The term male infertility talks about a male partner’s inefficiency in making a fertile woman pregnant. Even after having unprotected sex for long period, the woman is unable to conceive a baby because of infertility caused by the male partner.
One-third (33%) of infertility is due to male infertility. The main factor of male infertility is the low levels of sperm production in males. The process of fertilization depends upon the quality of the sperm produced by the males. There must be enough functional sperm in the semen to fertilize the female partner’s eggs for a healthy pregnancy.
The successful process of fertilization relies on the sperm quality that males produce. There must be enough sperm present in the semen with its ability to properly function and fertilize the female partner’s egg for a healthy pregnancy.
Below is the list of causes of male infertility.
- Addiction to drugs can reduce vitality, muscle strength and testicular function, resulting in low sperm
- Prolonged sitting or wearing tight clothes can increase the
- Extended periods of sitting or wearing tight clothing can raise the temperature in the scrotum region of a male and can negatively impact male
- Hormonal imbalances such as diabetes or issues with hormone-producing organs like the thyroid can also have an
- Exposure to toxic chemicals, pesticides, and painting materials can reduce sperm
- Low Folic acid, Vitamin C, and Zinc levels can also impact male
- The medication process used to treat tumours or chemotherapy to cure cancer can damage the male reproductive organs and lead to male
- Excessive alcohol consumption can lower testosterone levels and reduce sperm production in males.
- When a boy is born with two XX chromosomes, it can lead to chromosomal abnormalities and male Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic condition that can cause infertility in men.
- Obesity can cause changes in hormones and reduce sperm production in males.
- Defects or blockages that damage reproductive organs cause Male
- Severe infections like epididymitis or STDs such as gonorrhoea can cause harm to the passage of sperm or even
- Strong antibiotics may also damage
- Varicocele, which is the enlargement of veins inside the scrotum, is another condition that reduces the quality of sperm in males.
Some warning flags of male infertility include:
- Trouble ejaculating
- Problems with sexual function
- Reduced sexual desire or loss of
- Trouble keeping or maintaining an erection sufficient for
- Premature ejaculation
In most cases, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) can help couples with male factor infertility.
WHAT ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE TESTS TO DIAGNOSE MALE INFERTILITY?
- A semen analysis is the most crucial test for male It assesses the amount of semen produced, the quality and quantity of movement, and the shape of the sperm. Sometimes, multiple semen analysis tests are conducted as sperm levels fluctuate between tests. In normal males, the semen analysis results indicate a sperm count of at least 15 million per ml and at least one-third showing forward movement.
- Hormone testing – involves a blood test that measures the levels of hormones produced by the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and other
- Scrotum Ultrasound – use of high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal male reproductive organs, aiding doctors in identifying any issue with the testicles or supporting structures, such as a
- Transrectal ultrasound – is a medical procedure that allows doctors to examine your prostate and check for any blockages or tubes that carry
- Post-ejaculated urinalysis can determine if your sperm is travelling backwards into the bladder instead of out of your penis during This test involves analyzing sperm in your urine.
- Genetic test
- Testicular biopsy
- Specialized sperm function test
- Physical examination
The medical professionals who specialize in treating reproductive issues in men are known as Andrologists. To locate a male fertility doctor near you, search online for “male fertility doctors near me” or consult your primary care physician.
