Everything you Know about Male Infertility

What is male infertility?

Male infertility is the inability of a guy to conceive a child with a woman. The causes of male infertility might vary widely. A person might not produce enough healthy sperm. They might suffer from a hereditary condition like cystic fibrosis. Others also experience genital tract obstructions. Whatever the case, it is advisable to consult a doctor for infertility. 

What causes male infertility?

Some of the primary reasons that can cause male infertility are-

• Smoking cigarettes
• Drinking alcohol
• Using some illegal drugs
• Weighing too much
• Having particular infections from the past or present.
• The testicles are getting too hot.
• Sustained testicular injury.

An infertility doctor for men can diagnose and tell you the reason for infertility. Abnormal sperm function or production is brought on by undescended testicles, genetic flaws, medical conditions like diabetes, or infectious diseases like chlamydia, gonorrhea, measles, or HIV. Varicocele can also lower sperm quality. 

Symptoms 

• Issues with sexual function, such as problems ejaculating or ejaculating little amounts of fluid, decreased sexual desire, or issues keeping an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• Having discomfort, edema, or a bump near the testicles
• Respiratory diseases that recur
• Being unable to smell
• Abnormal breast development (gynecomastia)

• A sperm count that is below average (fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen or a total sperm count of less than 39 million per ejaculate)

When to consult a doctor for infertility?

You should know it is time to consult a physician if any of the following is experienced by you and you haven't been able to conceive after a year of consistent, unprotected sexual activity or earlier:

• Low sex drive, issues with erection or ejaculation, or other issues with sexual function
• Testicle area ache, pain, bulge, or swelling
• A background of testicular, prostate, or sexual issues
• A scrotum, penis, testicles, or groin operation
• A spouse older than 35

Diagnosis 

Infertility doctor for men typically diagnoses this by :

• Medical history and a general physical examination: Examining your genitalia and questioning you about any hereditary disorders, ongoing health issues, ailments, injuries, or operations that may have an impact on your fertility is part of this process. Additionally, your male infertility doctor might inquire about your sexual behaviors and how those changed as you approached puberty.

• Semen examination: There are several techniques to collect samples of semen. Some males favor a different technique of semen collection due to cultural or religious beliefs. In certain circumstances, semen can be obtained by using a unique condom during sexual activity. 

Treatment of male infertility

The treatment of male infertility is suited according to the degree of condition a person suffers from.  

• Surgery. 
• Taking care of infections.
• Treatment options for issues with sex.
• Medicines and hormone therapies.
• Use of assisted reproduction techniques (ART).

If infertility persists for longer, there are options like IVF (In-Vitro Fertilisation). One healthy sperm is injected into each egg in this process. The possibility that a couple will have healthy embryos to transfer as part of IVF for males is considerably increased by this stage. Male infertility is a problem for some couples, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the treatment of choice. 

Conclusion

While here we have vividly discussed male infertility, we would also want to bring to your attention that in some cases, there is no cure for male infertility issues, and men are unable to father children. You might be advised by your male infertility doctor to think about adopting a child or going with donor sperm. Male infertility is a condition that can be stressful, but there are several therapies available.