What’s The Deal With Male Fertility?

Male fertility is an often-overlooked topic, yet is a primary reason for infertility among couples. Infertility occurs when a couple is unable to conceive naturally after 6-12 months of consistent, unprotected sex. The disease impacts at least 12-15% of American couples hoping to start or grow a family. With infertility, there is often an underlying medical condition or disruption of the reproductive organs preventing natural conception. Studies also show infertility impacts men and women equally. Male fertility challenges can be frustrating for couples trying to conceive. Understanding the root cause can help with effective treatment and potentially a future pregnancy.

Taking a closer look at sperm

Sperm health is at the core of male-factor infertility. The optimal condition for conception requires men to have healthy sperm during intercourse. Healthy sperm should have optimal sperm count, motility, and morphology. Men with a healthy sperm count have sufficient sperm to reach the egg in the fallopian tubes. Sperm’s ability to move, called motility, also determines successful pregnancies. Experts recommend that at least 40% of sperm should show significant movement. Finally, the shape of the sperm determines the ability to successfully fertilize the egg. Poor sperm shape can lead to infertility. While there are many reasons for infertility, these 3 may be the reason conception is challenging.

1. A havoc on your hormones

Hormones play a significant role in the reproductive health of men and women. Men rely on optimal hormones to create optimal amounts of healthy sperm in the testes. Men need not only testosterone, but also hormones called gonadotropins to produce sperm. These gonadotropins, primarily follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), direct the production of sperm. Poor hormone production caused by health challenges is a major factor in fertility woes. Checking and treating imbalanced hormones is a common strategy taken by fertility specialists.

2. Blockages and structural concerns

Even with healthy hormones, there can still be obstacles to conceiving. Some are due to sperm’s inability to combine with semen or exit due to structural issues. Blockages like a varicocele are quite common. This condition occurs when enlarged veins in the scrotum block sperm from leaving the testicles. Other structural issues, like undescended testicles or certain genetic conditions or abnormalities of the reproductive tract, can lead to infertility. Previous conditions like testicular cancer can damage the testicles or tissue, making conception difficult.

3. Modern life wages war on sperm

Perhaps the most common and dangerous challenges to male fertility are the many environmental factors impacting men today. For instance, studies show exposure to disruptive chemicals like bisphenol A disrupts male fertility. Exposure to chemicals at work, extremely high temperatures, or restrictive clothing all impact reproductive health in men. Some conditions, like diabetes and chronic stress, can lead to infertility. Lifestyle habits like excess alcohol consumption, smoking, poor sleep, and unhealthy diets can have a direct impact on sperm health. The long-term effects on sperm health, especially with age, cannot be overlooked.

Understanding your treatment options

The first step for improving the chances of conceiving is to speak with a reproductive specialist, particularly someone familiar with male reproductive health. This individual can complete a thorough evaluation of sperm health, hormones, physical health, and lifestyle to determine the root causes. These checks can help devise a treatment plan unique to the patient. Most couples consider assisted reproductive technology (ART), where clinics handle sperm and eggs outside the body to increase the chances of pregnancy. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common method. Some men may need intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is used to fertilize eggs, create embryos, and complete the IVF process.

Support and treatment lead to conception

Male infertility can impact confidence, lead to distress, and affect family goals. The goal is to get a diagnosis, understand the root causes, and take action. Some men can benefit from consistent lifestyle changes, while others need hormone medication or surgery for added support. Over time, these changes can improve fertility. If initial strategies fail, ART is the next best step. As men continue to embrace the possibility of infertility, there is renewed hope of conceiving or getting medical support in the future.