Male Infertility - Causes and Treatment

Infertility is defined as a couple's inability to become pregnant after one year of regular, unprotected sex. Male infertility means the male is unable to impregnate the female because of male factors. Learn what the causes of male infertility are and discover if you can resolve your male infertility issues with your doctor.

What is going on in the body?

The inability to get pregnant may be caused by conditions in either partner. It is estimated that 30% of infertility is caused by male factors. An additional 30% is caused by female factors. The remaining 40% is caused by a combination of female and male factors. Male infertility may be caused by many diseases, conditions, and other factors. Situations that raise the temperature in the testicles can interfere with normal sperm production.

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

Male infertility occurs when the man's partner does not conceive after one year of attempting to become pregnant. Other signs and symptoms depend on the underlying cause of the man's infertility.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

There are many male factors that can make a couple unable to become pregnant. These may include conditions such as the following –

• diabetic neuropathy, in which nerve damage causes problems with erection or ejaculation
• extreme obesity hormone imbalances, such as hypothyroidism
• hypogonadism, a condition in which the testes fail to develop normally
• inherited conditions that impair the ability to produce sperm, such as Down syndrome
• testicular torsion, a condition in which the blood supply to the testicle is cut off
• undescended testicles, a condition in which the testes fail to drop into the scrotum
• varicocele, a group of enlarged veins inside the scrotum

Diseases also can be a factor in infertility, for example

• autoimmune disorders, which can cause the body to produce antibodies that attack sperm
• liver disease
• sickle cell anemia
• kidney disease
• genital infections such as gonorrhea and genital herpes
• infections of the reproductive organs, such as prostatitis and epididymitis
• infectious diseases, including mumps

Additional factors in infertility include the following

• certain medications, such as cimetidine and phenytoin
• certain supplements, such as anabolic steroids
• chemotherapy used for cancer
• diet low in folic acid or low in lycopene, which is found in plants such as tomatoes
• excessive exercise, which lowers testosterone levels and decreases sperm production
• exposure to diethylstilbestrol, also known as DES, as an infant in utero
• exposure to toxins such as lead, mercury, or pesticides
• frequent hot baths or use of hot tubs
• injury to the testicles
• low sperm count, poor sperm quality, and poor movement of sperm
• radiation therapy
• recreational drugs, such as alcohol, methadone, and marijuana
• sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation
• side effects of treatments for testicular cancer or prostate cancer
• surgery of the reproductive system, such as transurethral resection of the prostate
• vasectomy, a surgical procedure to tie off the sperm-carrying tubes
• wearing tight-fitting pants and underwear
• work that requires prolonged sitting, which increases the temperature in the scrotum

A recent study has found that baby boys who wear diapers lined with plastic have significantly higher temperatures inside the testicles. The researchers suggest that disposable diapers may have contributed to the increase in male infertility over the past 25 years.

What are the treatments for the condition

Treatment of male infertility focuses on the underlying cause. Without treatment, 15% to 20% of infertile couples will eventually get pregnant. Treatment for a male with infertility may include –

• avoiding extended periods of time in hot baths and hot tubs
• eating a healthy diet and exercising in moderation
• having a varicocele surgically repaired
• having vasectomy reversal surgery, which reconnects the tubes carrying sperm from the testes
• learning about the best times to conceive
• making lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation and limiting intake of alcohol
• taking antibiotics for any diagnosed infection
• taking hormone therapy
• treating erectile dysfunction with counseling, medication, or surgery
• wearing loose-fitting underwear, such as boxer shorts

If these treatments don't work, other means of fertilization may be considered, such as -

• Artificial insemination. This involves placing sperm directly in the cervix or uterus.
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection. This involves placing individual sperm cells directly inside the woman's eggs.
• In vitro fertilization. This involves fertilizing the egg outside the womb and then returning it to the uterus.

India is a good option for treatment of male infertility problems. The treatment of various Male infertility problems and other fertilization means in India is available at an affordable price with the same medical standard that one will find in the West.