The main signs of infertility in males are the delay in pregnancy although there is regular intimacy in the absence of a female factor that could be causing the infertility and the inability to be intimate with the spouse although turned on. Statistics indicate that about two thirds of the infertility rate in men is caused by low quality sperm in terms of numbers of spermatozoa per ml sperm, motility (movement) and morphology (spermatozoa shape) or the absence of spermatozoa all together.
What are the signs of infertility in males?
- Lack of sexual lust: Men experience a decrease in libido and do not feel the urge to be intimate with their partner
- Erection problem: A man can’t keep an erection long enough for satisfactory intercourse or can’t have an erection altogether.
- Bulges in testicles: Or as some men call it “the sensation the scrotum is a bag filled of worms”. Sometimes on top of this sensation there is a feeling of tingling or pain in the groin area
- Delayed pregnancy: This is the most prominent symptom of infertility in men which is defined as the absence of pregnancy while there is regular intercourse, and the female has adding factors of infertility.
What causes male infertility?
Male infertility is one of the most psychologically difficult situations for men to face they find it hard to seek help and address the problem. About two-thirds of infertile men suffer from infertility due to the following;
Sperm problems
Infertility in men in most cases is due to a problem in sperm production in the form of, spermatozoa numbers, movement or shape as an underlying factor. A reduced sperm production can be caused by a problem in its producing cells, testosterone levels or a blockage in one of the ducts where sperm gathers and is led to the urethra.
Varicocele
Sperm counts can decrease and sometimes a total halt of sperm production occurs if a man has a varicocele also called “testicular varicose veins”.
The goal of these veins is to maintain the right testicular temperature and lead deoxygenated blood away back to the body. A disturbance of this equilibrium could affect fertility negatively.
Nutrition affects men’s fertility
Many believe that food, fluids and nutrition in general have nothing to do with fertility and reproductive opportunities the truth however is on the contrary! Excessive caffeine intake for example negatively affects male fertility. Key to increase male fertility is to focus on a healthy diet, rich in antioxidants which are found in fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water and reduce red meat intake.
Testosterone hormone imbalance
The lack of testosterone in men strongly affects fertility and leads to sperm problems.
Smoking
Smoking plays an important role in male infertility; In a direct pathway it negatively affects sperm production, indirectly due to causing or aggravating already existent health issues it also reduces sperm production and decreases its quality.
Hormonal disorders
A deficiency in testosterone levels, responsible for specific male traits and libido in men as well as genital development and growth could decrease fertility and sperm production. The production of testosterone is part of a hormonal circuit a disturbance in any of its hormones like FSH and LH effect testosterone production.
Stress and psychological state of mind
Male infertility can be caused by a negative psychological and mental state of mind this decreases libido, testosterone production and can cause erectile dysfunction which on its own is a factor for infertility.
Treatment of male infertility
Practicing a healthy lifestyle can boost male fertility! Avoid the above-mentioned factors that can negatively affect it. If pregnancy does not occur after a year of regular and unprotected intercourse, it may be necessary to visit your fertility specialist for an assessment and examination after which he/she can determine the right approach for treatment.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to treat male infertility in case of testicular infection or a general infection in the body that affects general health and indirectly sperm production or quality.
Hormonal treatments
If there is a deficiency in your hormone pathways or your testosterone production leading to infertility your doctor will prescribe hormonal replacement treatment.
Surgical procedures
In the presence of varicocele, or a blockage in ducts that lead to sperm not reaching the urethra your doctor might do a surgical intervention.
Your doctor will also recommend maintaining a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI), diet, lifestyle and maybe take supplements that might help increase sperm count.
Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI)
An IUI can be used to increase a male’s fertility chances when the sperm analysis is suboptimum, but numbers, movement and form are close to the minimum WHO requirements for a healthy sperm sample. The sample is washed, and an activating liquid added. The sample via a catheter inserted in the female uterine cavity at time of ovulation and injected.
Testicular biopsy
An important surgery that improves fertility in men where there are no spermatozoa or the spermatozoa that are found in sperm are severely low in numbers and of bad quality is a testicular biopsy.
Studies have shown that the percentage of successful Assisted Reproductive procedures (IVF/ICSI) done with a testicular biopsy in case of no sperm or extremely bad sperm quality in ejaculation fluid is high! and sperm can be frozen to repeat such cycles.
1- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
An IVF procedure is used in some cases to treat male infertility. The female partner under strict monitoring is given medication to stimulate ovulation and when the oocytes (eggs) have reached the right amount and size they are retrieved under sedation and put together with semen obtained from the male partner (by biopsy or ejaculation) in a test tube to allow fertilization. The embryos that form after fertilization are then put in the female uterus. 14 days after this Embryo Transfer (ET) a pregnancy test is done
2- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
ICSI is another Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)procedure that can be used to treat male infertility by injecting male sperm (obtained from a biopsy or ejaculation) under a microscope in the oocytes of the female partner. These oocytes are obtained in the same way as mentioned in the IVF. procedure. The embryos that are formed after injecting the oocytes under a microscope are transferred to the uterus and a pregnancy test is done 14 days after the ET.
