Infertility can be an upsetting and challenging problem for males. The process of conception is complicated and may not result in pregnancy even after following all the steps correctly. However, modern medical male infertility treatment and procedures can increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Infertility can also trace to problems with the male reproductive system. Recent studies suggest that 30 to 50 percent of couples struggling with infertility are cases of male factor infertility.
Male Infertility
85% of couples conceive within a year of starting to try. Those who do not conceive are considered infertile. Fertility declines with age, so if couples 35 and older have not become pregnant after six months, they should evaluate further.
Infertility affects many people, and many factors can lead to the condition, including hormone health, structural issues, and sperm quality. Before starting the journey toward parenthood, talk with your doctor about testing options and fertility treatment.
A semen analysis is a simple test that can be a practical first step for men who wish to evaluate their sperm quality. Unfortunately, over the last decade, there has been a decline in average sperm counts and an increase in low sperm counts, and this follows a trend previously noted over 40 years ago.
The causes for the decreasing male sperm count are unknown, and it is necessary to have a semen analysis performed early to identify possible problems.
Determining Sperm Quality
The quality of human sperm provides an overview of an individual’s overall health. Smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, exercise, and sleep cause low-quality sperm. A good diet, exercise, and sleep can remedy this. Sperm tends to decrease in quality with increasing age.
Sperm quality is not the only factor determining fertility, but it is essential to conception and the health of a growing fetus.
The analysis of sperm quality will measure three factors.
Sperm Count
Sperm count is the number of sperm contained in a given amount of semen. Lower-than-optimal levels of sperm may indicate problems with fertility.
Morphology
Morphology is the study of the internal structure of words, including the way they are formed, their meaning, and their relationship to other words in a language. The shape and size of the sperm are crucial to fertilizing an egg. A normal-shaped 4 percent of your overall sperm count ensures success.
Motility
Measuring the percentage of moving sperm in a semen sample can determine a man’s motility. Ideally, it should be 50 percent.
The analysis will provide information on the chemical makeup of your semen sample, indicating whether the environment is too acidic, thick, or watery. Less semen could indicate a blockage or production issue in the seminal vesicles.
Your doctor will assist you in determining the next step in your treatment. Spermatogenesis creates sperm, which takes about 3-4 months. If you make any lifestyle changes, it may take that long for their effects to show up on your following analysis.
Common Causes of Male Infertility
- A range of health problems can affect the production or function of sperm, including undescended testicles, genetic defects, illnesses such as diabetes, and infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, mumps, or HIV. Enlarged veins in the testes (varicocele) can also affect sperm quality.
- Some males cannot reproduce because of sexual problems, genetic diseases, structural problems, or damaged reproductive organs.
- Exposure to certain environmental factors, including chemicals and radiation, may affect male fertility. Cigarette smoking, alcohol, marijuana, anabolic steroids, drugs used to treat bacterial infections, high blood pressure, and depression also can affect fertility. Frequent exposure to heat, such as saunas or hot tubs, can raise body temperature and affect sperm production.
- Cancer and its treatments can cause permanent infertility. Radiation or ch
- Chemotherapy can impair sperm production in some people.
Available Treatment for Male Infertility
The treatment options for infertility vary depending on the cause. Some causes of infertility are treated with drugs or surgery, which allow conception to occur through regular sexual intercourse. The following treatments are available :
Non-surgical therapy for male infertility
Medication
If the male infertility causes are hormone imbalances, issues with erectile dysfunction, or untreated infection, pills can often help resolve the condition.
Sperm Retrieval
Doctors can retrieve sperm from within a man’s body using several techniques
- Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA)
- Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA)
- Testicular sperm aspiration (TESA)
- Testicular sperm extraction (TESE)
Electroejaculation Therapy
Epididymal excision of the deferential duct (EEJ) is a surgical procedure performed in male infertility cases caused by obstruction or absence of the vas deferens. This tube transports sperm from the testes. It is performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting and takes 20 and 30 minutes to complete.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a form of artificial insemination when sperm cells are placed directly into the uterus. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) fertility procedures can be helpful for several different male infertility issues, including problems with sperm motility and mobility. Sperm is carefully treated and washed in a lab before being placed in the uterus during ovulation with the help of a thin catheter.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection
In cases of severe sperm cell reduction, ICSI, a form of ART, can be incredibly effective. In a fertility clinic, high-quality sperm, inseminated into mature eggs in vitro (outside the body), is used to achieve fertilization to achieve a pregnancy through in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Surgical Treatments for Male Infertility
Ejaculatory duct resection
In most male infertility cases, blocked ducts are the cause, but these can be effectively treated through a short, day surgery. The procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia in a hospital.
Varicocele Repair
Surgeons repair varicoceles outpatient to enhance a male’s reproductive potential. No research has conclusively shown that this procedure increases fertility, but theoretically, it might improve sperm count, motility, and mobility.
Vasectomy Reversal
It is a surgical process that reconnects the tubes (vasa deferentia) within the male reproductive system to allow sperm to flow again. The effectiveness of this procedure varies depending on the technique used and the time elapsed since the original vasectomy.
Prevention of Male Fertility
- Avoid drinking excess alcohol
- Avoid bathing in hot tubs and hot baths with high temperature
- Limit medications that impact fertility
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid exposure to industrial and environmental toxins