Hundreds of couples all around the world have difficulty conceiving a child due to issues with infertility. While many might think of infertility as a woman’s issues, about 1/3 of infertility cases can be attributed to issues with the male partner. Many men are unaware of the issues that can contribute to the inability for a couple to conceive. Here are a few things that fertility experts may check for in the male partner of an infertile couple.
Male infertility is most typically caused by problems with sperm production, or sperm transport. About two-thirds of men who have problems with infertility have difficulty producing sperm in the testes. This results in a low sperm count, or sperm that are deformed. This can be caused by a variety of issues, such as infection, surgery, or blunt injury. In addition, sperm production can be weakened by overexposure to extreme elements such as heat, chemical, or toxins.
Sperm transportation is an issue for about one in every five males who suffer from infertility. A blockage in the sperm tubes can cause issues with the transportation of sperm into the uterus, and can be caused by infections, sexual diseases, vasectomy, or issues with inherited conditions such as cystic fibrosis.
There are a few other lifestyle choices that are believed to affect a males fertility chances. This includes smoking, the use of drugs, alcoholism, steroid use, intense exercise, malnutrition, or excessive stress. A male should avoid these habits in order to increase the chances of pregnancy.
In most cases, there are no obvious symptoms of male infertility. If you and your partner are having difficulties conceiving a child, it’s best to visit a fertility expert at your local center for reproductive medicine. Reproductive center staff is fully trained in infertility issues found in males and females, and will provide you and your partner the best infertility treatment recommendations for your individual case.
