What Causes Infertility In Men?

Many people underestimate the prevalence of male infertility, but the truth is that it is more common than we realize. The road to conception can be full of obstacles and various factors come into play. However, couples facing challenges due to male infertility should not lose hope as there are solutions readily available to help them achieve their dream of starting a family. This article discusses the common causes and available treatments for male infertility. You can find your nearest IVF centre or fertility expert by googling the term. For example, if you live in Mumbai, search for the best IVF centre in Mumbai.

What is Male Infertility?

Male infertility refers to any issue with a man's reproductive system that prevents him from successfully impregnating his partner. Typically, if a couple has unprotected intercourse for over a year without conception, it suggests potential infertility problems in one or both partners.

Male infertility means you might have trouble getting a partner pregnant. This isn't just a physical challenge; it can weigh heavily on your emotions, too. You might feel sadness, grief, a sense of inadequacy, or even like you've failed. The emotional weight often puts conceiving at the top of a couple's list of priorities.

If these emotions become too much for you, consider reaching out to professionals, like therapists or psychiatrists, who have experience with infertility issues. They can offer you guidance, understanding, and support as you go through treatment and deal with the emotional side of infertility.

Understanding Conception

For a pregnancy to happen or be a success, the following points need to be remembered:

Production of viable sperm by the male and healthy eggs by the female.
Unblocked fallopian tubes that permit sperm to reach the egg.
Successful fertilization of the egg by sperm.
The fertilized egg implanting in the uterus.
A healthy embryo and optimal hormonal environment for its development.

Any disruption in these steps can result in infertility.

Risk Factors for Male Infertility

Certain males are at a higher risk for infertility, particularly if they:

Are overweight or obese.
Are aged 40 or above.
Have been exposed to radiation or environmental toxins such as lead or pesticides.
Consume tobacco, marijuana, or alcohol.
Use specific medications or undergo testosterone treatments.
Have been exposed to consistent testicular heat, as with frequent sauna or hot tub use.
Have a history of medical conditions like undescended testicles or varicoceles.

Various Causes of Male Infertility

There are various factors, both biological and environmental, that can affect fertility. Some potential factors include:

Medical Factors:

Varicocele: Swollen veins in the testicle, often a reversible cause of infertility. It might affect sperm count and quality.
Infections: Some can disrupt sperm production or cause scarring blocking sperm flow. Examples include epididymitis, orchitis, gonorrhoea, and HIV.
Ejaculation Issues: For example, retrograde ejaculation, where semen goes into the bladder during orgasm.
Anti-Sperm Antibodies: Immune cells that wrongly target and destroy sperm.
Tumors: Both cancerous and benign can affect the reproductive organs or related hormones.
Undescended Testicles: A condition where testicles don't descend to the scrotum before birth.
Hormonal Imbalances: Issues in the testicles or other hormone-producing organs can cause infertility.
Tubal Transport Issues: Blockages in the tubes that carry sperm due to surgery, trauma, or conditions like cystic fibrosis.
Chromosome Problems: Disorders like Klinefelter's syndrome affect reproductive organ development.
Sexual Performance Issues: Problems like erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or anatomical abnormalities.
Celiac Disease: This digestive disorder may affect male fertility but can improve with a gluten-free diet.
Certain Medications: Some drugs, including steroids and chemotherapy, can reduce fertility.
Past Surgeries: Procedures like vasectomy, scrotal surgeries, or prostate surgeries might prevent sperm in the ejaculate.

Environmental Factors:

Chemical Exposure: Prolonged contact with certain industrial chemicals, pesticides, or solvents might decrease sperm counts.
Heavy Metals: Lead exposure, for instance, can be harmful.
Radiation: Can temporarily or permanently reduce sperm production.
Testicle Overheating: Prolonged sitting, tight clothing, or frequent use of saunas might raise testicle temperature, potentially affecting sperm production.

Lifestyle and Other Factors:

Drugs: Steroids can shrink testicles and reduce sperm production. Cocaine and marijuana might also affect sperm quality.
Alcohol: Can lower testosterone, lead to erectile dysfunction, and reduce sperm production.
Smoking: This may result in a lower sperm count.
Weight: Being overweight can affect sperm and cause hormonal changes, reducing fertility.

Male Infertility Treatment Options

If you're dealing with male infertility, there are a range of treatments available today that can help.

Lifestyle Adjustments:
Aim for a healthy body weight.
Quit smoking.
Avoid alcohol.
Don't use marijuana or other recreational drugs.

Surgical Procedures:

Vasectomy reversal: If you've had a vasectomy, a surgeon can undo it. They reconnect the tube (vas deferens) in your scrotum that your sperm travels through.
Vasoepididymostomy: If there are blockages in your vas deferens, a surgeon can fix it by reconnecting the tube ends. If the blockage is in another area (like the epididymis, where sperm matures), they can bypass it.
Sperm Retrieval: In extreme cases, doctors might need to take a sample directly from the testicle to get sperm.

Advanced Fertility Techniques:
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): Here, a single sperm is directly injected into an egg. This powerful method means that nearly all men struggling with infertility have a chance to father a biological child.
In vitro fertilization (IVF): If you're considering IVF, here's how it works: The ovaries are stimulated to produce multiple eggs. These eggs are then collected and fertilized by exposing them to sperm or by directly injecting sperm into each egg (using ICSI). After a few days of monitoring the fertilized eggs, a few embryos are placed directly into the uterus. This increases the chance of a successful pregnancy.

Wrapping Up!

Male infertility, while common, is often surrounded by misconceptions and emotional challenges. Understanding its causes and risk factors is essential for both prevention and treatment. With advancements in medical technology and a better grasp of reproductive health, many men have found solutions to their infertility issues. If you or someone you know is facing this challenge, remember that you're not alone.