Male Fertility
The social taboo associated with pregnancy often holds the women responsible for not being able to bear a child. The little or no knowledge of “Male Infertility” makes the issue more concerning. Nearly one in every seven infertile couples (the couple who are unable to conceive even after repeated unprotected intercourse) are diagnosed with concerns related to “Male Infertility.”
The inability to conceive a child can be emotionally draining and stressful, but medical advancements have provided a cure. There are multiple treatment options available for treating medical concerns related to “Male Infertility.”
Do You Have Any Questions?
The Cause and Symptoms of Male Infertility
The main sign of male infertility is the inability to conceive a child despite repeated unprotected intercourse. Multiple underlying concerns lead to the problem of infertility, such as-
- Blocked testicles
- Cognitive disability
- Chromosome defects
- Hormonal imbalance
- Undescended testicles.
- Prior unsuccessful surgeries
- Dilated veins around the testicle
- Defects of tubules that transport sperm
- Varicocele (swelling in the veins of the testicles)
- Sexually transmitted infections such as-
- Gonorrhoea
- HIV
- Infection such as-
- Inflammation of the testicles (orchitis)
- Inflammation of the epididymis (epididymitis)
- Ejaculation issues or retrograded ejaculation because of reasons such as-
- Surgery of the bladder, urethra, prostate
- Spinal injuries
- Diabetes
- Medications
- Antibodies that affect the sperm count and mobility
- Cancerous growth that affects the male reproductive gland
- Defects of tubules that transport sperm
Furthermore, the lifestyle that one leads also impacts one’s reproductive health. There are multiple risk factors associated with male infertility, the details provided below-
- Obesity
- Using alcohol
- Having repeated infections
- Exposure to toxins
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Drug consumption
- Having a history of undescended testicles
- Having experienced trauma in the testicular area (like an accident)
Having a prior surgery like-
-
- Vasectomy
- Abdominal surgery
- Pelvic surgery
- Genetic reasons like having a history of family fertility disorder
- Having certain medical conditions like-
- Tumours
- Chronic illnesses
- Sickle cell disease
If one has the underlying problem of male infertility, then one will be suffering from the listed signs and symptoms-
- Inability to smell
- Problems with sexual function like-
- Reduced sexual desire (libido)
- Premature ejaculation
- Small volumes of fluid ejaculated
- Difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- Recurrent respiratory infections
- A lower than normal sperm count
- Abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia)
- Swelling, pain or a lump in the testicle area
But with assisted guidance and treatment, the problem concerning male infertility can be easily treated. Couples who have male infertility have embraced parenthood with the help of the available fertility treatment options.
The Preventive Measures
Male infertility is not always preventable, but conscious lifestyle changes can improve reproductive health. By making the changes, you can improve your overall health and avoid some known causes of male infertility. Thus try to-
- Quit smoking
- Reduce stress.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Avoid consumption of drugs.
- Do not take any unprescribed medicines.
- Limit or abstain from alcohol or drugs.
However, to get a solution to the problem concerning male infertility, it is best to seek professional guidance. With proper medical assistance and care, you sure can embrace parenthood.
The Diagnosis
To diagnose whether the concerned person has the underlying medical condition of “male infertility”, the following treatment courses are recommended by the experts-
- Physical Examination: In this, the medical professional examines the genitals and checks the medical history of the concerned person. A series of questions are asked to draft the treatment course henceforth.
- Semen analysis: It is the most important and integral part of the treatment procedure that concerns male infertility.
Furthermore, the doctor recommends additional tests to identify the cause of infertility and plan the treatment further. The test recommended includes-
- Blood test
- Genetic tests
- Testicular biopsy.
- Hormone testing.
- Scrotal ultrasound.
- Transrectal ultrasound.
- Post-ejaculation urinalysis
- Specialised sperm function tests (Like CASA/DFI)
Treatments Options for male infertility:
Medical advancements have provided a cure for male infertility. Treatment options available include-
- Surgery-
- Sperm Retrieval like TESA/PESA
- Vasectomy reversal
- Vasoepididymostomy (Blockages in the vas deferens)
- Medications (for treating infection)
- Hormone treatments (as medicines can cause male infertility).
- Assisted reproductive technology (ART) like-
- In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
The Takeaway
To get the best advice on the same and the most affordable treatment for the same, you can always schedule your appointment with the experts at Petals IVF. They offer the best fertility treatment in Delhi NCR.
Your dreams are our passion. At PETALS IVF, We help you cover the journey from “couples to parents.”
To learn more, schedule your appointment now.
FAQs
Can a male opt for fertility preservation?
Contrary to popular belief, fertility preservation is not only an option for females. Even men can opt for it if he-
- Has experienced trauma
- Is planning to have children later in life
- Has been diagnosed with cancer at a young age
- Is having low sperm counts for no known reason
- Is having a high-risk work, like military deployment
- Has been diagnosed with an autoimmune, hormone or genetic disorder
- Is expected to have surgery that can impact reproductive health.
What are the options available for fertility preservation available for men?
Urologists or endocrinologists is a medical professional who has been specially trained to treat male fertility problems. Male fertility-saving options are:
- Sperm banking [in this, the sperm is frozen (cryopreservation) for future use]
- Testicular sperm extraction [the surgeon removes small pieces of testicular tissue (biopsy). If the tissue contains sperm, the sperm are either frozen or used for the further process].
- Gonadal shielding ( the testicles are shielded from radiation during treatment to prevent any damage to sperm)
- Electro or vibratory ejaculation.
How much does the sperm retrieval process and storage cost?
The cost of the sperm bank and sperm retrieval process varies from clinic to clinic. The final cost is determined by various factors like:
- The clinic chosen for the procedure.
- Type of procedure and how long it takes
- Whether the sperm will be used now or will be frozen for later use.
To understand the process of the sperm retrieval process, better book an appointment with the experts at Petal IVF.
Do all men become infertile after cancer treatment?
No, not all men become infertile after cancer treatment. It is a popular misconception and needs to be cleared right away. The impact that cancer treatment has on fertility depends on the listed factors:
- Dose and place of radiation therapy
- Type and dose (amount) of chemotherapy
- The concerned person’s age (risk of infertility rises with age)
- Site of surgery (especially if needed in the pelvic area)
What are the options available for treating male infertility?
The treatment options available for treating concerns related to male infertility includes-
- Surgery
- Treating infections.
- Treatments for sexual intercourse problems
- Hormone treatments and medications
- Assisted reproductive technology (ART) like-
- In Vitro fertilisation (IVF)
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)