Male
Infertility
Male Infertility
Nearly 15 percent of couples aren’t able to conceive a child even though they’ve had frequent, unprotected sexual intercourse for a year or longer. They are infertile. In up to half of these couples, male infertility plays a role. Low sperm production, abnormal sperm function or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperms are the main causes for male infertility. Few of the many other factors which play a role in male infertility are illnesses, injuries, chronic health problems and lifestyle choices. Not being able to conceive a child can be stressful and frustrating, but a number of male infertility treatments are available.
Symptoms:
Inability to conceive a child is the main problem. But few signs and symptoms associated with male infertility are:
- Problems with sexual function
- Pain, swelling or a lump in the testicle area
- Abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia)
- Decreased facial or body hair or other signs of a chromosomal or hormonal abnormality
- Having a lower than normal sperm count
To get your partner pregnant is a complex process and the following must occur:
- You must produce healthy sperm.
- Sperm have to be carried into the semen
- There needs to be enough sperm in the semen.
- Sperm must be functional and able to move and should be able to reach or penetrate your partner's egg.
Medical Causes of Male Infertility
- Varicocele
- Infection
- Ejaculation issues
- Antibodies that attack sperm
- Pituitary gland tumors
- Undescended testicles
- Hormone imbalances
- Tubular defects that transport sperm
- Chromosome defects
- Problems with sexual intercourse
- Certain medications
- Prior surgeries
Environmental causes of Male Infertility
Overexposure to certain environmental elements such as heat, toxins and chemicals can reduce sperm production or sperm function.
Specific causes include:
- Industrial chemicals
- Heavy metal exposure
- Radiation or X-rays
- Overheating the testicles
Other causes of male infertility :
- Illicit drug use
- Alcohol use
- Tobacco smoking
- Emotional stress
- Obesity
Risk factors linked to male infertility include:
- Smoking
- Alcoholism
- Addiction to illicit drugs
- Obesity
- Being exposed to toxins
- Overheating the testicles
- Testicular trauma
- Prior major abdominal or pelvic surgery
- Past history of undescended testicles
- Few congenital abnormalities
- Few inherited disorders
Tests and diagnosis
When a couple is infertile, the man and woman are usually evaluated together. The evaluation in men usually begins with a complete physical examination, followed by a semen analysis. A sample of semen is collected in the hospital after an abstinence of 4 to 5 days. Usually, no further evaluation will be needed if the semen analysis is normal.
One or more additional samples of the semen analysis is done if the first semen analysis is abnormal. If more than one semen analysis is abnormal, a more complete and complex evaluation will be needed.
This may include scrotal ultrasound, Hormone testing, Post-ejaculation urinalysis, Genetic tests, Testicular biopsy, specialized sperm function tests, Transrectal ultrasound or even a testicular biopsy.
Treatments and drugs
Often, an exact cause of infertility can’t be identified. In cases of infertility, the female partner is also recommended to be checked. This can help to determine if she will require any specific treatments or if proceeding with assisted reproductive techniques is appropriate.
Treatments for male infertility depends on the cause. If a specific reason of infertility is identified it is easy to treat. Different options of treatment are available like hormonal therapy, surgery, treating the infections, treating the sexual intercourse problems depending on the underlying cause.
Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) are used if no specific cause is identified or no treatment options are available to correct the underlying problem. The choice of ART depends on the cause of the infertility and also on the female partner fertility problems if any.
When treatment doesn’t work or if there is no treatment option, then adopting a child is an awesome option.
Coping with infertility can be difficult. It’s an issue of the unknown — you can’t predict how long it will last or what the outcome will be. Infertility isn’t necessarily solved with hard work. The emotional burden on a couple is considerable, and plans for coping can help.
Prevention
Important points to remember to avoid male infertility are
- Don't smoke.
- Limit or abstain from alcohol.
- Steer clear of illicit drugs.
- Keep the weight off.
- Don't get a vasectomy.
- Avoid things that lead to prolonged heat for the testicles.
- Reduce stress.
- Avoid exposure to pesticides, heavy metals and other toxins.