Male Infertility

Male infertility refers to the inability of a couple to conceive a child when the problem is identified to be with the man. About 40% of the reported infertility cases are due to male infertility.

Different factors are related to male infertility, such as:

• Ejaculation problems

  When a man is unable to release the semen through the penis properly (in other words unable to ejaculate properly) in order to get a woman pregnant he might suffer from such conditions as erectile dysfunction, retrograde ejaculation (when the fluid to be ejaculated is pushed back into the bladder), premature ejaculation, complications from radiation therapy, etc.

• Low sperm count

  This is when the number of sperm cells in your ejaculate is too low to get a woman pregnant. Low sperm count can be caused by many things: as a result of a severe mumps infection, hormonal disorder, exposure to poisonous chemicals, exposure to radiation, excessive use of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol, or even in consequence of wearing tight underwear.

• Low sperm quality

  The difficulty of conceiving a child may be a result from the inability of the sperm cells to swim properly. The semen is then described as low quality. Additionally low quality sperm may refer to malformed sperm cells or sperm that has a short life span. This can be caused by inflammation or abnormal development of the testicles, or swollen veins in the scrotum.

Men who suspect that they suffer from male infertility should consult a doctor right away, especially if they have been unsuccessfully trying to get a woman pregnant for over a year. A physical examination will determine the exact reasons and if male infertility is the underlying problem, its causes may be treated if caught early on.

Potential Treatments of Male Infertility

Yes, male infertility can be treated.  Over 50% of the male infertility cases can be successfully treated.

Potential treatments of male infertility include antibiotics, medications, and hormones that can get rid of infections, aid sperm production, or restore hormonal balance. Such conventional methods may help a couple conceive a child through completely normal sexual intercourse.

Of course there are other treatments, though considered by some people too invasive or too expensive. Such methods include in vitro fertilization and artificial insemination. Also, if the man has no sperm production, there is still an option - a sperm donor may be used.

On the other hand, some cases of male infertility cannot be treated. For example if your infertility is caused by genetic problems or an illness. Again, by all means consult a doctor if you suspect you suffer from male infertility - your doctor will be able to determine the causes and assign a treatment if such is possible.