What Causes Male Infertility and How Is It Treated?

 

What Causes Male Infertility and How Is It Treated?

Male infertility is a condition that impacts millions of men and their partners. In fact, roughly one out of every 20 men has fertility issues that contribute to their inability to conceive a child.

The good news is that the majority of male infertility cases are treatable with the help of a reproductive endocrinologist (REI), or a specialist who focuses on treating infertility. Learning more about what causes male infertility can help you better understand your options for treatment.

What causes male infertility?

There are several possible causes of male infertility, including:

Low sperm count: This is the most common cause of male infertility. Sperm counts below 20 million per milliliter are considered low. About 15% of men have a low sperm count, which can be genetic or caused by environmental factors such as exposure to toxins or drug use and alcohol abuse.

Poor sperm motility: To fertilize an egg, sperm must move through the female reproductive tract quickly and accurately. Roughly 40% of infertile men have poor sperm motility, which means that the sperm do not move properly and cannot effectively reach the egg for fertilization to occur.

Abnormal sperm size and shape: Abnormalities in the size and shape of sperm can make it difficult for them to successfully.

Treatment of male Infertility

Male infertility doctors diagnose and treat problems with a man's reproductive system that can cause him to be infertile. Male infertility is the cause of infertility in about 30 percent of couples who haven't been able to conceive after one year of trying.

Male infertility occurs when sperm can't get to the egg (travel through the female reproductive system) or when sperm aren't healthy enough to fertilize the egg once they reach it. Male infertility can also be caused by a condition or disease that affects semen quality, such as varicocele or poor semen quality, which can lead to low sperm count.

Infertility in men can also be caused by problems with sperm production, delivery and function. The diagnosis of the cause of male infertility starts with a detailed medical history and a physical exam and may include:

Semen analysis (testing):- If a semen analysis shows signs of male infertility, your doctor may suggest other tests to find out if you have an inherited disorder, a hormonal imbalance or an obstruction.

Blood tests:- These measure hormone levels in both men and women. Abnormal levels may mean an underlying problem that needs treatment.

Testicular biopsy (testosterone testing):- This test is used infrequently but may be appropriate if there's severe oligospermia.

Hormone testing:- Abnormal levels of certain hormones may cause signs and symptoms of infertility or problems with sexual function. Testing is especially important if you or your partner have signs of hormonal problems, such as changes in hair growth or sexual development.

Imaging studies:- Imaging tests might be used to view a man's internal reproductive organs to help determine why he's infertile. These imaging tests might include an ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Conclusion

Male infertility is certainly a complex issue, but it is also something that's slowly gaining more attention within the medical community. Thankfully, we are currently on the cusp of some exciting new treatments in this area, such as gene therapy and stem cell therapy. These treatments should further illuminate the exact causes of male infertility while also providing new avenues to treat male infertility. As always, men of reproductive age would be well advised to discuss with their doctor any concerns they may have about male infertility or any other reproductive concerns that they may have.

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