Infertility in Men

Infertility in a man is a condition whereby he is unable to have kids. Men are infertile when they are unable to get their partners pregnant after having sexual intercourse for over a year. 

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductive-health/infertility-faq/

To impregnate your partner or wife, you must be able to produce healthy sperm. Your body produces testosterone and other hormones which help you maintain the production of sperm. The sperm are then transported, into the semen from the testicles (male sex organs). The sperm count or number of sperm in the semen, must be enough and moveable to reach and fertilize your partner’s egg. 

You need to see a doctor if you engage in sex with your woman frequently and with no protection and yet are unable to get her pregnant. There are chances your sperm is unable to fertilize her egg, or you have infertile sperm.

Symptoms of Male Infertility

Some signs that show infertility in men include:

• Pain in the testicles
• Depression 
• Erectile dysfunction 
• A small amount of semen or fluid ejaculated during sexual activity
• Reduced sexual desire
• Loss of sense of smell

There are also emotional and psychological symptoms such as grief, depression, tiredness or fatigue, and pain.

How do I identify a healthy Sperm?

Semen is a whitish-grey liquid that a man releases from his penis upon orgasm or ejaculation. Semen contains sperm and fluids that transport sperm to the vagina. It also contains proteins, minerals, and vitamins that nourish the sperm. 

Healthy semen is thick and sticky. When your semen is watery, it may indicate a low sperm count, which causes infertility in men.

What are the Causes of Infertility in Men?

Some medical and biological factors can cause men’s sperm to be infertile. They include:

• Sperm problem: A problem a man can have with the sperm is when the sperm is either malformed, low, or not present. Low sperm count is called oligospermia, and the absence of sperm in a man’s semen is called azoospermia.
• Sexually transmitted infections or diseases (STIs/STDs), including HIV or AIDS or gonorrhea
• Poor sperm motility or movement 
• Sexual dysfunction 
• Hormone imbalance 
• Blockages in the male reproductive organ
• Medical conditions such as diabetes, liver damage, and cystic fibrosis can affect the fertility of the sperm.
• Treatment of cancer: When a man undergoes chemotherapy or surgical removal of the male sex organ, it may affect his ability to impregnate a woman.
• Genetic disorders are also a contributing factor to infertility in men. Disorders such as myotonic dystrophy, Klinefelter syndrome, and Y-chromosome microdeletion can cause male infertility.

Also, there are environmental causes of infertility in men. They are:

• Exposure to radiation or X-rays: when you overexpose yourself to radiation or X-rays, it can reduce the production of sperm or its function. 
• Exposure to heavy metals: heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium can increase the risk of infertility in men.
• Exposure to industrial chemicals such as organic solvents and pesticides can affect your sperm count.

Other causes of infertility in men are:

• Excessive drinking of alcohol can reduce the production of sperm and cause erectile dysfunction. It can also damage your liver and lower your testosterone level.
• Obesity: it can affect your sexual health by causing hormone changes that can lead to infertility in men
• Smoking and use of drugs: the use of illegal substances like marijuana or cocaine can reduce the production of sperm. Men who smoke and those who inhale secondhand smoke are more likely to have low sperm count than men who don’t. 

Source: https://www.siddhidataclinic.com/lander

What are the Complications associated with male infertility?

Complications of male infertility include:

• Stress 
• Guilt
• Relationship problems: relationships or marriages suffer because of men’s infertility. It can lead to disagreements among the couples and marital issues.
• Anger or transmission of aggression
• Expensive and complex reproductive techniques
• Increased chance of having testicular cancer, melanoma, colon cancer and prostate cancer

Treatment of Male Infertility 

It is not impossible to get treated. You can have your children. There are treatment options available to help you impregnate your partner or wife and produce offspring. Your treatment will depend on what causes your condition. Consult your doctor to know what treatment is best for you.

Treatment options available to help men with infertility include:

• Surgery: Surgery can be done to repair injury in the male reproductive organ (testes) or to correct any abnormalities. There are different surgery options available: vasoepididymostomy, varicocelectomy, vasectomy reversal, and speed retrieval.
  • Vasoepididymostomy. The surgery is carried out to remove blockages that hinder the movement of sperm into your semen.
  • Varicocelectomy. It involves surgical removal of varicose veins in the scrotum. It is done to remove the pool of blood in the testicles caused by the varicose veins.
  • Vasectomy reversal. It refers to the reversal of the surgery done to stop sperm from entering your semen. 
  • Biopsy. This type of surgery is to get sperm from your testicles.
• Fertilization of egg in a laboratory: It involves the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART). It is used to remove an egg from the woman and fertilize it with the man’s sperm in a laboratory. This could be done by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or In vitro fertilization IVF). During ICSI, the reproductive endocrinologist injects a sperm cell into the egg of your female partner. The sperm can be donated from a third party or the sperm bank.

 The IVF process involves your doctor giving your woman fertility medications, which causes multiple eggs to develop in her ovaries. The doctor then collects the eggs to fertilize them with sperm cells in the lab. After a successful fertilization, the doctor puts the egg into the woman’s womb or uterus. 

• Medications: Medicines you can use to treat infertility or improve your sperm count include Clomid, anastrozole, FSH, and hCG. Ensure you use the drugs as prescribed by your doctor.
• Male fertility supplements or vitamins: such as CoQ10, vitamin D, vitamin C, Zinc, folic acid and more. They are used to support healthy sperm production. They play roles in increasing sperm concentration, motility, and improving reproductive health.

Prevention

Living a healthy lifestyle. Making lifestyle changes cannot be overemphasized. Avoiding known causes of infertility can make you produce fertile or healthy sperm. Male fertility problems caused by unhealthy lifestyles can be managed by living a healthier life. Healthy lifestyles to prevent infertile sperm include:

• Exercising regularly 
• Eating a healthy diet, including fruits and vegetables. 
• Avoiding smoking. Smoking has negative effects on fertility and general well-being. 
• Avoid drinking excessive alcohol 
• Avoiding secondhand smoke 
• Managing or reducing stress
• Maintaining a healthy weight 
• Do not have a vasectomy 

Ensure you go for medical therapy with a healthcare professional who specializes in infertility when you have a sexual problem or feel pain in the testicle area.