Male Infertility


Many couples may be surprised to know about the facts about male infertility. In the most of the reported cases, both male and female partners have contributed about 40% each, and the rest of 20% couples have suffered from unexplained infertility or involvement of both partners.

About one out of every three infertility problems is caused due to the man only, and about half the time men are somehow involved in infertility.



Introduction

A man’s fertility usually depends on the quality and quantity of his sperms. If in any case, a male partner produces a low sperm count (Oligospermia), no sperms (Azoospermia), a poor quality or non-motile sperms, or even unable to ejaculate at all then he may be suffering from male infertility.



Symptoms
  • A woman partner is unable to conceive, even after having regular unprotected sexual intercourse with her male partner for one year.
  • Abnormal hair growth in a male partner may indicate he is having hormonal problems that may be a cause of male infertility.
  • Male partner has reported with small sexual organs i.e. small testicles or penis.

Causes
  • Varicocele is the most common cause of male infertility that accounts at least 38% of cases. It causes an unnatural collection of bulging veins above the testicle.
  • Undescended testicle
  • Fever due to infections in the prostate (prostatitis), testicles (orchitis), or anywhere in the body
  • Cancer Chemotherapy
  • Anabolic steroids or anti-seizure medicines
  • Genetic factors: Absence of the ‘vas deferens’ for the sperm ejaculation
  • Hormonal problems
  • Retrograde ejaculation: A backward semen ejaculation happens into the bladder instead of out the penis. This happens due to some history of surgery

Diagnosis
  • Semen and Sperm analysis: A fresh sample of semen is assessed by the specialist to analyze sperm count, shape, motility, and other variables.
  • Physical examination: A thorough physical examination is usually performed by a urologist to detect ‘Varicocele’ or hormone problems.
  • Hormone evaluation: Sperm production is associated with the production of multiple male hormones such as Testosterone. However, hormones cause the problem only in 97% of infertile males.
  • Testicular biopsy: Men who produce very low or no sperm in their semen have to undergo a testicular biopsy to analyze quality and quantity of sperms to confirm any blockage somewhere.
  • Genetic testing: This test is helpful to detect specific obstacles to fertility or problems with sperm.

Treatment

The main target to treat male infertility is to allow a pregnancy. In the most of the cases, the cause of male infertility is reversible, and therefore, conception can result from natural sex.

Various available options for male infertility treatments are:


  • Medications: Some medications may be prescribed to treat hormonal or psychological problems.
  • Surgery: It is usually performed to repair varicoceles by blocking off the abnormal veins. Any obstruction in the sperm transport plumbing can be surgically corrected. Sometimes, Hormonal abnormalities are treated with surgery.
  • Assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs): These are high-tech procedures to treat male infertility. It gives an artificial boost to a sperm to get into an egg. ARTs have effectively improved the possibility of conception even in a very low or abnormal sperm conditions.

For more information or any query concerned with the Infertility problem, consult with our fertility specialists at Shah Hospital.