Male infertility is a condition where a male is not able to make a woman pregnant after trying naturally many times. 40-50% of infertility issues can be caused by male infertility. That can be due to many underlying conditions such as hormonal imbalance, genetic disorder, lifestyle factors, or medical conditions such as low sperm production, erectile dysfunction, low sexual desire, poor sperm motility, abnormal sperm shape (morphology), or any blockage in the passage that prevents the delivery of sperm. Some lifestyle factors affect sperm quality, such as smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, poor diet, obesity, exposure to environmental toxins, etc. Many of these issues can be diagnosed and even if they don’t have any medical treatment, males dealing with these problems can still become parents through IVF, IUI, or ICSI. Diagnosis of these issues includes thorough medical history, physical examination, and semen analysis which helps in evaluating the sperm count, motility, and morphology.
What are the Causes of Male Infertility?
Several factors can affect fertility and sperm motility in men. Below are some of the reasons:
- Low sperm count, motility, or shape
- Injury to testicles
- Sexual disorders
- Variocele (enlargement of veins in the scrotum)
- Chronic health conditions (eg. Diabetes, Hypertension, etc)
- Previous infection
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Genetic factors
- Stress
- Environmental factors
Some of these causes show symptoms while others don’t. Hence it is necessary to undergo a checkup at Ganga Laxmi so that any serious issue can get quick medical intervention. Early evaluation will not only diagnose a problem but will also save you from future parenthood problems. Individuals can consult a male infertility specialist or an Andrologist regarding a proper diagnosis and further treatment for male infertility.
Symptoms of Male Infertility
Some causes of male infertility can be symptomatic and others can go unnoticed, Both forms of causes can affect male fertility badly. Individuals mustn’t ignore these symptoms and get them checked by the best Infertility center in Lucknow. The most common male infertility symptoms are ejaculation disorders which result in premature ejaculation or low semen volume. Other signs of male infertility are mentioned below;
Erectile Dysfunction:
It is a common sign of male infertility where the male partner faces difficulty in maintaining an erection during sexual intercourse. This may be due to neurological and psychological disorders.
Pain or Swelling in the Testicles:
Pain and swelling can indicate a variety of issues which include infections, testicular torsion, or varicocele.
Decreased Facial or Body Hair:
This can also be one of the signs of hormonal balance affecting infertility.
Low Sperm Count:
This is a condition where fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. This can be discovered during a fertility evaluation.
Abnormal Sperm Morphology or Motility:
This is a condition where sperm do not move properly and face difficulty in reaching and fertilizing an egg.
Chronic Respiratory Infections:
Sperm production or delivery can be affected by cystic fibrosis.
Gynecomastia:
Here the male breasts get enlarged due to hormonal imbalance which somewhere affects fertility.
Changes in Libido:
A decrease in sexual desire may be linked to fertility issues.
Small and Firm Testicles:
Some men have abnormally small or firm testicles that can indicate underlying conditions that affect fertility.
Kallman’s Disease:
It’s a genetic disorder that leads to delay or absence of puberty in affected individuals.
How can Male Infertility be Diagnosed?
Male fertility can be diagnosed with various techniques and they can experience parenthood, even if their infertility cannot be diagnosed. It’s not that male infertility is the only cause of not being able to conceive a child, female partners can also have fertility issues. Hence it is essential to get your fertility status checked from Ganga Laxmi IVF. These checkups include several tests which are given below:
Semen Analysis:
The very first test includes checking the quality of the semen and sperm. Motility and structural abnormalities are also identified with these tests. It is possible that sperm count may fluctuate during tests taken at different times. Hence multiple tests are prescribed by the doctors to check the proper counts.
Hormone Testing:
Although hormonal tests are more common in females sometimes males must take hormonal tests as it can also affect male fertility. The elevation or reduction of different hormones also directly contributes to male infertility causes.
Scrotal Ultrasound:
The ultrasound is used in males having infertility. In this test, high-frequency sound waves are used to image the scrotum to check for varicocele or other structural problems in the testicles.
Transrectal Ultrasound:
An ultrasound examination utilizes sound waves to create images of the prostate and other ducts that transport semen. This examination requires the use of a specialized ultrasound probe that is inserted into the rectum for imaging purposes.
Post-ejaculation Urinalysis:
This test helps to check the sperm in the urine. The detection of the same in the urine means that the sperms are not traveling on the right path but are traveling backward towards the bladder instead of the penis which is also known as retrograde ejaculation.
Genetic Test:
This involves testing the genes of the male because in some cases embryo gets affected by genetic disorders. Absent and very low sperm count can be caused due to genetic disorders. Certain genes in the male individual’s body are responsible for the formation of and function of sperm and any change or mutation. There are various types of genetic testing available such as karyotype or Y-chromosome microdeletion may be advised to detect such severe conditions.
What are the Treatments Available for Male Infertility?
Although male infertility is less common as compared to female infertility, still there are various treatments available for male infertility. Treatment of male infertility is dependent upon the cause of infertility, whether it is hormonal, genetic, or psychological. Below are some of the treatments that are commonly suggested by doctors.
Treatment for Sexual Disorders:
There are treatments available for treating sexual disorders. Various disorders such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation can be treated with the proper medication.
Treatment for Infections:
Infertility can be caused by infection in the reproductive area or any particular part of the reproductive system. To treat this infection antibiotics are prescribed to the patients.
Hormone Treatment and Medication:
Hormone imbalance in men causes elevation or reduction in the level of certain hormones that are essential for reproduction and pregnancy. Fertility specialists may prescribe certain hormone treatments which can help restore fertility.
Surgery:
Varicoceles and obstructive vas deferens are some of the conditions where patients need to undergo surgery. Vasectomis done previously can also be reversed and in many cases absence of sperm in semen can be countered by extracting sperm directly from the tests or epididymis.
Assisted Reproductive Technology:
ART procedure includes, in vitro fertilization (IVF), Intrauterine insemination (IUI), and Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). With the help of these technologies, any infertile man can enjoy parenthood and can become a father. If you are facing any issue that is stopping you from starting your parenthood journey then you can consider Gnaga Laxmi IVF to fulfill the dream of having a child.