What Are The Causes Of Male Infertility?

In general, infertility in a male means the lack of ability to make his partner conceive even after unprotected sex. So, if you have been trying to become a father for a year or longer, you should consider getting a fertility evaluation. Studies show that male infertility affects nearly 4-12% of men globally.

Infertility not only affects men but women as well. Male infertility refers to the condition of the male reproductive system. There are various causes of male infertility. The good news is that an infertile man can often regain fertility with treatment, lifestyle changes, proper diet, etc.

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What Is Male Infertility?

Male infertility refers to the incapability of a man to make her female partner pregnant. It is usually due to reduction in sperm production, irregular sperms, or blockages in the male reproductive tract. These are the key factors that affect the proper delivery of sperm and leads to infertility.

The symptoms of male infertility comprise illnesses, chronic health issues, body aches, etc. Moreover, this incapability to conceive a child can turn out to be very traumatic and annoying for both partners.

What Are the Causes of Male Infertility?

There are various causes that lead to male infertility. It can be either due to unhealthy sperms, hormonal imbalance, genetic issues such as cystic fibrosis, or reproductive tract blockage. Following are the reasons that can cause male infertility:

Age: The belief that men have complete potential to reproduce even at higher age is not correct. This is because after 35 years, the reproductive capability of men reduces due to decline in testosterone levels. After 40 years of age, reproducing ability diminishes further, and probability of fathering a baby drops significantly.
Obesity: A Body Mass Index (BMI) exceeding 30 can influence sperm quality. Fat accumulation adversely affects the metabolism of reproductive androgens, causing sperm quality issues. As a result, it will cause substantial variations in sperm DNA, thereby hampering sperm development.
Smoking and Alcohol: Smoking can cause an adverse effect on sperms due to oxidative stress. As a result, sperm quality and fertilising capability often gets affected. Secondly, alcohol consumption causes fertility problems in male by affecting sperm count, nature, and quality. Apart from this, drugs also disrupt sperm development, thereby leading to infertility.
Infections: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) has a severe impact on male fertility. It comprises gonorrhea, syphilis, Chlamydia, etc. These diseases reduce sperm quality and prevent fertility, leading to genital inflammation. If you are suffering from this type of infection, it must be treated immediately.
Genital Injuries: One of the major causes of male infertility is damage to the male reproductive organs. Especially men taking part in sports like martial arts and horse riding must pay additional attention to protect these sensitive organs. In case of any injury, they need to undergo treatment quickly.
Radiation: Although there are some questions in scientific studies about whether the influence of mobile phone radiation can affect male infertility or not, it is true. Men should keep cell phones away from their testicles to lessen the risk. Any small mistake can cause radiation effects on your body, thereby causing harm to your ability to make your partner conceive.

What Are The Symptoms Of Male Infertility?

After going through the causes of male infertility, let's take a look at the symptoms they are likely to face. Following are the symptoms of male infertility:

Problems with sexual functioning, such as ejaculation difficulty, low libido, erectile dysfunction, etc.
Pain or swelling in the testicles
Recurring respiratory infections
Gynecomastia or breast growth in males
Chromosomal or hormonal issue symptoms like reduced hair growth
Low sperm count

How Is Male Infertility Evaluated and Diagnosed?

At first, the diagnosis involves a detailed physical examination in order to assess your health condition. This is to identify those physical issues that can affect your fertility. Moreover, your doctor can ask you questions regarding sexual behaviours. If there is no such evidence on your incapability to conceive, then your doctor will perform a test to identify the actual cause. The steps involved during the diagnosis of male infertility are:

Step 1: Scrotal ultrasound

Step 2: Transrectal ultrasound scan (TRUS)

Step 3: Hormone testing

Step 4: Post-ejaculation urinalysis

Step 5: Genetic tests

Step 6: Testicular biopsy

Step 7: Sperm function tests

How Common Is Male Infertility?

Male infertility is widespread. As per estimation, about 5 million couples in the US experience infertility issues. Another statistic shows that infertility is experienced by one out of six couples who struggle to become parents. At least 50% of these infertility problems are related to a male factor.

Which Males Are More Likely To Have Infertility?

Following are the men who are most likely to suffer from infertility:

Overweight men
Those aged 40 years or above
Males with long-term exposure to toxins
Men with an addiction of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs
Men taking medicines such as bicalutamide, cimetidine, cyproterone, flutamide, ketoconazole, spironolactone etc.

When to See a Doctor for the Treatment?

If you cannot make your partner pregnant even after unprotected sex, you might be suffering from infertility issues. This is when you should see a doctor for necessary checkups and treatment.

Male infertility is quite common. Any disease of the male reproductive system can result in male infertility. Consulting a doctor is the best choice to diagnose the causes of male infertility and get a possible solution to get rid of infertility.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can the use of steroids for body building cause infertility in men?

Yes. Since steroids are consumed either through mouth or injection, it can prevent the hormone generation required for sperm production.

Is there a possible chance of restoring fertility in men?

Yes. Even if you are suffering from infertility problems, it does not mean you will never be able to conceive. Various treatment options and assisted reproductive techniques are available by which you will be able to enhance your chances of conception.

Which healthcare providers diagnose male infertility?

Your doctor may refer you to a reproductive endocrinologist or an urologist who has expertise in the field of male infertility.