Male infertility is a prevalent issue. There are various challenges in the difficult process of conception. Fortunately, having infertility problems does not preclude you from having a kid of your own with your partner. There are procedures and therapies that can raise the likelihood of conception.

Male infertility: What is it?

A reproductive system issue known as infertility prevents you from becoming pregnant with a female. You, she, or both of you may have infertility concerns if a man and a female engage in recurrent unprotected sex for more than a year and the female doesn’t become pregnant.

How frequent is infertility in men?

More than five million couples in the United States struggle with infertility, making it a widespread issue. Infertility affects one in every six couples who are trying to conceive. In at least half of all cases of infertility, a male factor is a major or contributing cause. This means that about 10 percent of all males in the United States who are attempting to conceive suffer from infertility.

Symptoms

The main sign of male infertility is the inability to conceive a child. There may be no other obvious signs or symptoms. However, in some cases, an underlying problem such as a hereditary disease, hormonal imbalance, dilated veins around the testicles, or a condition that blocks the passage of sperm causes signs and symptoms. Signs and symptoms you may notice include:

• Problems with sexual function – for example, difficulty ejaculating or passing small amounts of fluid, decreased sex drive, or difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• Pain, swelling, or lumps in the testicle area
• Recurrent respiratory infections
• Inability to smell
• Abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia)
• Decreased facial or body hair or other signs of a chromosomal or hormonal abnormality
• A lower than normal sperm count (less than 15 million sperm per millilitre of semen or a total sperm count of less than 39 million per ejaculation

Risk factors

Risk factors associated with male infertility include:

• Smoking tobacco
• Use of alcohol
• Use of certain illegal drugs
• To be overweight
• Have certain past or present infections
• Be exposed to toxins
• Overheating of the testicles
• After trauma to the testicles
• After a previous vasectomy or major abdominal or pelvic surgery
• Have a history of undescended testicles
• Being born with a fertility disorder or having a blood relative with a fertility disorder
• Certain medical conditions, including tumours and chronic diseases such as sickle cell anaemia
• Taking certain medications or medical treatments such as surgery or radiation to treat cancer

Complications

Complications of male infertility can include:

• Stress and relationship problems related to the inability to have a child
• Expensive and complicated reproduction techniques
• Increased risk of testicular cancer, melanoma, colon cancer and prostate cancer

Prevention

Male infertility is not always preventable. However, you can try to avoid some known causes of male infertility. For example:

• Do not smoke.
• Limit or avoid alcohol.
• Stay away from illegal drugs.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Don’t get a vasectomy.
• Avoid things that cause prolonged heat to the testicles.
• Reduce stress.
• Avoid contact with pesticides, heavy metals and other toxins.

When to the doctor

See a doctor if you have not had a baby after a year of regular, unprotected sex, or sooner if you have any of the following problems:

• Erection or ejaculation problems, low sex drive, or other sexual function problems
• Pain, discomfort, a lump, or swelling in the testicle area
• A history of testicular, prostate, or sexual problems
• A groin, testicle, penis, or scrotum surgery
• A partner over 35 years