Male infertility is as good a taboo as is female infertility, with the exception that female infertility is talked about and discussed while male infertility is still a topic that is good if it is hidden. However, studies have found that in one in three cases of infertility it is the man who is infertile. Thus, being vocal about it and getting it treated is a matter of concern.
What is male infertility?
Male infertility is when a man cannot make a fertile woman pregnant. Almost 7% men are affected by this problem, and deficiency in the semen is the most common reason behind it.
What are the causes behind male infertility?
- Disorders related to sperm: There are chances that the sperm:
- Is not fully grown
- Has an odd shape
- Is made in low quantity(oligospermia)
- Is not made at all(azoospermia)
The reason behind this is a lifestyle, childhood infections, long term sickness or hormonal problems.
- Varicoceles: When the veins in the scrotum swell, making it larger and block the blood circulation system because of which the blood flows back from scrotum to the belly and the temperature of scrotum increases, which is not conducive for making sperms.
- Retrograde Ejaculation: When semen doesn’t reach the vagina and travels back to the bladder instead of coming out from the penis.
- Immunologic Infertility: A condition when antibodies produced in the man’s body attack his sperms.
- Low hormones: Low hormonal levels means poor sperm growth and thus increased chances of infertility.
- Medications: Exposure to medications for the treatment of cancer, arthritis, depression, digestive problems, and blood pressure can cause damage to fertility.
- Chromosome: Any change in the number and structure of chromosomes affects fertility.
Treatment of Male Infertility
Once the cause gets identified, treatment should begin at the earliest which includes male infertility tests:
- Full body examination
- Analysis of semen
- Transrectal Ultrasound
- Testicular Biopsy
Male Infertility Treatment can be segregated into 3 categories:
- Non-Surgical Therapy:
It includes:
- Anejaculation: A condition where there are no sperms can be treated by medicines.
- Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH): If the level of steroids in blood and urine is high, it can be treated by giving hormones.
- Genital Tract Infection: Antibiotics are given to reduce inflammation, which can be the reason behind infertility.
- Hyperprolactinemia: When prolactin hormones increase beyond limits, it can be lowered down by giving medicines.
- Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism: A condition whereby testicles don’t make sperms because of the problem in pituitary or hypothalamus. MRI is done, and medicines are started for quick results.
- Surgical Therapy for Males:
These will include:
- Varicocele Treatment
- Azoospermia Treatment
- Microsurgical Vasovasostomy
- Transurethral Resection of Ejaculatory Duct
- Treatment of Unknown Cause:
This includes advanced treatments like:
- IUI(Intrauterine Insemination
- IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)
- ICSI(Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
- MESA(Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration)
Male infertility should be examined by expert male infertility specialists in Delhi, who shall guide you in the right direction and make you live your dream of holding your baby in your arms.
Gaudium IVF Centre one of the best IVF centre in Delhi, India where patients can avail of end-to-end infertility solutions at low EMI cost. The clinic has a team of infertility experts and qualified embryologists to ensure the highest IVF success rate.
