Male Infertility: Causes, Treatment, & Symptoms
Welcome to the world of fertility, where dreams of parenthood come alive! However, for many couples struggling with infertility, the journey to conceive may not be as smooth as expected. Among the numerous factors that can affect fertility, male infertility is a critical but often overlooked aspect.
While the topic of female infertility is frequently discussed, male infertility is equally prevalent and can have a significant impact on couples trying to conceive.
From hormonal imbalances and genetic factors to lifestyle choices and medical conditions, male infertility can have a variety of causes. However, with advancements in modern medicine, there is hope.
In this blog, we will discuss the causes, symptoms and male infertility treatment options.
Let’s get started!
What is Male Infertility?
Infertility is a condition that affects the reproductive system and can result in the inability of a couple to achieve pregnancy despite regular, unprotected sexual intercourse for a year or more. Both males and females can experience infertility, which may be caused by various factors in either or both partners.
Male infertility refers to the inability of a man to achieve pregnancy with a female partner after a year or more of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. It is estimated that male infertility contributes to about 40-50% of all infertility cases. Male infertility tests can help you to determine the possible causes and treatment options.
Symptoms of Male Infertility
Male infertility may not always present with noticeable symptoms, and many men with infertility may not experience specific signs or symptoms. However, some common signs and symptoms that may be indicative of male infertility include the following:
Erectile Dysfunction: Problems with erectile dysfunction or difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection during sexual intercourse can indicate male infertility.
Pain or Discomfort in the Testicles: Pain, swelling, or lumps in the testicles could be signs of an underlying condition such as infection, inflammation, or a mass that may affect sperm production or function. It indicates it’s time to see a doctor for male infertility treatment.
Issues with Ejaculation: Problems with ejaculation, such as retrograde ejaculation (where the semen goes into the bladder instead of coming out of the penis during ejaculation) or premature ejaculation, could be signs of male infertility.
Hormonal Imbalances: Symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances, such as decreased facial or body hair growth, reduced muscle mass, or breast enlargement (gynecomastia), may indicate an issue with hormonal regulation that could affect sperm production.
Low Sperm Count or Motility: Infertility is often the primary manifestation of low sperm count and poor sperm motility, as these conditions can significantly reduce the ability of sperm to fertilise an egg and result in a viable pregnancy. Sperm motility specifically refers to the ability of sperm to move effectively through a woman’s cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes, which is essential for successful fertilisation and conception.
The doctor will perform a male infertility test to determine the underlying causes.
Causes of Male Infertility
Male infertility can have multiple causes, including:
Low Sprem Count (Oligospermia): A low sperm count, oligospermia, is a common cause of male infertility. It can be due to various factors such as hormonal imbalances, genetic factors, infections, certain medications, exposure to environmental toxins, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use.
Abnormal Sperm Shape (Morphology): Sperm with irregular shape or morphology may have difficulty fertilising an egg, reducing the chances of pregnancy. Genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, testicular trauma or injury, and certain medical conditions can cause this.
Reduced Sperm Motility: The sperm needs to swim properly and act to reach and penetrate the egg. Decreased sperm motility or movement, also known as asthenospermia, can be caused by various factors such as genetic issues, hormonal imbalances, infections, varicocele (enlargement of veins in the scrotum), and lifestyle factors.
Hormonal Imbalances: Hormones play a crucial role in sperm production, and imbalances in hormone levels can impact sperm production. Various factors, such as disorders of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland disorders, the use of certain medications, and systemic illnesses, can cause hormonal imbalances.
Varicocele: Varicocele is the enlargement of veins in the scrotum, which can disrupt blood flow and heat regulation in the testicles, leading to reduced sperm production and function.
Infections: Infections of the reproductive tract, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or other bacterial infections, can cause inflammation and scarring, leading to blockages or damage to the reproductive organs and affecting sperm production and quality.
Lifestyle Factors: Certain lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, exposure to environmental toxins, poor nutrition, and sedentary behaviour can negatively impact sperm production, motility, and overall sperm health.
Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, nonmalignant tumours or autoimmune diseases, can also impact male fertility by affecting sperm production, motility, or function.
Genetic factors: Genetic abnormalities, such as chromosomal defects, Y-chromosome microdeletions, or single gene mutations, can cause male infertility by affecting sperm production, motility, or function.
Male infertility is often multifactorial, meaning that a combination of several factors can cause it. Consulting with a healthcare professional and undergoing appropriate male infertility tests can help determine the underlying causes and guide appropriate treatment options.
Diagnosis of Male Infertility
Male infertility can be diagnosed through various tests and evaluations. Some of the common methods used to diagnose male infertility include:
- Semen Analysis
- Hormone Testing
- Testicular Biopsy
- Transrectal Ultrasound (imaging of the prostate gland)
- Physical Exam
- Laboratory Tests
Treatment for Male Infertility
Male infertility treatment depends on the underlying cause or causes identified through a thorough evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional. Some common male infertility treatments include:
Medical Treatment: In some cases, medications may be prescribed to address specific causes of male infertility. For example, hormone replacement therapy may be used to correct hormonal imbalances, antibiotics may be prescribed to treat infections, and medications may treat conditions such as erectile dysfunction or retrograde ejaculation.
Surgical Interventions: In some cases, Dr Rhythm Gupta, an IVF specialist, recommends surgical procedures to correct anatomical abnormalities that affect fertility, such as varicocelectomy to repair varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum) or surgical treatment of obstructive azoospermia (absence of sperm in the ejaculate due to blockage).
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART): ART (assisted reproductive technologies) is a procedure involves the handling of sperm and eggs to achieve pregnancy. Common ART options include Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI): IUI, or intrauterine insemination, is a common assisted reproductive technology (ART) used for mild male factor infertility. It involves obtaining a semen sample from the male partner, washing it to remove non-motile sperm, preparing it to concentrate the best motile sperm, and then placing the prepared sperm directly into the uterus, just above the cervical opening in the female, usually around the time of ovulation when the egg has been released from the ovary.
- ICSI: ICSI is a type of IVF, a more advanced ART option for severe male factor infertility. In this technique, single sperm is chosen under a microscope and injected directly into an egg to facilitate fertilisation.
- Sperm Retrieval Techniques: Sperm retrieval techniques are typically used in cases where sperm cannot be obtained through ejaculation due to azoospermia, but the other blood test or hormonal test shows there is sperm production is happening in the testes. These techniques allow for the retrieval of sperm directly from the testes, which can then be used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) during an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle.
- If no sperm can be retrieved from the male partner or if there are genetic concerns, donor sperm can be used for ART procedures. Dr Rhythm Gupta can help you find which technology suits you.
Lifestyle changes: Making healthy lifestyle changes can be beneficial in some cases of male infertility. This may include managing stress, avoiding exposure to environmental toxins, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and managing chronic medical conditions such as diabetes or hypertension.
Psychological Support or Counselling: Dealing with male infertility can be emotionally challenging. Seeking psychological support through counselling, therapy, or support groups can be helpful in managing the emotional and psychological impact of infertility.
The male infertility treatment plan is individualised based on the specific cause, severity, and overall health of the individual, as well as the preferences and values of the couple. It’s important to consult a qualified healthcare professional or an IVF specialist like Dr Rhythm Gupta to determine the most appropriate treatment approach for each case.
Wrapping Up!
Male infertility can be caused by various factors, from hormonal imbalances and infections to structural abnormalities and genetic issues. However, with advancements in medical science, numerous treatment options are available, including medications, assisted reproductive techniques (ART), surgery, lifestyle changes, and counselling, to address male infertility and help couples achieve their dream of parenthood.
If you or your partner are facing infertility and seeking expert guidance and male infertility treatment, call Dr Rhythm Gupta, IVF Specialist, today. She has extensive experience diagnosing and treating infertility and can provide personalised care and treatment options tailored to your needs.
Don’t let male infertility stand in your dreams of starting a family. Contact Dr Rhythm Gupta to book an appointment and take the first step towards parenthood.
