Cases of male infertility have been rising lately.
According to a survey, around 15 percent of families are facing problems in conceiving.
In other words, they are not able to conceive a child, even after indulging in frequent, unprotected sex for a year or longer than that.
In around one-third of this 15% of couples, the major cause of the inability to conceive was found to be male infertility.
Male infertility can be caused because of several reasons like low sperm secretion, abnormal sperm functioning, or prevention of delivery of sperms.
These problems might arise due to injuries, illness, health problems, or even your poor lifestyle!
Inability to conceive a child might feel to be frustrating, thus it is important to understand the importance of treatment of male infertility.
But what’s more important is to understand the male infertility causes and symptoms.
Thus here is a blog that deals with all the minute details about male infertility that you must know about.
What Is Male Infertility?
Conceiving a baby is a natural process, but most couples fail to experience this bundle of happiness.
One of the leading reasons behind this is male infertility.
Male infertility mainly depends on the quantity and quality of sperm.
If your ejaculation fails to provide enough sperm, or if the quality of sperm turns out to be poor, it might be very difficult for your partner to get pregnant.
To be more precise, it might even become impossible after a certain point in time.
Now the question is how to understand whether you are facing such issues!
Let us answer that for you.
In case you are trying to get pregnant for the last 12 months while indulging in unprotected sex at least twice a week, we suggest you consult a doctor.
Moreover, you already have an idea of what could be impacting your chances of conceiving, it’s better to go for a consultation in time.
However, in case you are diagnosed with male infertility, there is nothing much to worry about as it is quite common these days.
How Common Is Male Infertility?
The cases of infertility are quite common these days.
In 20% of the cases where a couple is facing conceiving issues, the problem lies in the man. For the rest 30% the problem lies in both the partners.
Thus, you can see that in half of the cases, the man is responsible for the conceiving issue.
According to a survey, in every 20 men, there is one man who has a low number of sperms leading to infertility.
But only 1 out of every 100 men has no sperm at all in his ejaculation.
Thus, you can see that male infertility is not at all a rare case.
With that being said, we move ahead with our blog in our next section that helps you with the symptoms of male infertility.
Male Infertility Symptoms
One of the major signs of male infertility is the inability to conceive a child. However, there might be some other obvious signs.
In some cases, male infertility can be caused by inherited diseases, hormonal imbalance, and dilated veins around the testes that cause the prevention of passage of sperms.
Apart from this, men facing male infertility do experience some common signs like:
- Sexual problems – different types of sexual problems like small amounts of ejaculation, difficulty in ejaculating, low libido, or poor erections.
- Pain or swelling of tissues around the testes
- Respiratory issues
- Loss of smell
- Gynecomastia – the swelling of breasts
- Signs of hormonal imbalance – excess growth of hair on the body, or even less growth of hair on the body.
- Low sperm count – total sperm count when found to be less than 39 million, is a clear sign of male infertility.
These were some of the symptoms you might look for when you find difficulty in conceiving.
With that being said, let us now move our focus towards the causes of this grave issue.
Male Infertility Causes
There are many causes of male infertility. The causes could range from medical problems to your poor lifestyle.
Let us look at these closely to understand how you can prevent yourself from falling into such problems.
First, we look at some of the medical causes behind male infertility
#1. Medical causes
Several health issues and medical treatments can be the reason behind your male infertility.
Some of these cases are:
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Varicocele
In a varicocele, you experience swelling of the veins draining the testes. It is one of the most common causes of male infertility but can be easily treated.
Varicocele mainly causes a drop in the quality of sperms you produce.
Treating this medical problem can improve your sperm count and many reproductive functions.
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Infections
Some infections might affect your reproductive health like blocking the passage of your sperm while interfering with your sperm health.
Infections might result in inflammation of epididymis or testis while also causing sexually transmitted diseases.
However, some of these problems can be revived apart from the testicular damage done.
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Ejaculation problems
In some cases, semen might enter the bladder instead of moving out from the tip of the penis during orgasm.
This might happen due to many underlying health issues like diabetes and injuries like spinal injuries.
However, in most cases, people with spinal injuries cannot ejaculate even if they have good quality sperm.
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Antibodies attacking sperm
Certain antibodies like an anti-spam immunity cell might identify your sperm as harmful invaders and destroy them.
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Undescended testis
In some males, one or both testicles fail to descend into the sac from the abdomen during fetal development.
In such cases, men mostly face male infertility issues.
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Hormonal imbalance
Infertility can be caused by damage to the testicles itself or its abnormal effect on hormonal secretions of other systems like the hypothalamus and pituitary.
The interference with other systems leads to low secretion of hormones like testosterone leading to infertility.
