Male Infertility
Male infertility is when a couple is unable to conceive due to a problem with the man’s reproductive system. It’s most often caused by low sperm production, abnormal sperm function, or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm.
A couple may have fertility issues if they regularly try to conceive (2–3 times a week) for a year without success. Infertility can be due to male infertility, female infertility, or a combination of both. When a couple is having difficulties getting pregnant, both individuals should be evaluated.
Diagnosing male infertility typically begins by meeting with a urologist to complete a comprehensive semen analysis to understand reproductive status. Through this procedure, key parameters such as sperm count, morphology (shape), motility (movement), and other variables are carefully assessed.
How Does Male Fertility Work?
Male fertility requires the production and delivery of healthy sperm. The sperm develop through a complex process regulated by a network of hormones and biological pathways. Sperm begin their journey in the testicles, where they are produced. This process, termed spermatogenesis, involves the creation of millions of sperm cells each day.
Following their production, the sperm cells mature in the epididymis, a long coiled tube in the testicles. During ejaculation, the sperm travel through the vas deferens, where they mix with seminal fluid. The fluid seminal fluid is produced by the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands. This combination of sperm cells and seminal fluid forms semen.
For conception to occur, a sperm cell must successfully travel through the female reproductive system to reach and fertilize an ovum (egg).
Causes of Male Infertility
Male infertility can be attributed to a wide range of factors, most of which affect the production, quality, and delivery of sperm. These factors can be broadly categorized into medical, environmental, and lifestyle causes.
Medical Causes
- Varicocele: This is the most common condition that results in male infertility. It involves the swelling of the veins that drain the testicle, resulting in reduced sperm quality.
- Infection: Certain infections can interfere with sperm production or their health. Infections can also cause scarring that blocks the passage of sperm.
- Retrograde Ejaculation: Retrograde ejaculation is where semen enters the bladder during orgasm instead of emerging from the tip of the penis.
- Tumors and Cancer Treatments: Cancers and nonmalignant tumors can affect the male reproductive organs directly or can impact glands that release hormones related to reproduction. Additionally, radiation or chemotherapy treatments for cancers can impair sperm production.
- Hormone Imbalances: Disorders of the testicles or an imbalance in the hormone systems can cause male infertility. These can include changes in the hormones produced by the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands, among others.
- Chromosomal Defects: Certain inherited disorders can cause abnormal development of the male reproductive organs.
Environmental Causes
- Industrial Chemicals and Heavy Metals: Extended exposure to toxins such as benzenes, toluene, xylene, pesticides, organic solvents, or lead can lead to low sperm counts.
- Radiation or X-Rays: Exposure to these harmful rays can reduce sperm production. The effects are usually temporary but can be permanent with high doses.
- Overheating the Testicles: The production of sperm can be affected by the increased temperature caused by the frequent use of saunas, hot tubs, or tight clothing.
Lifestyle Causes
- Drug Use: Anabolic steroids, cocaine, and marijuana can reduce the number and quality of sperm.
- Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol can lower testosterone levels and decrease sperm production.
- Tobacco Smoking: Men who smoke might have lower sperm counts than non-smokers.
- Emotional Stress: Stress can interfere with certain hormones needed to produce sperm.
Diagnosis of Male Infertility
The process of diagnosing male infertility often takes many steps. Even with a comprehensive medical evaluation, a cause may not be identified. Here are some of the ways a urologist can diagnose male infertility:
- Medical History: A detailed discussion about health history, including past diseases, chronic health issues, inherited conditions, and lifestyle habits, is typically the first step.
- Physical Examination: A urologist performs a physical examination, focusing primarily on the male reproductive system. This examination can help identify any physical abnormalities that might be impacting fertility.
- Semen Analysis: Semen analysis is the cornerstone of male infertility diagnosis. In this test, fresh semen is evaluated in a laboratory to measure sperm count, sperm shape (morphology), movement (motility), and other variables. More than one sample may be required as sperm counts can vary from sample to sample.
- Blood Tests: Blood tests can be used to evaluate hormone levels, which play a crucial role in male fertility. Hormonal imbalances could potentially disrupt sperm production and health.
- Imaging Tests: Certain imaging techniques, such as ultrasound or MRI, can identify any structural problems affecting fertility.
- Genetic Testing: Genetic tests can help determine whether there's a genetic defect causing infertility.
- Testicular Biopsy: In some cases, a small sample of tissue from each testicle may be analyzed under a microscope to identify abnormalities contributing to infertility and to retrieve sperm to use in assisted reproductive techniques, such as IVF.
Treatment for Male Infertility
Treatment strategies for male infertility depend on the underlying cause and diagnosis. Treatment options may include medication, surgery, lifestyle changes, or assisted reproductive technologies.
- Medications: Specific drugs may be prescribed to improve sperm count, motility, and morphology. These can include antibiotics to clear infections that may interfere with sperm production, hormones to balance endocrine disorders or medications that improve ejaculation.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be an effective solution. For instance, a varicocele can be surgically corrected or an obstructed vas deferens can be repaired. Prior vasectomies can usually be reversed. In some cases, sperm can be extracted directly from the testicles or epididymis for use in assisted reproductive techniques.
Lifestyle Changes: Adopting a healthier lifestyle can positively impact fertility. Recommendations include regular exercise, a balanced diet, maintaining an optimal weight, quitting smoking, moderating alcohol consumption, and minimizing stress.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) encompasses a group of advanced procedures used when the cause of male infertility is unknown and other treatments have not been successful. Usually, a fertility specialist does the ART. However, a urologist is an important part of the team in evaluating and treating male infertility and may also be involved in sperm retrieval. ART options include:
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): In this procedure, sperm that have been washed and concentrated are placed directly in the uterus around the time of ovulation. IUI can be coordinated with the natural cycle or fertility medications.
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): IVF involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries, which are then fertilized by sperm in a laboratory. The fertilized egg (embryo) is then implanted into the uterus.
- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): In cases of severe male infertility, ICSI may be performed. This involves the injection of a single sperm directly into an egg. The fertilized egg is then transferred to the uterus or frozen for future use.
- Sperm Donation: This is an option if the male partner produces no sperm or the sperm are of poor quality. Donor sperm can be used in IUI or IVF procedures.
- Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) or Microscopic TESE: These surgical sperm retrieval procedures are options when no sperm are present in the ejaculate. Sperm can be retrieved directly from the testicles and used in procedures such as ICSI.
Embryo Donation or Surrogacy: These options may be suitable for couples where both partners have fertility issues that can't be overcome.
Urology Center Of Iowa
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