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If you’re struggling to conceive, you need to understand male factor infertility so that you and your partner can appropriately address the situation. According to Yale Medicine, approximately 15% of couples in the United States have issues conceiving, with more than 50% of those cases resulting from a male fertility issue.
So, what is male factor infertility? We delve into the causes, the symptoms, and how it can be treated.
What is male factor infertility: Male infertility causes
Male infertility can be the result of more than one factor. It is often associated with abnormal sperm production or a motility issue. This means that men might have abnormal and low sperm production, or the sperm may have an issue with being able to travel to the necessary destination. Often, motility issues are the result of a blockage of some sort. Issues related to oddly shaped and sized sperm can also affect the sperm's ability to fertilize an egg.
Often, the amount of testosterone is the main issue. “Male factor infertility is a condition that is often caused by a lack of testosterone,” Virginia Blackwell, M.D., doctor of gynecology, told Mom.com. “Testosterone is responsible for many abilities in the body, including energy production, muscle growth, and sex drive. Loss of testosterone can lead to various health problems, including low sperm counts and fertility issues.”
Male infertility symptoms
While the main symptom of male infertility is the inability to conceive a child, the Mayo Clinic lists other symptoms as well that men should be aware of. Other signs and symptoms of infertility in men include:
- Sexual function problems such as difficulty ejaculating, reduced sexual desire, or erectile dysfunction
- Pain, swelling, or a lump in the testicle area
- Repeated respiratory infections
- Issues with smell
- Abnormal breast growth
- Decreased facial or body hair
- Low sperm count
A low sperm count is defined as having fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen or a total sperm count of less than 39 million per ejaculation.
If a couple has been trying to conceive through unprotected intercourse for more than a year, it is time to see a doctor to diagnose and treat the infertility issue.
Male infertility treatments
Many men successfully treat their infertility and are able to conceive a child with their partners. There are many ways that infertility is treated, including medication, lifestyle changes, and surgeries.
Medicinal treatment is usually hormone therapy that will increase testosterone production, thus increasing sperm production. This is a frequent therapy used in men over the age of 40.
There are certain lifestyle changes that a man can undertake as well that will help alleviate problems with infertility. Lifestyle changes include:
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Eat a healthy diet
- Quit smoking
- Refrain from alcohol consumption
- Stop using marijuana
- Quit illegal drug use
There are also three surgical options that men often undertake to deal with infertility. The first is a vasectomy reversal where the vas deferens is reconnected. This is the tube in the scrotum where sperm passes through.
A vasoepididymostomy repairs blockages in the vas deferens. The surgeon bypasses the blockage by sewing two clear ends of the vas deferens together.
A third surgical procedure is sperm retrieval. This is often done when IVF is the best option to conceive. Serious cases may require a testicle biopsy first to find the sperm.
Dealing with infertility as a couple
It’s important that couples looking to conceive, but are having difficulty doing so, work as a team to address fertility issues. David Bross and his wife sought help when they could not conceive naturally. “In short, my wife and I were both diagnosed with fertility issues. I had morphology issues, and my wife has polycystic ovary syndrome,” he told Mom.com.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a female hormonal disorder leading to infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excessive male hormone levels. The result is that the ovaries may fail to regularly release eggs, making conception difficult.
The Bross’ sought the help of a fertility expert. Through in vitro fertilization (IVF), they were able to conceive and now are the proud parents of seven-year-old twins. Their case is not all that uncommon where the fertility issue isn’t just with the man. About 10% of women who are of the age to get pregnant have problems with conceiving.
By working together, the Brosses were able to appropriately address their fertility issues. The success rate for fertility treatments is about 50%, giving hope to those who would otherwise be unable to conceive a child together.