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Defects in the tubules transporting sperm
Different tubes are responsible for transporting sperms. These tubes can get blocked because of various reasons like an injury during surgeries, infections, trauma, or abnormal development.
This blockage can be at any level and still affects the transportation of sperm leading to male infertility.
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Chromosome defects
There are inherited disorders like Klinefelter’s syndrome- in which a male is born with two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome, instead of one X and one Y chromosome.
This causes abnormal development of male reproductive organs.
Some other inherited disorders that cause male infertility are – Cystic Fibrosis, Kallmann’s syndrome, and Kartagener’s syndrome.
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Problems in sexual intercourse
Some problems that might arise during sexual intercourse like, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, painful sex, abnormalities like urethral opening beneath the penis, or psychological problems that prevent you from having sex.
These lead to male infertility.
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Celiac disease
It is a digestive disorder caused by sensitivity to gluten. This can cause male infertility.
However, you might indulge in a gluten-free diet to improve your fertility.
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Medications
Many medications don’t go well with fertility. Testosterone replacement therapy, anabolic steroid use, chemotherapy, and many antifungal medications can cause interference with fertility.
They do so by hampering the quality of your sperm.
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Surgeries
There are many surgeries like vasectomy, and large abdominal surgeries prevent you from ejaculating enough sperm.
In most cases, your lost fertility can be revived by reversing these blockages or by retrieving sperm directly from the testes and epididymis.
Next, we have a look at the environmental causes.
#2. Environmental Causes
Certain toxins, chemicals, and heat in the environment can have a serious effect on your sexual health.
Some environmental causes of male infertility include:
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Industrial chemicals
Chemicals have always been harmful to not only your physical health but also your sexual health.
Exposures to benzenes, toluene, xylene, herbicides, and pesticides may contribute to low sperm production.
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Metal exposure
Exposure to lead and other heavy metals have a direct impact on male fertility.
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Radiation
Exposure to radiation causes a drop in sperm production. However, this is reversible and soon changes back to normal.
However, high exposure can lead to a permanent decrease in sperm production.
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Overheating your testes
High temperatures around your testes may lead to impaired sperm production.
Studies point towards the lowering in sperm count caused after using a hot tub or saunas for a longer duration.
Moreover, sitting in tight clothes, or working on laptops and computers for a long duration may also raise your scrotal temperature causing a reduction in sperm count.
With that being said, we move ahead towards some of the lifestyle issues that cause male infertility.
#3. Lifestyle
Some of the other causes of male infertility are:
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Drug abuse
Some of the anabolic steroids that are taken for building muscles can cause your testes to shrink leading to a decrease in sperm production.
Using other drugs like cocaine can have a temporary effect on reducing your sperm count.
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Alcohol
Alcohol can cause a decrease in sperm count while causing erectile dysfunction too in some cases.
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Tobacco
When men who smoke were compared to men who don’t, it was found that the former has a lower sperm count than the latter.
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Stress
Stress has a fever effect on your hormones responsible for sperm production leading to male infertility.
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Depression
According to research, pregnancy might be a problem if the male partner is undergoing severe depression.
Moreover, depression in men is a leading cause behind sexual dysfunction, as it causes low libido, erectile dysfunction, or delay in ejaculation.
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Weight
Obesity has been directly linked to poor fertility as it causes severe hormonal imbalance.
Thus overall, you need to be very careful while choosing a lifestyle as your lifestyle can have a direct impact on your sexual life.
With that being said, let us move ahead with our next section that focuses on how male infertility is diagnosed.
How Is Infertility Diagnosed?
Once you visit your doctor, he will usually ask you for your medical history and conduct a physical examination followed by the male infertility test that includes your semen analysis.
This test will define your sperm shape, amount, and motility.
Your doctor might also ask for a blood test to have a check on your hormone levels that determine your sperm production.
In some cases, a urine test is done to check for any sperm traces which usually occurs during retrograde ejaculation.
Sometimes, a doctor can also ask for an ultrasound, MRI, or a testicular biopsy, which is done by analyzing a small tissue from your penis.
Now once you are diagnosed with infertility, the next step is to get the best treatment.
Thus, here in our next section, we take on the treatments for male infertility.
What Are The Treatments For Infertility?
One out of every 8 men suffering from infertility has a treatable condition and after treatment, couples can conceive.
However, in some cases, doctors might suggest a couple undergo reproductive treatment like in vitro fertilization.
But these methods don’t treat infertility rather give you a chance to conceive.
Apart from this, if you search for treatments for genetic male infertility, no such treatment has been found.
But you can try out some natural ways to boost your fertility instead of searching for male infertility medicine.
