Male infertility can be caused by low sperm production, abnormal sperm function or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Illnesses, injuries, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices and other factors may contribute to male infertility.
Nearly 1 in 7 couples is infertile, which means they haven't been able to conceive a child even though they've had frequent, unprotected sexual intercourse for a year or longer. Infertility isn't just a woman's problem. Men can be infertile too. In fact, men and women are equally likely to have fertility problems.
The "male factor" contributes to infertility around half the time, and about one third of the time, it's the main cause of infertility. Male fertility depends on your body making normal sperm and delivering them. So, the main sign of male infertility is the inability to conceive a child.
Causes
Male Infertility can be caused by a number of health issues and medical treatments such as sperm disorders, varicoceles, infections, erectile dysfunction, ejaculation issues, immunologic infertility, tumors, undescended
testicles, hormone imbalances, defects of tubules that transport sperm, chromosomal defects, problems with sexual intercourse, celiac disease, drug use, smoking or alcohol abuse, abnormal weight, certain medications, prior surgeries, and environmental elements such as heat, toxins and chemicals.
Diagnosis and Treatment
In order to diagnose male infertility, there are a number of methods, which include general physical examination, review of medical history, scrotal or transrectal ultrasound, hormone testing, post-ejaculation urinalysis, testicular biopsy and semen analysis.
Treatment for male infertility depends on what's causing the infertility. Surgery, treating the infections, treatments for sexual intercourse problems, hormone treatments and medications, and assisted reproductive technology (ARTs) such as IVF, IUI, GIFT and ICSI, all are used in the therapy process. In the rare cases where male fertility problems can't be treated, doctors suggest to consider the options of using either sperm donation, or child adoption.
Risk Factors
There are certain risk factors, that if not guarded against may lead to male infertility
Past inflammation of the prostate or past genital infectionsInjury (trauma) to or twisting (torsion) of the testiclesEarly or late pubertyExposure of the genitals to high temperaturesHernia repairWeight issuesDrug abuseOlder age (40 or above)Exposure to radiationMale infertility is not an untreatable condition. Proper and timely diagnosis, followed by a personalised treatment plan will help to cure most of the cases.
