Medications: Certain drugs can affect fertility. These include chemotherapy, anabolic steroids, and testosterone therapy. Some medicines for ulcers and arthritis also have a negative impact.
- Prior surgeries: Past surgeries can block sperm flow. Vasectomy (intended to prevent pregnancy) or other operations on testicles, can also cause blockages. This prevents sperm from traveling.
Environmental Causes
Factory chemicals can harm fertility with long exposure. Pesticides, paint, and solvents are examples. Heavy metals like lead may also reduce fertility. High doses of radiation or X-rays can permanently damage sperm. Hot tubs and laptops might overheat testicles. This could impair sperm. Sitting a lot or wearing tight clothes may raise scrotal temperature. This could affect sperm quality.
Lifestyle and Other Causes
Some steroids shrink testicles which reduces sperm count. In fact, drugs like cocaine and marijuana may temporarily lower sperm quality. Alcohol has also been proven to affect sperm production. It lowers testosterone (male sex hormone) too. On the same note, tobacco smoking affects sperm quality as well. Apart from harmful consumption, obesity also affects sperm directly. It causes hormone imbalances and increases the chances of male infertility.
What are the Symptoms of Male Infertility?
Sometimes, male infertility has clear signs. A deeper problem can cause these. It might be genetic. Or it could be a hormone issue. Swollen testicle veins can be a cause. Something blocking sperm can also lead to symptoms. Basically the cause also decides the symptoms of infertility in men.
- You might have sexual problems. This includes trouble ejaculating or low ejaculate volume. Less sex drive is another sign. Erection problems can also occur.
- There might be testicle pain or swelling. A lump could also be present.
- Some men have repeated lung infections.
- Not being able to smell is another symptom.
- Unusual breast growth can happen.
- Less facial or body hair is possible. These can point to hormone or chromosome issues. A low sperm count is a clear sign. It is found out by performing tests.
How is male infertility diagnosed?
To find out why a man is infertile, doctors do several tests. First, they ask about his health, habits, and sex life, and do a physical checkup. These are the common male fertility diagnosis tests that you might be asked to take:
- The main test is a semen analysis. Semen is the fluid that contains sperm. The aim is to look at sperm count, movement, and shape. Usually two samples are taken.
- Blood tests check hormone levels and look for genetic issues.
- Imaging like ultrasound can check the testicles for any structural problems.
- Urine tests are done to find infections or other problems.
- If sperm count is very low, a small sample from the testicular tissue might be taken.
Management and Treatment
Doctors have different ways to treat male infertility. They might suggest lifestyle changes. They could prescribe medicines. Sometimes surgery helps. There are also advanced methods to help make a baby.
- Lifestyle Changes
- Keep a good weight, eat fruits and veggies, and exercise regularly. These collectively are great for the management of male infertility.
- Try to avoid bad habits as much as possible. That means don’t smoke, drink alcohol, or use harmful drugs. Find ways to relax and calm your anxiety.
- Although lubricants help in penetration, they can sometimes slow down sperm. Try to avoid using it.
- Medications
- Since balancing hormone levels is important, hormone therapy can help. It fixes hormone problems that can affect sperm.
- Some medicines can harm fertility. These include some antidepressants (pills to treat depression), blood pressure pills, and anti-androgens (drugs that control male sex hormones). Try to avoid or switch these drugs.
- Surgical Treatments
Sometimes surgeries are performed to treat fertility problems, A vasectomy (a surgery to stop sperm passage) can be reversed to allow sperm flow in semen. Blockages near the testicle can also be removed with surgery. Sperm retrieval is directly from the testicles (testicular biopsy). Swollen veins in the scrotum affecting sperm can also be removed surgically.
- Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
For some couples, ART is the ultimate way to get pregnant. Doctors use special modern medical techniques in ART to help couples get pregnant.
- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): Here, they take just one sperm and put it right into an egg.
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Eggs and sperm are taken and then are left in a dish to get mixed. If an egg gets fertilized, they put it in the woman’s body.
Prevention
You can’t always prevent male infertility. But some healthy habits can help make things better for you.
- For starters, stop smoking. Don’t drink too much alcohol, or use illegal drugs.
- Keep a healthy weight and eat well (fresh and nutritious food).
- Avoid too much heat exposure to your testicles.
- Don’t wear tight clothes or use hot tubs often.
- Get your prescribed vaccines on time.
- Manage stress and anxiety in healthy ways.
- Also, try to avoid things like pesticides and heavy metals.
These steps can help with infertility in men.
Final words
Even after one year of regular unprotected sex, if a couple cannot conceive, they are considered infertile. That being said, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. If you are struggling with male infertility and are looking for a solution, we would be delighted to help. Archish IVF will help you understand your reproductive health better. We will also guide you through the next steps.
FAQs
Having male infertility doesn't mean you can't have a baby. Treatments do exist. Talking to a doctor can improve your chances of conceiving.
If it is caused by lifestyle habits, then the situation might get better with healthier life choices. Otherwise, generally, some medical help is required.
Don’t consume alcohol or drinks with too much sugar. Avoid eating processed meat, or food with high saturated fats. Contact Archish IVF for personalised guidance.
To check sperm health, get a semen analysis at a clinic. It measures count, movement, and shape. Home kits are less detailed but they do give a basic idea.
You can't always tell if sperm is unhealthy just by looking. A sperm analysis is the most accurate way to check its health.