One-third of the cases of infertility in couples are because of male fertility factors. The typical reasons for male infertility range from physical to psychological issues and even lifestyle choices are known to affect male reproductive health profoundly.
In this article, Dr. Niren Rao, a leading urologist at Dr. Niren Rao’s Urology Practice, explains the reasons for male infertility. The expert urologist is widely known for offering the best Infertility Treatment in Delhi. Continue reading for more insights.
Before proceeding, let us understand what male infertility is.
Male infertility refers to the inability to produce sperm or to produce healthy sperm while intercourse that fertilises with the female egg. It is the inability of couples to get pregnant after one year of regular and non-contraceptive sexual intercourse. According to a report, male infertility remains the contributing factor for 40 percent of infertile couples. The testing for male infertility is completed at the initial stages of infertility treatment, while a female is tested too.
What are the Symptoms of Male Infertility?
One of the common symptoms of male infertility is impotence, which is the inability to achieve and maintain an erect penis during sexual intercourse. Another sign of male fertility issues is retrograde ejaculation, which causes a "dry orgasm" because the semen is ejaculated into the male's bladder rather than out of the body.
How is Male Infertility Diagnosed?
The tests advised by the physician to diagnose male infertility include the following:
General physical exam and medical history to have a better understanding of the patient’s general health.
Semen testing provides information on the number of sperms with sound structure and shape, the production quantity, sperm motility and sperm quality.
Hormone level indicates whether sperm production is functioning normally and confirms that antibodies are not killing sperm.
Genetic tests are done to confirm any chromosomal issues.
Ultrasounds are done to assess the abnormalities of the internal reproductive organs.
Biopsies are done to evaluate any infection.
Specialised sperm tests are conducted to determine how well the sperm functions and survives after ejaculation and to determine if the sperm is intact and moving correctly.
What Causes Infertility in Males?
Following are the primary causes of male infertility by Dr. Niren Rao, the Best Urologist in Delhi:
1. Hormonal Factors: Hormones that are responsible for controlling the testes and normal production of sperms are regulated by the hypothalamus and pituitary. The disturbances in the hormones can affect testosterone synthesis and sperm production. Also, very high FS and LH blood levels may indicate that the testicles have stopped working.
2. Varicocele: Varicocele is an enlargement of the veins in the scrotal sack, which increases the temperature of the testes and affects the quantity and quality of sperm. The treatment for this condition is a part of the male infertility investigation.
3. Obesity: Fat deposits can overload and affect the metabolism of androgens (hormones that play a role in male traits and reproductive activity), especially testosterone, so a BMI above 30 can affect sperm quality. The growth of sperm and the sperm DNA in the nucleus are significantly altered due to this.
4. Smoking: Inhaled substances have a significant and negative effect on sperm quality because of nicotine and cannabinoid receptors present in testicular tissue. Nicotine has a poor impact on the body as it causes an imbalance called oxidative stress. This affects the quality of sperm and fertilisation potential. Similarly, cocaine also distorts sperm development. However, stopping smoking and drugs causes reversal of most of the spermatic damages but only after several months of discontinuation.
5. Infections and Diseases: Several infections could lead to atrophy of the testes. These include brucellosis, chlamydia, influenza, gonorrhea, mumps, smallpox, syphilis, tuberculosis and typhoid. Low sperm counts, poor sperm motility and a rise in FSH and LH levels are treated by hormone replacement therapy.
6. Certain Surgeries and Medications: The production of sperm can be reduced by medicines such as testosterone replacement treatment, anabolic steroids, chemotherapy, and some antifungal and ulcer medications. The treatment consists of surgeries or the retrieval of sperm from the epididymis and testicles. Vasectomy, inguinal hernia repairs, scrotal or testicular surgery, prostate surgery, and major abdominal surgery are examples of procedures that can lower sperm counts.
7. Radiation: Men are strongly advised not to keep cell phones close to the scrotum and testicles to reduce risk, as the impact of mobile radiation can affect male infertility. A less avoidable cause of radiation exposure is cancer treatment(chemotherapy). The fertility preservation procedure, in this instance, includes the extraction and freezing of spermatogonial stem cells and cutting-edge techniques like testicular biopsy.
8. Nutrition: Antioxidant-rich foods can help maintain male fertility. Examples of foods rich in antioxidants include cheese (which contains vitamin A), oranges (which have vitamin C), sunflower seeds (which contain vitamin E), salmon (which contains omega-3 fatty acids), broccoli (which contains folic acid), and beans and artichokes.
9. Supplements and Steroids: Certain food supplements should not be used without professional advice as they impact one’s health and fertility. Testosterone injections can also severely impact the production of sperm. Excessive intake of coffee can also have an influence, mainly if there is an underlying fertility problem.
10. High Testicular Temperature: Male genital organs hang outside the body in the scrotal sac (often having a low temperature as compared to the other organs). Even a 2 or 3-degree centigrade increase in the testicular temperature can harm the functionality and quantity of sperm. Risk factors can include working in high-temperature professions, sitting down for long hours, wearing tight underwear, and using a laptop on the lap for an extended period of time.
Treatment for Male Infertility at Dr. Niren Rao’s Urology Practice
At Dr. Niren Rao’s Urology Practice, the expert urologist properly evaluates the male partner, which is necessary for all couples. It begins with a simple physical examination and semen and hormonal analysis. Depending on the examination and reports, the expert doctor makes a diagnosis of obstructive or non-obstructive azoospermia.
The treatment options for treating male infertility at the clinic include VEA(vaso-epididymal anastomosis), obstructive or non-obstructive azoospermia, PESA, TESA and Micro – TESE.
To learn more about Infertility Treatment in Delhi, make an appointment with Dr. Niren Rao, a leading urologist at Dr. Niren Rao’s Urology Practice.
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