Male Infertility
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
Infertility can feel like a hopeless sentence for people dreaming of having a baby. But the support and camaraderie of people who are going through the same struggle can offer valuable perspective.
WHAT IS INFERTILITY?
Infertility is a problem of the reproductive system. It affects the body's ability to reproduce. It could be caused by a problem with the man’s system, the woman’s system, or both. For a pregnancy, these must happen:
- The man must make healthy sperm.
- The woman must make healthy eggs.
- The fallopian tubes must be open to let the sperm to reach the egg.
- The sperm must be able to fertilize the egg.
- The fertilized egg must implant in the uterus.
- The embryo must be healthy.
Causes of Infertility
When a couple is unable to conceive even after having frequent unprotected vaginal intercourse for 6-12 months, there is a possibility that one or both of the partners have infertility issues. Some of the major causes of infertility in men are as follows
- Hormonal imbalance (low testosterone levels)
- Low sperm motility
- Low sperm count
- Erectile Dysfunction or Impotence
- Acute premature ejaculation where the man ejaculates even before penetrating inside the vagina
- Low quantity of ejaculated semen
- Varicocele
- High pus cells indicating infection in semen
Symptoms of Infertility
Infertility is quite evident when a couple is unable to conceive a baby. Sometimes, there may be no other signs or symptoms. Although in few instances, people can notice certain changes. Some infertility symptoms seen in men are
- Sexual dysfunctions like low sex drive, unable to achieve an erection, early ejaculation, low volume of ejaculated semen.
Swelling with/without pain in the testicle area. - Hormonal imbalance. Gynecomastia.
- Low testosterone levels.