Infertility is a common problem for males. Conception is a complicated process and there are many obstacles. Fortunately, if you have infertility issues, that doesn’t automatically mean that you won’t be able to have your own child with your partner. There are treatments and procedures that can increase the chances of Conception.

Infertility is a problem with your reproductive system that stops you from impregnating a female. If a male and a female have repeated unprotected sex for over a year and the female doesn’t get pregnant then you, she, or both of you may have infertility issues.

Infertility is a common issue, with more than five million couples in the United States dealing with this problem. 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% of all males in the United States who are attempting to conceive suffer from infertility.

Conception is a complicated process that depends on many factors.

First is the production of healthy sperm by the male and healthy eggs by the female.
Unblocked fallopian tubes that allow the sperm to reach the egg.
The sperm's ability to fertilize the egg when they meet.
The ability of the fertilized egg (embryo) to become implanted in the female’s uterus.

Finally, for the pregnancy to continue to full term, the embryo must be healthy and the female’s hormonal environment adequate for its development. When just one of these factors is impaired, infertility can happen.

Some males are more likely than others to experience infertility.  if

1. You have overweight or obesity.

2.You’re age 40 or older.

3. You’ve been exposed to radiation.

4. You’ve been exposed to environmental toxins including lead, calcium, pesticides or mercury.

5.You use tobacco, marijuana or alcohol.

6. You’re taking some medications including cyproterone, flutamide, spironolactone, bicalutamide, cimetidine or ketoconazole.

7. You’re around heat that raises the temperature of your testes. Those who frequently use a sauna, hot tub or wheelchair might experience this.

8. You have a history of undescended testicle(s).

9. You have a history of varicoceles, which are widened veins in your scrotum.

9. You’ve been exposed to testosterone. Some males need injections, implants or topical gel for low testosterone.

Symptoms and Causes
What causes male infertility?

Many biological and environmental factors can impact your fertility.

Azoospermia: Your infertility can be related to your inability to produce sperm cells.

Oligospermia: The production of low or poor quality sperm.

Genetic diseases: Examples include Klinefeflter’s syndrome, myotonic dystrophy, microdeletion and more.

Malformed sperm: Sperm that cannot live long enough to fertilize the egg.

Some medical conditions: Examples include diabetes, some autoimmune disorders, cystic fibrosis and some infections.

Some medications and supplements.

Variococles: This is a condition where the veins on your testicles are larger than normal, causing them to overheat, which can affect the shape or number of your sperm.

Cancer treatments: Chemotherapy, radiation or a surgery that removes the testicles (one or both).

Unhealthy habits: Substance use, including alcohol, smoking and drugs.

Trauma to your testes.
Hormonal disorders: Disorders that affect your hypothalamus or pituitary glands can affect your infertility.

Symptoms of male infertility

The infertility itself is the symptom. However, it’s much more difficult to describe the negative psychological and emotional symptoms infertility has on a couple who wants to have children. Many times, conceiving a child becomes the total focus of their lives. Feelings of depression, loss, grief, inadequacy and failure are common in males as well as females seeking pregnancy.

Individuals or couples experiencing any of these feelings may want to seek professional help from healthcare providers like a therapist or psychiatrist experienced in dealing with infertility issues. Such providers can help you deal realistically with the situation and provide support even while you are going through treatment.

Diagnosis and Tests

Diagnosis begins with a complete physical examination to determine your general state of health and identify any physical problems that may impact your fertility.

 Your healthcare provider may also interview both you and your partner about your sexual habits. If the physical examination and history don’t indicate any reason for your inability to conceive, the next step may be to conduct testing to identify the cause of infertility.

Tests To Be Done

First, your healthcare provider may do a semen analysis. It determines the following:

Sperm volume: Amount of sperm per ejaculate

pH: A measurement of acidity or basicity.

Sperm concentration: Number of sperm per millimeter of semen.

Total sperm count: Number of sperm in your whole ejaculate.

Velocity: How fast your sperm travels.

Linearity: How straight your sperm moves.

Morphology: Size and shape of your sperm.

Viscosity: How fast your semen liquefies.

Next, your healthcare provider may do a detailed sperm analysis, which examines your sperms’:

Viability, or ability to survive.

Morphology, or quality and shape.

Motility, your sperm’s ability to move to the egg and fertilize it.

Other possible tests include:

Leukocytospermia quantitation/Endtz test.
Kruger's strict morphology classification.
W.H.O. morphology for sperm assessment.
Special staining for azoospermic specimen.
Semen biochemistry fructose test.
Sperm antibody tests (direct and indirect immunobead).
Reactive oxygen species.
Sperm DNA assessment.
Which healthcare providers diagnose male infertility?
Ask your primary healthcare provider to refer you to an urologist who specializes in male infertility. You may also work with a reproductive endocrinologist.

What questions might a healthcare provider ask to diagnose male infertility?
How long have you been trying to get your partner pregnant?
Have you gotten a partner pregnant in the past?
Do you smoke? Drink alcohol? Use recreational drugs?
What medications are you on?
Do you work in an environment where you’re exposed to chemicals?
Have you ever experienced trauma in your groin area, such as from a car crash?
Are you experiencing any mental health issues such as clinical depression?
What medical conditions do you have? Diabetes? An autoimmune disorder?
Have you ever been exposed to radiation?
Management and Treatment
How is male infertility treated?
With modern technology and methods, the number of treatment options for male infertility has expanded. Depending on the cause of infertility, treatments may include:

Medications:

Hormone therapy to increase the number of sperm.
Lifestyle changes:

Maintain a body weight that's healthy for you.
Stop smoking.
Stop drinking.
Stop using marijuana.
Stop any recreational drug use.