Infertility is a common concern and may be caused in both male and female individuals. Male infertility is a condition where a man is unable to impregnate a female due to an inability of their reproductive system. For someone with this condition, a man is unable to get their partner pregnant even after multiple attempts of unprotected sexual intercourse. This condition can take a toll on the mental and emotional well-being of the couple.
The number of male infertility cases is rising rapidly in India. Fortunately, multiple treatment options are available to treat them. Depending on the cause of your problem, the doctor will suggest a suitable treatment.
What are the Causes of Male Infertility?
Sperm Disorders
Sperm disorders are the most common cause of male infertility. Some men are born with sperm problems, whereas others develop due to unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as taking certain drugs, smoking, and drinking. It is a condition when the sperm is not grown fully, is oddly shaped, or is not moving in the right way.
Other reasons, such as long-term sickness, childhood infections, and chromosome or hormonal problems, may also lead to sperm disorder or lower the number of sperm produced.
Varicoceles
Varicoceles are a condition characterized by swollen veins in the scrotum. It is a common condition in infertile men and harms the growth of sperm by blocking proper blood damage.
In some cases, varicoceles may cause blood to flow back into the scrotum from the belly. This makes the testicles too warm to create sperm, leading to lowered numbers and infertility.
Retrograde Ejaculation
Retrograde ejaculation is a condition in which the semen goes backward in the body. Instead of the penis, it travels back into the bladder. This condition is caused when the nerves and muscles in the bladder do not close during climax. The semen may have normal sperm, but it doesn’t come out of the penis, and hence fails to reach the vagina.
Retrograde ejaculation may be a result of the surgery. In some cases, it may also be caused by drugs or health problems of the nervous system. Some common signs you may have this condition include less fluid or cloudy urine.
Immunologic Infertility
Sometimes, the male body starts producing antibodies that may attack its own sperm. Antibodies are made because of injury, infection, or surgery. They keep the sperm from moving and working normally.
The scientists are still studying how antibodies lower infertility. This condition may make it hard for the sperm to swim into the fallopian tube and enter the egg.
Obstruction
Obstruction is another condition that gives rise to male infertility. It happens when the tubes through which sperm travels are blocked. Conditions, such as repeated infections, swelling, surgery, or developmental defects, may cause the block.
An obstruction may block any part of the reproductive tract. As a result, the sperm from the testicles cannot leave the body at the time of ejaculation.
Hormonal Problems
Hormones made by the pituitary gland direct the testicles to make sperm. Very low hormone levels may cause poor sperm growth, leading to infertility in men.
Hormonal problems in men may be due to an unhealthy lifestyle, consumption of tobacco, and a sedentary routine.
Chromosomes
Sperms carry half of the DNA to the egg, and any changes in the number and structure of chromosomes may affect fertility.
Medications
While medications may not be a direct cause of infertility, certain drugs may change the function, production, and delivery of the sperm. The medications for conditions like infections, high blood pressure, depression, arthritis, digestive problems, and cancer cause low sperm production.
What are the Treatment Options for Male Infertility?
During your visit to the doctor, they will discuss your symptoms, ask questions about your sex life, past medical history, and lifestyle habits. They may also perform a physical examination to look for varicoceles, blockage, and other common problems with the urological tract.
Before suggesting the right treatment option, the doctor will send your sperm for analysis. Semen analysis helps understand the cause of male infertility. They may run other tests, including hormone profile, biopsy, and ultrasound.
Depending on the findings of tests and other evaluations, the doctor will recommend the following treatment options:
Medication
If the cause of your male infertility is hormonal problems, lack of semen during ejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, or any other condition harming sperm development, the doctor will prescribe medicine to treat the same.
Surgery
Surgery may be recommended in case of varicoceles, blockages, or other physical defects blocking the passage of sperm out of the penis.
Assisted Reproductive Techniques
This approach is adopted in cases where the doctor is unable to find the cause of infertility or cannot treat it with other methods. The therapies, such as intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization, are commonly used to retrieve sperm from your body and make your partner pregnant.
Takeaway
Male infertility is a common condition with various causes. From biological reasons to lifestyle habits, many reasons may cause infertility. It is advised to be watchful of the symptoms of this condition and contact the doctor if you experience them.
Recent Comments