Male infertility can be caused by
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. But there are plenty of exceptions to this. A lot of guys with low sperm counts or abnormal semen are still fertile.
Causes of male infertility
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.
Male infertility means a man is not able to start a pregnancy with his female partner. Male infertility can have many causes. You may not make enough sperm or healthy sperm. You may have a genetic problem like cystic fibrosis.
It appears some sperm fails to 'communicate' with the female reproductive tract and while a man can appear to be fertile, his semen can be rejected by a woman if it's not compatible with her. This is more likely to happen if a woman has not previously been exposed to his sperm over a period of time.
Researchers from Stockholm University and the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust found that the egg effectively chooses the sperm it wants, and rejects the others. "Human eggs release chemicals called chemoattractants that attract sperm to unfertilised eggs.
The cervical entrance (os) is not only very small, but it is blocked by cervical mucus. During most times in the menstrual cycle, cervical mucus is highly sticky (G mucus) and represents an almost impenetrable barrier to sperm penetration.
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.
excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and using drugs such as marijuana or cocaine. certain medications, including testosterone replacement therapy, long-term anabolic steroid use, cancer medications (chemotherapy), some antibiotics and some antidepressants. being overweight or obese.
ARTs have made conception possible even for men with very low or abnormal sperm. First, sperm are collected either from ejaculated semen or by a needle from the testicle. They are then processed and introduced to eggs by different methods. Intrauterine insemination (IUI.)
Men start losing their fertility at age 40.
In a study of more than 1,900 couples, irrespective of the woman's age, IVF attempts involving men 40 or older failed 70 percent more often than IVF attempts involving men younger than 30. Previous theory: Older men produce fewer kids because they get less sex.
There is no way for either of the partners to know if the sperm entered the egg. The only way to know for sure if the sperm did enter the egg is after a positive pregnancy test.
While there are some situations in which male infertility can be reversed with medication or surgery, in most cases, assisted reproductive technology (ART; for example, in vitro fertilization or "IVF") is the recommended approach. (See 'Assisted reproductive technologies' below.)
Yes, low sperm count is curable.
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.
Having your semen tested by a lab is the best way to know whether you're fertile. This type of test is called a lab semen analysis. A lab semen analysis checks: Semen volume.
While there is no definite age at which male ejaculation ceases, it has been suggested that it may happen when a man reaches his late 40s or early 50s. It is important to note, however, that this is not a universal rule and some men may continue to ejaculate at a later age.
Some studies suggest that moderate ejaculation (2–4 times per week) is associated with a lower prostate cancer risk. However, ejaculating more often doesn't mean your cancer risk drops even more.
Have sex regularly. The highest pregnancy rates occur in couples who have sex every day or every other day. Have sex near the time of ovulation. If having sex every day isn't possible — or enjoyable — have sex every 2 to 3 days a week starting soon after the end of your period.
Ideally, you need to have sex no more than five days before ovulation in order for fertilization to occur. You can boost your chances of fertilization by tracking your cycle and having sex as close to ovulation as possible.