Causes Of Male Infertility
Millions of men throughout the world struggle with male infertility, which is a prevalent problem. The inability to become pregnant after a year of unprotected sex is known as infertility. The male partner is the only cause or a contributing factor in around one-third of cases of infertility. We advise couples on possible solutions and appropriate medical treatment by understanding the reasons for male infertility. Here are a few of the frequent reasons for male infertility.
- Having insufficient or poor sperm: Male infertility has several major causes, including low sperm count or poor sperm quality. The quantity of sperm in one millilitre of semen is known as the sperm count. 15 million to 200 million sperm per millilitre of semen is considered a good sperm count. Sperm that are abnormal in size, shape, or motility are referred to as having poor sperm quality. These problems might make it challenging for sperm to reach an egg and fertilise it.
- Hormonal irregularities: Male infertility might result from hormonal abnormalities that interfere with sperm production. The testicles and pituitary glands produce hormones that regulate the generation of sperm. A hormonal imbalance might cause low sperm counts or inadequate sperm quality. Doctors at Medicheck hospital suggest numerous underlying factors could be the cause of low testosterone and other hormonal issues.
- Genetic problems: Male infertility may also be influenced by genetic factors. Male reproductive organs grow abnormally in the presence of genetic disorders such as Klinefelter syndrome, in which males have two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome at birth rather than one X and one Y. Moreover, Kallmann’s syndrome and cystic fibrosis are chromosomal syndromes linked to infertility.
- Environmental factors: Male infertility might also be brought on by environmental factors. Toxins, including lead, radiation, and pesticides, can harm sperm and impact fertility. Infertility can also be caused by lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking alcohol, and abusing drugs.
- Medical conditions: Male infertility might also be brought on by specific medical disorders. It is possible for autoimmune illnesses, diabetes, and high blood pressure to have an impact on sperm function and production. Several of the drugs prescribed to address these ailments may potentially harm fertility.
- Ejaculation issues: When semen during orgasm enters the bladder rather than coming out of the tip of the penis, this is known as retrograde ejaculation. Diabetes, spinal injuries, drugs, and surgeries on the bladder, prostate, or urethra are just a few of the medical problems that might result in retrograde ejaculation.
IVF Treatment Approach To Treat Male Infertility
For couples who are having trouble getting pregnant, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a popular fertility therapy method. IVF is frequently thought of as a treatment for female infertility; however, it can also be employed by us for treating male infertility. Several things, such as low sperm counts, slow sperm movement, or aberrant sperm size or shape, can bring on male infertility. Natural fertilisation of an egg may be hampered by these problems, necessitating IVF.
Injections of intracytoplasmic sperm are commonly used during our IVF treatment for male infertility (ICSI). With ICSI, an egg is fertilised by a single sperm that is subsequently placed inside of it and put into the uterus. This method avoids the requirement for the sperm to swim and fertilise the egg on its own.
The male partner must supply a sample of semen before ICSI may start. The quantity, quality, and velocity of the sperm in the semen sample will be evaluated. ICSI could be suggested if the semen analysis shows that there are insufficient viable sperm present for natural conception. The female partner will get hormone injections to encourage the production of numerous eggs before the ICSI procedure. Once they are fully developed, the eggs are removed from the ovaries and fertilised using ICSI.
After fertilisation, the eggs are observed by our doctors for a few days to make sure they are growing normally. The embryos are transported by catheter to the uterus at specific developmental stages. With different success rates based on the underlying reason for male infertility, IVF treatment for infertility in males can be helpful. In up to 50% of cases, IVF with ICSI can produce a viable pregnancy when the male partner has a low sperm count or poor sperm velocity. Success chances could be decreased when one partner is a man with serious sperm abnormalities.
Note that IVF therapy provided by us for male infertility can be costly and may not be reimbursed by insurance. There are additional hazards connected with the therapy, including the chance of multiple pregnancies and the potential for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in the female spouse.
Factors That Influence The IVF Treatment For Male Infertility
IVF can be used to treat male infertility even though it is frequently associated with female infertility. We use IVF to treat male infertility, but there are a number of variables that can affect how well it works.
- The sperm’s quality is one of the main variables that can impact IVF treatment for male infertility. Age, genetics, lifestyle choices like smoking and drinking, and exposure to pollutants from the environment are just a few of the variables that might have an impact on sperm quality. The outcome of IVF treatment may be impacted by low-quality sperm’s ability to successfully fertilise an egg.
- The existence of underlying medical issues is another aspect that may influence how successful IVF treatment for male infertility works. It can be more challenging to accomplish fertilisation when conditions including varicocele, swelling of the testicular veins, and infections of the reproductive system
impair sperm production and function
- The timing of the IVF cycle might also influence the effectiveness of treatment for male infertility. While performing IVF, it may be necessary to time it to fall during the sperm’s peak phase, which varies based on several circumstances.
- The use of specific drugs or dietary supplements might also impact the effectiveness of male infertility IVF treatment. Steroids and some herbal supplements have been proven to lower sperm quality, whereas other drugs may be used to increase sperm production and function.
- The outcome of our IVF treatment for male infertility may also depend on the age of the male partner. The number and quality of sperm produced by males tend to decrease with age, which can affect fertilisation success and diminish IVF treatment success rates.