Male infertility is the incapability of males to impregnant their fertile woman. Male infertility affects 7-10% of all men. Mainly, it solely contributes to 20% of the cause in infertile couples, and together with female factors, it constitutes approximately 30 to 40%.
Male infertility can be accounted to many reasons such as defective synthesis of sperms seen in conditions like varicocele, infections, sperm antibodies, tumours of testis, undescended testis, hormonal imbalance, genetic causes or medications and any previous surgeries. It can be caused due to improper or inadequate ejaculation of sperms like ejaculatory dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, painful intercourse, abnormalities in the urethral opening, psychological causes. Environmental and lifestyle causes like smoking, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, etc., can also affect the sperm quality.
The main presentation is the inability to conceive a child. They can also present with swelling due to dilated veins around the testicles, problems with sexual function like low or no ejaculate, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, etc. In men who have genetic condition they can present with symptoms associated with inherited disorders such as inability to smell, recurrent respiratory infections, abnormal breast growth, decreased facial or body hair. In a few conditions, where the semen parameters are normal, the sperm is incapable of fertilising the egg, or the sperm has genetic conditions that prevent normal fetal development.
Evaluation is done when there is no conception after one year of unprotected intercourse, and where the female partner is above 35 years, evaluation is done after six months of unprotected intercourse. Men having concerns about their future fertility are also evaluated early.
A detailed reproductive history, medical conditions and history of previous fertility is taken and thorough general physical examination is done. It is recommended to abstain from sexual activity for 2-5 days before a semen analysis. The semen analysis shows absent sperms or abnormal semen parameters ranging from low sperm count, reduced motility, abnormal structure of sperms, and a combination of these abnormal parameters.
Based on the results obtained, additional tests and procedures may be recommended, including serial semen analysis, endocrine evaluation, post-ejaculatory urinalysis, ultrasonography, testicular biopsy, specialised tests on semen and sperm, genetic screening, etc.
The treatment options include surgery for conditions like varicocele repair, sperm retrieval techniques, treating infections with antibiotics, treatment of sexual problems with medications and counselling, hormone replacements and medications. Assisted reproductive technology where the sperm is obtained through surgical extraction is advised in men severely affected semen parameters or when there is no sperms seen in the semen sample. In men whose sperms cannot be obtained a meticulous counselling and the options of donor sperms is advised.
The main sign is the inability to conceive. Other signs include swelling due to dilated veins around the testicles, problems with sexual function such as low or no ejaculate, reduced libido, and erectile dysfunction. Men with a genetic condition may also present with symptoms like inability to smell, recurrent respiratory infections, abnormal breast growth, and decreased facial or body hair. In some cases, even when semen parameters appear normal, the sperm may be incapable of fertilising the egg or may carry genetic conditions that prevent normal fetal development.
There are a few lifestyle and environmental factors that negatively affect sperm quality, specifically smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug abuse. Avoiding these habits would help protect sperm quality. Treatment options such as hormone replacements and medications, surgery for conditions like varicocele, and treating infections with antibiotics can address underlying causes affecting sperm.
Not necessarily. There are several treatment options depending on the cause, including surgical procedures like varicocele repair, sperm retrieval techniques, antibiotics for infections, medications and counselling for sexual problems, and hormone replacement therapy. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is also an option for severely affected cases. For men from whom sperm cannot be obtained at all, donor sperm is discussed as an alternative.
Men are generally most fertile in their twenties and early thirties. While men can continue to produce sperm throughout their lives, sperm quality and fertility typically begin to decline gradually after age 35-40, with further decreases in testosterone levels and sperm parameters as they age.
Best Gynecologists in Bellandur Best Gynecologists in Electronic City Best Gynecologists in HRBR LayoutBest Gynecologists in Jayanagar Best Gynecologists in Kanakapura RoadBest Gynecologists in Malleswaram Best Gynecologists in Nagarbhavi Best Gynecologists in Old Airport RoadBest Gynecologists in Sahakarnagar Best Gynecologists in Sarjapur RoadBest Gynecologists in ThanisandraBest Gynecologists in Varthur RoadBest Gynecologists in Whitefield Best Gynecologists in Industrial Area Phase IIBest Gynecologists in OMRBest Gynecologists in T NagarBest Gynecologists in New Industrial TownBest Gynecologists in IndirapuramBest Gynecologists in Golf Course RoadBest Gynecologists in Sector 14Best Gynecologists in Sector 47Best Gynecologists in Banjara HillsBest Gynecologists in GachibowliBest Gynecologists in Hitech CityBest Gynecologists in KompallyBest Gynecologists in Jawahar NagarBest Gynecologists in Gomti NagarBest Gynecologists in Phase 3, Sector 58Best Gynecologists in MaladBest Gynecologists in NerulBest Gynecologists in VashiBest Gynecologists in Kailash ColonyBest Gynecologists in PatparganjBest Gynecologists in Punjabi BaghBest Gynecologists in RohiniBest Gynecologists in VikaspuriBest Gynecologists in Gaur CityBest Gynecologists in Pari ChowkBest Gynecologists in Sector 51Best Gynecologists in Sector 5 Swastik ViharBest Gynecologists in Kalyani NagarBest Gynecologists in SB RoadBest Gynecologists in Pimple SaudagarBest Pediatricians in BellandurBest Pediatricians in Electronic CityBest Pediatricians in HRBR LayoutBest Pediatricians in JayanagarBest Pediatricians in Kanakapura RoadBest Pediatricians in MalleswaramBest Pediatricians in NagarbhaviBest Pediatricians in Old Airport RoadBest Pediatricians in SahakarnagarBest Pediatricians in Sarjapur RoadBest Pediatricians in ThanisandraBest Pediatricians in Varthur RoadBest Pediatricians in WhitefieldBest Pediatricians in Industrial Area Phase IIBest Pediatricians in OMRBest Pediatricians in T NagarBest Pediatricians in New Industrial TownshipBest Pediatricians in IndirapuramBest Pediatricians in Golf Course RoadBest Pediatricians in Sector 14Best Pediatricians in Sector 47Best Pediatricians in Hitech CityBest Pediatricians in Banjara HillsBest Pediatricians in GachibowliBest Pediatricians in KompallyBest Pediatricians in Jawahar NagarBest Pediatricians in Gomti NagarBest Pediatricians in Phase 3, Sector 58Best Pediatricians in MaladBest Pediatricians in NerulBest Pediatricians in VashiBest Pediatricians in Kailash ColonyBest Pediatricians in PatparganjBest Pediatricians in Punjabi BaghBest Pediatricians in RohiniBest Pediatricians in VikaspuriBest Pediatricians in Gaur CityBest Pediatricians in Pari ChowkBest Pediatricians in Sector 51Best Pediatricians in Sector 5 Swastik ViharBest Pediatricians in Kalyani NagarBest Pediatricians in SB RoadBest Pediatricians in Pimple Saudagar