10 Ways to Boost Male Fertility and Increase Sperm Count
Infertility can have many causes as you saw in our above sections. But a healthy diet and the right ways can help you get back on track.
Thus here are some ways which you can try to boost your fertility and sperm count:
#1. D-Aspartic Acid Supplements
A D-Aspartic Acid is a form of amino acids that have been sold in the market as supplements.
It is mainly present in your testicles and helps promote semen and sperm production.
Moreover, researchers claim to have found that men with infertility problems tend to have lower D-AA content than men with normal sperm production.
Many studies also show that D-AA can actively boost up your testosterone levels leading to a healthy sexual life.
For example, a study claims to have found that when infertile men took 2.7 grams of D-AA for 3 months, they saw a boost in sperm motility and testosterone levels by 60-100% and 30-60% respectively.
Thus, we can say that D-AA can boost fertility in men having low testosterone levels.
#2. Exercises
Exercises are good for your health but did you know they also have a friendship with your fertility?
Studies show that men who indulge in daily exercise tend to have better testosterone levels than men who don’t.
But over-exercising can reverse this effect!
Thus, make sure you exercise daily to keep your testosterone levels and fertility rate healthy.
#3. Vitamin C
There is some evidence which points towards Vitamin C can improve fertility.
According to a study done on infertile men, giving 1000 mg of Vitamin C twice daily for 2 months to the participants had remarkable results.
The results showed a boost in sperm motility by 92% and a boost in sperm count by more than 100%! Moreover, it also reduced the number of abnormal sperms by 55%.
Thus, we can say that taking Vitamin C is beneficial for your fertility as well as sperm health.
#4. Minimizing stress
Stress can not only affect your fertility but also cause hindrance in your sexual satisfaction.
According to the leading researchers, the adverse effects of stress are partly due to the hormone cortisol.
Prolonged cases of stress raise your cortisol levels which hampers your testosterone levels.
While you can surely go for medications to treat severe anxiety, you can try some natural methods to relieve mild stress.
#5 Taking Vitamin D
Vitamin D is important for both men’s and women’s fertility.
According to an observation, people suffering from Vitamin D deficiency tend to have lower testosterone levels and consequently lower fertility rates.
Moreover, a controlled study done on 65 men with low testosterone and Vitamin D deficiency showed that 3000 IU of Vitamin D3 daily for 1 year boosted the T-levels in these participants.
You can also try Vitamin D for better sperm motility.
#6. Tribulus Terrestris
It is a medicinal herb that has been used to treat male fertility for a long time.
According to a study, men with low sperm counts showed better libido when giving 6 grams of Tribulus twice daily for two months
While it does not boost your testosterone levels, studies point towards its properties of boosting libido.
#7. Fenugreek supplements
A study was done on 30 men who were undergoing strength training four times a week was done to analyze the role of 500 mg fenugreek taken daily.
Results showed these men to have higher testosterone levels and lower fat levels.
Another study showed fenugreek enhancing libido, sexual performance, and strength in the
Thus, fenugreek can be a real good libido booster.
But let us also highlight that the above results were done based on fenugreek extract and not the whole fenugreek.
#8. Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral that your body needs.
Studies show that zinc deficiency has been linked to low testosterone levels and increased risk of male fertility.
Moreover, zinc supplements have also shown a positive boost in T-levels along with enhancing sperm counts.
Thus, taking an adequate amount of zinc will prove to be beneficial for you.
#9. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb that has been popularly resulting in better fertility rates by enhancing testosterone levels.
One study showed men getting better at sperm count by taking 675 g of ashwagandha roots extract per day for 3 months.
Moreover, this study also saw it boosting testosterone levels, sperm count, semen volume, and sperm motility
These findings clearly show that Ashwagandha supplements can boost your fertility rate as well as other sexual functions.
#10. Eating Maca Root
Maca root supplements have an active role in boosting testosterone levels as well as your fertility and performance.
Several studies show that taking 1.5 to 3 grams of maca root for 3 months can enhance your sexual desire and libido.
Moreover, some studies also show that maca root has a positive effect in treating erectile dysfunction and giving you better sexual performance.
Another finding states that taking 1.75 grams of maca root every day for 3 months can help enhance your sperm count.
Altogether, these findings point towards maca supplements being effective in improving your fertility rate.
Conclusion
Male infertility cases have been climbing high. But there is nothing to worry about as in most of the cases it is treatable.
However, many men don’t open up about such a disease and thus have a lack of knowledge about it.
Thus, to help such men here we have presented a complete guide on what male infertility is and how you can deal with it.
The above blog highlights all the important details that one must have to stay away from such disorders and get the best treatment.
With this, we come to the end of our blog hoping that the information comes in handy for you.
