Male Infertility Cause & Treatment
Causes of Male Infertility
Male infertility is a condition that affects the ability of a man to father a child. It can be caused by various factors, such as problems with sperm production, sperm function, sperm delivery, or hormonal balance. Some of the common causes of male infertility are:
Sperm disorders: This refers to any abnormality in the number, shape, or movement of sperm. Sperm disorders can be caused by genetic defects, infections, varicoceles, exposure to toxins, or lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol, or drugs.
Varicoceles: These are swollen veins in the scrotum that can impair the cooling of the testicles and affect sperm quality. Varicoceles are present in about 15% of men and in 40% of men with infertility.
Retrograde ejaculation: This is a condition where semen flows backward into the bladder instead of out of the penis during ejaculation. Retrograde ejaculation can be caused by diabetes, spinal cord injury, surgery, or medication.
Immunologic infertility: This is a condition where the immune system produces antibodies that attack the sperm and reduce their ability to fertilize an egg. Immunologic infertility can be triggered by infection, injury, or vasectomy.
Obstruction: This is a condition where there is a blockage or absence of the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis. Obstruction can be caused by congenital defects, infection, inflammation, or surgery.
Hormones: Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate the production and function of sperm. Hormonal imbalances can be caused by disorders of the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal gland, or testicles.
Medication: Some medications can affect sperm quality or quantity, such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, antipsychotics, chemotherapy, or steroids.
Male infertility can be diagnosed by a physical examination, medical history, semen analysis, blood tests, or imaging tests. Depending on the cause and severity of the condition, male infertility can be treated by medication, surgery, assisted reproductive techniques, or lifestyle changes.
How is Male Infertility Diagnosed?
Diagnosing male infertility involves several steps to identify potential causes. These include:
General Physical Examination and Medical History: Your doctor examines your genitals and asks about inherited conditions, chronic health problems, illnesses, injuries, or surgeries that could affect fertility.
Semen Analysis: Semen samples are collected either by masturbation or using a special condom during intercourse. The lab analyzes sperm count, shape (morphology), movement (motility), and checks for infections. Multiple tests over time ensure accurate results.
Scrotal Ultrasound: High-frequency sound waves create images of the testicles and supporting structures. Detects issues like varicoceles (swollen veins) or other abnormalities.
Transrectal Ultrasound: A lubricated wand inserted into the rectum allows visualization of the prostate and checks for blockages in semen-carrying tubes.
Hormone Testing: Measures testosterone and other hormones produced by the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and testicles. Abnormalities in hormonal systems may contribute to infertility.
Post-Ejaculation Urinalysis: Detects retrograde ejaculation (sperm traveling backward into the bladder instead of out the penis).
Genetic Tests: For extremely low sperm concentration, blood tests reveal Y chromosome changes or genetic abnormalities.
Different methods of Male Infertility treatment
Depending on the cause and severity of the condition, male infertility can be treated by different methods, such as:
Medication: Some medicines can help improve sperm quality or quantity, stimulate ovulation in women, or treat underlying conditions that affect fertility, such as infections, hormonal imbalances, or erectile dysfunction. Some examples of medicines used for male infertility are clomiphene, tamoxifen, metformin, gonadotrophins, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, and dopamine agonists.
Surgery: Some surgical procedures can help correct or repair anatomic abnormalities or damage to the reproductive organs, such as varicoceles, endometriosis, fibroids, PCOS, or obstruction of the seminal ducts. Surgery can also be used to retrieve sperm from the testicles or the epididymis if there is a problem with ejaculation or sperm production.
Assisted reproductive techniques (ART): These are medical procedures that involve manipulating the sperm, the egg, or the embryo outside the body to increase the chance of conception. Some examples of ART are intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and testicular sperm extraction (TESE).
Third-party assistance: This is when a couple uses a third party to donate sperm or eggs or carry a pregnancy. This can be an option if the male partner has no sperm, low-quality sperm, or a genetic disorder that can be passed on to the offspring. Some examples of third-party assistance are sperm donation, egg donation, surrogacy, and adoption.
The choice of treatment for male infertility depends on the individual situation, the preferences of the couple, the availability of the services, and the cost of the treatment. A doctor can advise on the best option for each case and provide information on the benefits, risks, and success rates of each treatment.
