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Male infertility: Causes and treatment

Male infertility: Causes And Treatment

Infertility is the inability to achieve pregnancy even after one year of regular and unprotected intercourse. Failure in attaining the first pregnancy can be due to infertility problem in either of the couple. About 1/3 of the infertility issues are with males. The causes of male infertility ranges from physical damage to hormonal disturbances to psychological problems. Treatment is available which works in certain number of cases.

Causes of Male Infertility

1. Obstructive problem
This is the blockage in sperm carrying tubes, i.e., vas deferens. This can be as a result of surgery, trauma to scrotum that covers the testicles, infection or previous vasectomy. There is a possibility of congenital absence of one or both of the tubes from birth.

2. Testicular damage or disease
Testicular damage or certain infection affecting the testicles can cause a permanent damage to sperm production mechanism in men’s body. This can be due to sudden hit or trauma to the testicles, where the blood supply to the testicles is stopped completely. Viral infections like mumps lead to orchitis, i.e., painful swelling of testicles. Undescended testicles can also affect sperm production.

3. Hormonal disturbances
There are several hormonal disorders that results in male infertility.
a. Hypothyroidism: In this disorder level of thyroid hormone is low. That causes testicular dysfunctioning, low quality of semen, and libido.
b. Hypogonadotropic: It is the low level of production of LH and FSh hormone by the pituitary gland. This results in loss of germ cells.
c. Hyperprolactinemia: This is an elevation in level of prolactin hormone. This reduces sperm production and libido.
4. Varicocele
Varicocele is the dilation of the veins that drain blood from the testicles toward the abdomen. This condition is found to be present in 40 percent of infertile men.

5. Sperm disorders
This is a disorder of sperm count, motility, and morphology. In this sperms are not able to fertilize an egg and thus create nonviable embryo.

6. Genetic disorders
Chromosomal abnormality can occur in men that results in infertility due to disruption in cell division and sperm production. One of the most common disorders is Klinefelter’s syndrome, where the male has 44XXY chromosome instead of 44XY. This leads to symptoms like small testicles and enlarged breasts.

7. Physical or psychological problems with erection and ejaculation
a. Erectile Dysfunction
– this is the inability to hold on the erection for an adequate period of time.
b. Premature ejaculation – it is ejaculation within 30 seconds of insertion of penis into vagina.
c. Ejaculation incompetence – this is a psychological inability to ejaculate during intercourse while the person can do it normally during masturbation.

8. Medical disorders
There are certain ailments that reduce fertility in men. These are influenza, diabetes, renal failure, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, chronic alcoholism, and stress.

9. Drugs
There are certain recreational drugs that when abused can reduce fertility in men or can result in complete impotence. The drugs are like alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, steroids, and opiates. Certain prescribed drugs also affect fertility. Like digoxin affects hormone production, gentamicin, and colchicine reduce sperm count etc.

Diagnosis of Male Infertility

1. Physical examination
Examination of scrotum and testes is done to check for any physical abnormalities.
2. Semen analysis
It provides information about the quantity, morphology, and motility of sperm.
3. Post ejaculatory urine sample
This is to check for any infections or presence of sperm in urine, i.e., retrograde ejaculation.
4. Blood tests
This is to measure the hormone level and determine if any infection persists.
5. Ultrasound
This is to detect size of testes, cysts, varicocele, and tumours.
6. Genetic testing
This helps to detect any kind of chromosomal disorder.

Self Measures to Preserve Your Fertility

1.Take a well balanced diet.
2. Control your weight.
3. Indulge in regular exercising.
4. Reduce stress by yoga and proper relaxation.
5. Do not take alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

Treatment

Treatment for infertility usually depends on the cause.

1. Drug therapy is used for hormonal disturbances.
2. Surgery is performed for obstructions in the tract and varicocele.
3. If the above methods do not work then you can opt for artificial insemination.

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