Male Infertility Factors That Require Infertility Treatment

The problem of infertility has widened its reach worldwide and has impacted many young couples of reproductive age. It is estimated that around 10-15% of couples are dealing with infertility. Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of trying without contraception.

It can be caused by poor lifestyle, fast urbanization, hormonal changes, job pressures, stress, vehicular pollution, deferring parenting, and other medical conditions & complications. Infertility isn't gender-specific, both men and women may bear equal responsibility for it.

Infertility in men has also seen a significant increase over the past decade. Nearly half of the infertility cases are because of the male factor alone. However, if there are infertility symptoms in males, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be able to have your own child with your partner. With medical advancements and technologies, male infertility can be treated using assisted reproductive techniques.

We'll take a look at it. But before that, it's important to understand the male infertility factors that require infertility treatment.

Factors That Affects Male Fertility

To achieve pregnancy, it is essential for a man's sperm to combine with a woman's egg. In the case of male infertility, sperm might not reach the egg for fertilization or are of low quality hampering sperm penetration into an egg.

For male infertility, these are the most common factors that may require infertility treatment -

a. Low Sperm Count

b. Poor Quality Sperm

c. Malformed sperm

d. Varicocele (enlargement of veins in the scrotum)

e. Chronic health problems like Diabetes, Hypertension, etc.

f.  Stress & Depression

g. Genetic Disease

h. High Consumption of alcohol

i.  Environmental causes (Excess exposure to heat and harmful toxicants)

j. Hormonal disorders

Common Signs of Male Infertility

Inability to conceive for over a year itself is the biggest sign of infertility. Along with that, you may notice these common male infertility symptoms -

a. Changes in sexual desire

b. Pain, swelling, or a lump in the testicle area

c. Problem with ejaculation

d. Issues maintaining erection

e. Abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia)

f. hormonal abnormality like decreased facial or body hair

If a male and a female partner have repeated unprotected intercourse for over a year and the female doesn’t get pregnant then either one or both of the partners may have infertility problems. For that, your fertility doctors may run some diagnostic tests for both to determine the underlying cause of it.

Male Infertility Diagnostic tests Involves -

a. Semen Analysis for any possible sperm-related issues

b. History and Physical Exam

c. Transrectal Ultrasound

d. Hormonal Profile

e. Genetic Testing

Male Infertility Treatments

Male infertility can generally be treated with fertility medication, making lifestyle changes, medical surgeries, and sometimes with the help of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). In most severe cases, your fertility doctor may recommend using a sperm donor.

1. Fertility Medication

Your healthcare provider may prescribe several fertility medications to improve sperm quality and hormone therapy to improve sperm count in men with infertility. You'll be guided on how frequently it should be taken.

2. Lifestyle Changes

A healthy lifestyle and a good diet are essential, especially when you're trying to conceive. Some foods and nutrients are associated with greater male fertility benefits than others. Also, regular exercise and a healthy weight can contribute to achieving a healthy pregnancy.

3. Medical Surgeries

Male infertility can also be treated with other surgeries, including Vasectomy reversal which involves reconnecting each tube (vas deferens) that carries sperm from a testicle into the semen.

4. Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART)

ART means fertility treatments and procedures for men and women to help them achieve pregnancy. ART is a complex set of procedures that involve manipulating eggs, sperm, or embryos to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.

The most common type of ART includes -

a. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) - The most effective treatment for Male Infertility or if there are multiple fertility factors like - low sperm count and fallopian tube blockage or ovulation disorder in a female partner. It starts with triggering ovaries to stimulate eggs, the mature eggs are retrieved and fertilized partner's sperm in a lab, and then the embryo is/are placed back in the uterus.

b.IVF with Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is also recommended where the quality sperm are extracted surgically and injected directly into the egg under the basic IVF treatment.

c. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) - The process involves placing several washed sperm directly into the uterus. The IUI procedure works well for men with sperm motility issues.

If you're dealing with male infertility, it is the right time to talk with the infertility specialist in Patna. Crysta IVF is one of the best IVF hospitals in Patna, which offers all types of infertility treatment for both men and women. Book an appointment now.