Male Infertility
Male infertility can be caused by low sperm production, abnormal sperm function or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Illnesses, injuries, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices and other factors may contribute to male infertility.
The inability to conceive a child can be stressful and frustrating, but a number of treatments are available for male infertility.
Symptoms
The main sign of male infertility is the inability to conceive a child. There may be no other obvious signs or symptoms.
- Problems with sexual function — for example, difficulty with ejaculation or small volumes of fluid ejaculated, reduced sexual desire, or difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- Pain, swelling or a lump in the testicle area
- Recurrent respiratory infections
- Inability to smell
- Abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia)
- Decreased facial or body hair or other signs of a chromosomal or hormonal abnormality
- A lower than normal sperm count (fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen or a total sperm count of less than 39 million per ejaculate)
Complications
Complications of male infertility can include:
- Stress and relationship difficulties related to the inability to have a child
- Expensive and involved reproductive techniques
- Increased risk of testicular cancer, melanoma, colon cancer and prostate cancer
Prevention
Male infertility isn't always preventable. However, you can try to avoid some known causes of male infertility. For example:
- Don't smoke.
- Limit or abstain from alcohol
- Steer clear of illicit drugs
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Don't get a vasectomy
- Avoid things that lead to prolonged heat for the testicles
- Reduce stress
- Avoid exposure to pesticides, heavy metals and other toxins
