Male Factor Infertility
Causes and treatments for male reproductive disorders
This article explains what male factor infertility is and looks at possible causes for it, treatments and ways of naturally boosting a man's fertility.
Male Factor Infertility are infertility problems of the male partner. These problems can include: poor sperm quality, motility, a low sperm count or a lack of sperm altogether, a blockage in the epididymis (tubes inside the scrotum where sperm is stored), or a blocked vas deferens (a tube through which the sperm travel to be mixed with semen ready for ejaculation). Another problem can also be undescended testicles. The testicles are supposed to drop prior to adolescence but sometimes this doesn’t happen and can lead to sterility as they are then too warm for sperm to stay alive within them. Around 35% of infertility cases are due to male factor infertility.
What can cause these infertility problems?
Having too many hot baths can reduce sperm count
Smoking
Drinking, especially large amounts
Wearing tight underwear
Previous treatments for cancer and other illnesses
Underdevelopment during puberty
Hormonal Problems.
Sometimes the cause of the problem is not known.
Treatments Available:
Natural ways a man can increase his chances of fathering a baby are: wearing looser clothing (boxer shorts are good), giving up smoking and drinking at least 3 months prior to trying to conceive, eating a healthy diet including lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and taking a vitamin supplement.
There are also many medical treatments available:
If the man has a blockage, surgery can be done to unblock his tubes.
Fertility drugs can be given to increase a poor sperm count, or in the case of no sperm, donor sperm can be used.
If there are small numbers of sperm or sperm with poor motility (ability to swim correctly), then a single sperm can be injected into the egg to achieve fertilisation. This procedure is called intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
Over 80% of couples who are trying to conceive, do so within one year. If you have been having regular, unprotected sex for more than one year and have not achieved pregnancy, you can go to your healthcare provider to be referred for the appropriate tests.
