Heads up
Becoming a father has never been considered a challenge. In today’s world, it is still difficult to accept that infertility affects both men and women equally
Male infertility is due to low sperm production, abnormal sperm function or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Illnesses, injuries, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices and other factors can play a role in causing male infertility.
Symptoms
The main sign of male infertility is the inability to conceive a child. There may be no other obvious signs or symptoms. In some cases, however, an underlying problem such as an inherited disorder, a hormonal imbalance, dilated veins around the testicle or a condition that blocks the passage of sperm causes signs and symptoms.
Although most men with male infertility do not notice symptoms other than the inability to conceive a child, signs and symptoms associated with male infertility include:
- Problems with sexual function — for example, difficulty with ejaculation or small volumes of fluid ejaculated, reduced sexual desire, or difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- Pain, swelling or a lump in the testicle area
- Recurrent respiratory infections
- Inability to smell
- Decreased facial or body hair or other signs of a chromosomal or hormonal abnormality
- A lower than normal sperm count (fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen or a total sperm count of less than 39 million per ejaculate)
- Changes in hair growth
- Changes in sexual desire
General causes
Male infertility is usually caused by problems that affect either sperm production or sperm transport. Through medical testing, the doctor may be able to find the cause of the problem. Male fertility is a complex process. To get your partner pregnant, the following must occur:
- You must produce healthy sperm. Initially, this involves the growth and formation of the male reproductive organs during puberty. At least one of your testicles must be functioning correctly, and your body must produce testosterone and other hormones to trigger and maintain sperm production.
- Sperm have to be carried into the semen. Once sperm are produced in the testicles, delicate tubes transport them until they mix with semen and are ejaculated out of the penis.
- There needs to be enough sperm in the semen. If the number of sperm in your semen (sperm count) is low, it decreases the odds that one of your sperm will fertilize your partner’s egg. A low sperm count is fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen or fewer than 39 million per ejaculate.
- Sperm must be functional and able to move. If the movement (motility) or function of your sperm is abnormal, the sperm may not be able to reach or penetrate your partner’s egg.
Common signs
- Changes in sexual desire – A man’s fertility is also linked with his hormone health. Changes in virility, often governed by hormones, could indicate issues with fertility.
- Testicle pain or swelling – There are several different conditions that could lead to pain or swelling in the testicles, many of which could contribute to infertility.
- Problems maintaining erection – A man’s ability to maintain an erection is often linked to his hormone levels. Reduced hormones may result, which could potentially translate into trouble conceiving.
- Issues with ejaculation – Similarly, an inability to ejaculate is a sign that it might be time to visit a doctor.
- Small, firm testicles – The testes house a man’s sperm, so testicle health is paramount to male fertility. Small or firm testicles could indicate potential issues that should be explored by a medical practitioner.
How Male Fertility Check-Ups Are Done
- During any fertility check-up, it is mandatory to investigate both partners.
- A male fertility assessment usually starts with a thorough medical history.
- A semen analysis that examines the count, motility and morphology of sperm in the ejaculate should be done in an IVF LAB (In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a complex series of procedures used to help with fertility or prevent genetic problems and assist with the conception of a child).
- During IVF mature eggs are collected (retrieved) from ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab.)
- If the results seems abnormal, it is repeated after a gap of 2 to 3 weeks.
- Semen analysis – (Semen analysis, also known as the sperm count test) is repeated after three months if the patient has been put on treatment.
- Couples struggling with infertility should make every effort to find the right help for both partners.
