Infertility is a common issue affecting a number of couples worldwide. As per figures released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2023, around 17.5 per cent of the adult population – a whopping 1 in every 6 persons globally are affected by infertility. While infertility in females gets more attention, male infertility is a massive issue which is not recognised to the extent it should be. In couple relationships, male infertility has a huge impact on the quality of life they lead. In this article let us read about what is male infertility and what causes male infertility.
For a woman to get pregnant, the sperm from the man’s semen needs to fertilise the egg the female releases in her fallopian tube after having sexual intercourse. Male infertility refers to that condition where the man is not able to fertilise the egg released by his partner. Thus, the process of conception fails, and the man is unable to get his partner pregnant. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), a man or a couple may be declared infertile when they are unable to achieve pregnancy after at least 12 months of unprotected and frequent sexual intercourse. An estimate states that 40 to 50 per cent of all infertility cases are due to the male factor, and hence the issue of male infertility is a major one. Around 40 per cent of male infertility is found in Indian men.
What are the causes of male infertility or what are the reasons for male infertility or what causes male sterility? These are very valid questions and need to be addressed. There are various factors causing male infertility. The main causes are as follows:
1. Low Sperm Count: Oligospermia is a condition of low sperm count in the semen. Medically it means that there are less than 15 million sperms in 1 ml of semen. Oligospermia is caused by an obstruction in the tubes that carry the sperm due to some abnormal developments such as cystic fibrosis or any injury or surgical trauma to the testicles.
2. Sperm Morphology: Teratozoospermia is a condition caused by the abnormal morphology or shape of over 96 percent of sperms, such as head defects, acrosomeless sperm, midpiece defects, and tail defects. This condition may be brought about by genetic defects or by exposure to toxins, including smoking, alcohol, narcotics, and drugs used for cancer treatment.
3. Sperm Motility: Asthenospermia is a condition of low sperm motility. It is caused by infections, anti-sperm antibodies, varicoceles, and certain genetic abnormalities that prevent the sperm from moving effectively towards the egg to fertilise it.
4. Varicoceles: Varicoceles are conditions similar to varicose veins in which the pampiniform plexus veins in the scrotum become enlarged. It is a condition that is more common in the left side of the scrotum and is usually formed during puberty due to prolonged sitting or standing, thereby putting pressure on the testicular veins and causing them to dilate. This condition causes low sperm count and also contributes to abnormal sperm morphology or shape of the sperm.
5. Imbalance in Hormones: There may be imbalances in hormones causing hypogonadism – a failure of the gonads or testes to function properly or hypergonadism – where the gonads are hyperfunctioning, leading to the sperm quality and the quantity produced getting affected.
6. Infection or Inflammation: Infections or inflammations in the testicles, prostate glands or epididymis in the testicles may cause low production of sperms or production of low-quality sperms.
7. Disorders in Ejaculation: Disorders in ejaculation of the semen during sexual intercourse, like premature ejaculation or retrograde ejaculation – when the semen enters the bladder instead of the penis, prevent the sperm from reaching the woman’s vagina and fertilising the egg.
8. Genetic Defects: Certain genetic defects, such as Klinefelter syndrome, where the male is born with an extra copy of the X chromosome as a result of random genetic error after conception, resulting in low testosterone, and cystic fibrosis, which plugs up tubes, may lead to low sperm production or poor-quality sperm production.
9. External Environmental Factors: Exposure to certain external environmental toxins, such as heavy metals or pesticides, may damage the production of healthy sperms in sufficient quantities.
>> Also Read: 7 Things You Should Know Before Undergoing Female Fertility Test
Mostly, male infertility is asymptomatic. It does not have any easily visible symptoms. However, in order to address the question – what are the symptoms of infertility in males, often the following symptoms may be observed in some males:
1. Low Libido: A low libido or decrease in one’s sex drive or desire for sex is often an indication that there are some disbalances in hormones within one’s body or other underlying factors which may adversely affect male fertility. When the question arises as to what is the cause of male infertility, low libido is an almost dead give-away.
2. Pain or Discomfort in the Scrotum: Sudden pain or discomfort in the scrotum or the testicles is an indicator of an infection or some sort of inflammation. If neglected, these may get compounded and cause infertility in a male.
3. Disorders in Ejaculation: As already discussed, disorders in ejaculation such as premature ejaculation or retrograde ejaculation are symptoms which may indicate an issue with fertility in the particular man.
4. Difficulties in Getting an Erection: Difficulty in achieving an erection may be caused by erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, and may be caused by conditions of obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or other disbalance in hormones.
From the aforementioned symptoms you can have an idea of what adversely affects men’s fertility.
What helps men’s fertility to be improved or increased from a condition of infertility? The options that are available for treatment depend on the underlying cause of infertility. Some of the treatment options commonly in use are as follows:
1. Medication: Certain medications are available that may increase the sperm count and improve the quality of the sperm produced. Some commonly prescribed medicines are anastrozole and clomiphene citrate.
2. Surgical Intervention: Certain surgical procedures, like varicocelectomy, may assist in repairing damaged veins and result in better sperm production, both quantity and quality-wise.
3. Changing One’s Lifestyle: Changing one’s lifestyle by reducing stress, giving up smoking for good, and improving health by proper diet and exercise will improve overall health and may improve male fertility.
Apart from the above ways to treat infertility, men may need counselling and better understanding to cope with the situation as well as the emotional impact of infertility.
In case there is no treatment for infertility in a male, the couple may go for Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ARTs) which will help them have a child through assisted fertilisation or sperm from a donor. The ARTs commonly in use today are as follows:
It is difficult for a man and his partner to live through and cope with male infertility. In order to understand what is male fertility, it is nothing but the ability to have a child and, in some cases, to be able to enjoy sexual intercourse properly. A few tips to lead a proper life despite being affected by male infertility are as follows:
1. Seek Support: The emotional impact of male infertility requires a man or a couple to seek support, be it professionally or from their family members and friends.
2. Increasing Positivity: To overcome the issue of infertility, you need to increase positivity from within and focus on finding a solution.
3. Education on the Condition: Seek to get educated on the condition and the available treatment options to make an informed decision on the course of treatment or what to do next.
4. Counselling: You may require professional counselling to handle the emotional impact of your infertility and to develop strategies to cope with your condition.
5. Improve Your Overall Health: Aim to improve your wellness and overall health. Reduce stress, give up smoking for good, and follow a healthy diet and exercise regime.
Male infertility is an issue which is more common in the world than we would like to believe. It is a complex issue where medical, physical and emotional facades are tangled. Adopting a comprehensive approach and seeking intervention from healthcare professionals will help you to understand the factors causing infertility and also aid you in overcoming the issue.
As we already have mentioned, with the help of Assisted Reproduction Technologies one can have a child from a donor. As these procedures involve highly advanced technologies, the treatment cost is as exorbitant as it can wipe off your hard-earned savings. However, with a health insurance plan such as Care Classic, you can cover the treatment expenses incurred during IVF treatment. The coverage has a 3-year waiting period. Keep in mind that the plan benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions and underwriter’s discretion.
Disclaimers: All plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.
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