Male Causes of Infertility

What is the cause for male infertility?

  • Low sperm count (Oligozoospermia). Normally, men produce at least 20 million sperms per mililiter of semen. 
  • No sperm in the ejaculate (Azoospermia)
  • Poor sperm motility (Asthenozoospermia)
  • Abnormal sperm (Teratozoospermia)
  • Ejaculatory dysfunction or impotence.
This could be due to several reasons such as preexisting medical condition, severe mumps infection, exposure to poisonous chemical or radiation, usage of tobacco, alcohol or illicit drugs, undescended testis, blockage of duct or swollen vein in the scrotum (varicocoele).
 
 
How is male infertility diagnosed?
  • Semen analysis to assess the number, motility and shape of the sperm.
  • Blood test to check the hormone levels.
  • Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA): This minor diagnostic and therapeutic procedure could be done for patients with azoospermia. It involves inserting a small needle into the epididymis to retrieve sperm. This procedure could assist patients with obstructive azoospermia due to previous history of vasectomy or absence of vas deferens. If there is still no sperm able to be found from the PESA procedure, testicular sperm extraction will be done.
  • Testicular sperm extraction (TESE): It involves making a small incision of the testis and taking a small tissue sample (biopsy). From the biopsy, the possible cause of the azoospermia could be made and some sperm could be hopefully be extracted. If there is sperm extracted from the PESA or TESE procedure it could be freezed for future usage.
 
 
What treatment could be given for male infertility?
  •        Medication could be given to improve sperm production and motility        
  •        Hormones could be given to help hormonal imbalance.        
  •        Antibiotics for infections

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What reproductive technique could be used to treat infertility due to male infertility?

  • Intrauterine insemination (IUI). This method could be used if there is reduced sperm count or motility.
  • In vitro fertilization (IVF). This could be used if there is severe reduction in the number of sperm count. It could help both female and male cause of infertility.
  • Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with IVF. This reproductive technique have revolutionized the treatment for the most difficult male infertility cases whereby only one sperm is needed to be injected directly into an egg.

 

What could be done to prevent male infertility?

 There is nothing that could be done if the cause of male infertility is due to genetic conditions or infection. However, there are some steps you could do to reduce the risk of having male infertility:
  • Practice healthy monogamous sexual relationship to avoid the risk of contracting sexually transmitted disease.
  • Avoid cigarette smoking.
  • Avoid heavy frequent alcohol consumption.
  • Avoid long hot baths and tight fitting underwear.
  • Avoid exposure to radiation or poisonous chemicals.

 

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