Male infertility is any condition when a person loses their ability to produce or ejaculate sperm. Infertility occurs in both males and females. About 13 out of 100 couples can’t have a baby. In most of these cases, infertility is the reason behind the issue. The common cause for male infertility is lack of sperm production or sperm delivery.
Causes for Male Infertility
Male infertility occurs for many health issues. Here are some common conditions of male infertility:
1. Varicocele
The vein that drains sperms from testicles is called the vas deferens. When this vein swells, the sperm can’t leave the body. This is a reversible male infertility condition. Many urologists suggest that the abnormal blood flow causes vas deferens to swell. But, the actual cause is still unknown. This condition affects the quality and quantity of sperm.
2. Infection
Various infections can negatively affect sperms health and production. These infections cause scarring in the sperm’s passage causing a blockage. As a result, you will experience inflammation in the testicles and epididymis. You may also develop an infection because of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV or gonorrhea. Also, some dangerous infections cause permanent testicular damage. But, treatments can retrieve sperms.
3. Ejaculation Issues
Conditions such as retrograde ejaculation cause male infertility. In this condition, the sperm enters the bladder instead of ejaculating from the penis. You may develop retrograde ejaculation for various reasons such as:
- Medications
- Spinal injuries
- Diabetes
- Surgery of the prostate or bladder
4. Some Antibodies
Antibodies are part of the immune system that fights allergens and other harmful substances that enters the body. Due to malfunction in the immune system, the antibodies detect sperms as harmful invaders. Therefore, they eliminate them causing infertility.
5. Tumors
Nonmalignant cancers directly affect the male reproductive organs. When hormone-releasing glands that are responsible for reproductions such as the pituitary gland develops a tumor, you’ll experience infertility. A urologist can treat the condition by eliminating tumors through radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy.
6. Hormone Imbalances
Testicle disorder can cause infertility or affect the production of hormones. Problems in hormonal systems such as the pituitary, hypothalamus, and adrenal glands can result in infertility as well. Also, many men lose their fertility because of low testosterone. Hormonal imbalances may occur due to numerous underlying conditions.
7. Certain Medications
Many medications and drugs can decrease male fertility and impair sperm production. These medications include:
- Anabolic steroid
- Testosterone therapy
- Cancer medications
- Arthritis drugs
- Ulcer drugs
Therefore, it is important to ask about the side effects of the medication from your doctors.
Treatment for Male Infertility
Often, urologists are unable to find the actual problem that causes male infertility. When the doctor diagnoses you for male infertility, they might diagnose your partner as well. The doctor might also suggest treatments for your partner. Also, they will teach the partner how they can help to treat the condition. Here are some treatments often used to treat or cure male infertility:
1. Surgery
A professional urologist can suggest surgery for a wide range of male infertility causes. For instance, if you develop varicocele, they will repair the vas deferens. The doctor will surgically construct or obstruct the vein enabling the sperms to flow outside the body. Also, when your ejaculation doesn’t contain sperm, the doctor will perform sperm retrieval techniques. In this technique, the doctor directly retrieves sperms for the testicles.
2. Treating Infections
Like other infectious conditions, antibiotic treatment can treat male infertility due to infection. When you cure with infection, the reproductive tract starts ejaculating sperms. But, this restoration doesn’t work always. Sometimes, the infection causes permanent infertility. In this condition, the doctor retrieves sperms directly from testicles.
3. Sexual Intercourse Problems
Counseling or medication often improves male infertility such as premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction.
4. Hormone Treatments
A urologist may recommend hormone medications or replacement surgeries to treat infertility. In most cases, hormones are the major cause. Whether the hormone production is higher or lower, you can develop infertility. The doctor recommends medication to balance hormone production.
5. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
Many patients find ART treatment to generate sperms and cure their infertility. They obtain sperm through surgical extraction or normal ejaculation. After receiving sperms from the male, the doctor inserts them inside the female genital tract. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection or vito fertilization are helpful to treat infertility.
Male Infertility Causes & Treatments: Conclusion
Can you relate to any of these male infertility conditions? If yes, then you should consult with a urologist. Dr. Yaniv Larish is an experienced urologist in New York with a high success rate treating male as well as female infertility.
Visit or call us today at Fifth Avenue Urology to schedule an appointment or consultation.
FIFTH AVENUE UROLOGY
5 East 83rd Street
New York, NY 10028
212-675-3186
Dr. Larish is a urologist and surgeon treating women and men with a variety of urological conditions. His expertise is in treating complex kidney stones, enlarged prostates (BPH), incontinence, erectile dysfunction, infertility, and urological oncology (prostate, bladder, kidney, and adrenal cancers). He is an expert in general urology and is often consulted for second opinions.