Causes of male infertility These may include: Abnormal sperm production or function due to undescended testicles, genetic defects, health problems such as diabetes, or infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, mumps or HIV. Enlarged veins in the testes (varicocele) also can affect the quality of sperm.
Sperm and Semen Analysis
A trained expert checks your sperm count, their shape, movement, and other characteristics. In general, if you have a higher number of normal-shaped sperm, it means you have higher fertility.
Seeing a male infertility specialist
We start with a good conversation, a comprehensive physical exam, a semen analysis and blood tests. This often points the doctor in the right direction, allowing a specialized treatment plan to be made. Many times, the problem is correctable.
Signs and Symptoms of Infertility in Men
Problems obtaining and maintaining an erection. Trouble ejaculating – either no ejaculation or reduced volume of semen. Loss of libido or sexual desire / arousal. Pain or discomfort in the testicles or area surrounding the testicles.
Obesity, too much alcohol, and smoking cigarettes all negatively affect sperm count and overall sperm health. So does stress. In fact, stress can actually cause sperm abnormalities and lower sperm concentration.
Age and Male Fertility
Peak male fertility is around 25-29 years old. Sperm quality begins to decline at 30. At 45, men begin to experience a significant decrease in semen volume. Older men can also take longer to conceive a child.
Men do not have a 'fertile window' because sperm is continually formed and stored in the testicles, ready to be used at any time. Graphic 1 shows when pregnancy is most likely to happen in people having sexual intercourse without contraception.
Some types of vitamins, including vitamins D, C, E, and CoQ10, are important for sperm health. One study showed that taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C every day can help men's sperm concentration and mobility.
Medication can treat some issues that affect male fertility, including hormone imbalances and erectile dysfunction. Surgery can be effective for repairing blockages in the tubes that transport sperm. Surgery can also be used for repair of varicocele.
Not all male infertility is permanent or untreatable; it is not uncommon for men to treat infertility through one or a combination of actions.
Like female fertility, male fertility declines throughout adulthood, but experts suggest that a man's age doesn't have a significant effect on his fertility until he's in his 40s, because there's only about a 1–2% decrease in sperm motility/morphology per year.
Azoospermia means there's no sperm in a man's ejaculate. Its causes include a blockage along the reproductive tract, hormonal problems, ejaculation problems or issues with testicular structure or function. Many causes are treatable and fertility can be restored.
For men with normal sperm counts, studies find that semen volume and sperm count/concentration increase after two days of abstinence. However, sperm quality—the motility (movement) and morphology (shape) of sperm—decrease after two days of abstinence, with a significant impact seen after 7–10 days.
For a few months before you want to conceive, you can help keep your testicles cool by avoiding very hot baths or spas, not putting your laptop on your lap, and wearing loose-fitting underwear. If you are planning on a baby, check if you have any sexually transmitted infection (STIs), as they can lead to infertility.
Because of this technique, 90% of all infertile males have the potential to conceive their own genetic child. In vitro fertilization: For some couples dealing with male infertility, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the treatment of choice.
Ideally, the cause of the infertility is reversible and then conception can result from natural sex. Here are some common male infertility treatments. Varicoceles are repaired with surgery to block off the abnormal veins. This seems to result in a significant improvement in fertility, although some studies disagree.
Male fertility generally starts to reduce around age 40 to 45 years when sperm quality decreases. Increasing male age reduces the overall chances of pregnancy and increases time to pregnancy (the number of menstrual cycles it takes to become pregnant) and the risk of miscarriage and fetal death.
Thick semen usually results from a higher than normal concentration of sperm in a typical volume of semen, or from having a high number of sperm with an irregular shape (morphology). High sperm concentration often indicates that you're more likely to impregnate a female partner.
Vitamin C has been shown to increase sperm count, motility, and morphology. Men with low fertilization rates who took vitamin E supplements for three months showed a significant improvement in fertilization rate. Vitamin E supplementation in infertility men resulted in increased pregnancy rates.
Your doctor may prescribe an estrogen receptor blocker, such as clomiphene citrate, which stimulates the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain. This generates hormone production and the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which can increase sperm production.