Overview of Male Infertility: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
When you are not able to conceive after regular intercourse, then it can be considered as infertility. It is not always important that only female infertility is the reason for not conceiving. There is a 50% chance of male infertility can be the reason for not conceiving. Don’t let any infertility issue stop you from becoming a parent.
What is Male Infertility?
When the male partner has some infertility problem, because of which the chances of getting pregnant decrease, it is called male infertility. There can be several symptoms of male infertility, such as low sperm count, abnormal sperm motility, and others. It is important to know the correct cause of male infertility to seek proper treatment.
Types of Male Infertility
The male has to face various challenges because of infertility issues and they should opt for the best treatment options. Let’s explore what are the different types of male infertility:
| Primary Male Infertility | Secondary Male Infertility |
| A man who never experienced the joy of becoming a father even after trying to conceive is referred to as primary male infertility. | When a man already has children but now facing challenges in conceiving again is referred to as secondary male infertility. |
| Obstructive Male Infertility | Non-obstructive Male Infertility |
| When sperm is not able to pass through a reproductive tract due to physical obstruction from the testicles to the semen is called obstructive male infertility. | When there is a problem with the production or functioning of sperm then it is considered as non-obstructive male infertility. |
| Partial Azoospermia | Complete Azoospermia |
| When the sperm count is low and not enough for successful fertilization then it is called partial azoospermia. | When the sperm count is zero and no sperm is present in the ejaculation then it is called complete azoospermia. |
Symptoms of Male Infertility
There are some common symptoms of male infertility:
- Difficulty in erectile dysfunction which impacts sexual intercourse and chances of conception.
- Abnormal quality and low sperm count.
- Hormonal disturbances and sexual dysfunction.
- Pain and swelling in the testicles.
Causes of Male Infertility
Various causes of male infertility can impact the reproductive health of a man.
- Lifestyle factors: Several lifestyle changes such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and drug usage can negatively impact male infertility.
- Medical conditions: In some medical conditions such as varicocele, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, there might be some difficulty in conceiving due to damage to the reproductive system.
- Emotional and Psychological factors: The hormonal balance can be disturbed due to chronic stress which majorly impacts fertility.
- Age-related factors: The quality and count of sperm decrease with age which will directly affect fertility.
Diagnosis of Male Infertility
- Physical examination & medical history
- Semen analysis and laboratory tests
- Hormonal assessments and imaging studies
- Genetic testing and counseling
Treatment of Male Infertility
- Medication Treatment: Medicines are the first-line treatment for the patient suffering from infertility problems. They generally help to maintain sperm count, and hormone balance, increase sperm production, and more.
- Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART): ART techniques such as IVF, ICSI, IUI, TESA, and more help to conceive a baby easily. These techniques are helpful for both male and female infertility issues.
- Surgical Treatment: Some male infertility issues may require surgical procedures such as vasectomy reversal, varicocelectomy, vasoepididymostomy, and sperm retrieval.
- Lifestyle Changes: It is important to do some lifestyle changes to improve infertility issues. Some of the suggested improvements are avoiding alcohol consumption, stopping smoking, doing regular exercise, and maintaining optimum body weight.
FAQs
Q1: What are the 4 main causes of male infertility?
Ans: There are some main causes of male infertility such as sperm obstruction, low or nil sperm count, hormonal problems, etc.
Q2: Which is the best treatment for male infertility?
Ans: The best male infertility treatments are in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Q3: Can a male be 100% infertile?
Ans: Yes, a male can be 100% infertile. It can be affected by various factors such as azoospermia, low sperm count, abnormal sperm shape, and poor sperm motility.
