Male infertility can be described as any health problem in a man, which decreases the chance of his female partner becoming pregnant.
A little more than 13 of 100 couples cannot become pregnant when they have unprotected sexual intimate sex. There are many reasons behind infertility for women and men. In more than third cases of male infertility, the issue is with men. The reason for this is typically because of issues with the production of sperm or sperm delivery.
What Happens Under Normal Conditions?
The human body produces tiny cells, referred to as Sperm. When sex is in progress, ejaculation usually releases sperm into the female’s body.
Male reproductive systems create storage, transport, and produce sperm. Chemicals within your body known as hormones regulate this. Sperm and male sexual hormone (testosterone) are made within the testicles. The testicles are located inside the scrotum, which is a sac of skin that lies below the penis. When sperm leaves the testicles, they move into a tube in the back of each testicle. This tube is referred to as the epididymis.
In the moments before ejaculation, embryodidymis releases sperm to a different group of tubes. The tubes are known as vas deferens. Each vas deferens runs from the epididymis and goes to behind your bladder inside the pelvis. The vas deferens connect to the ejaculatory duct with the seminal vesicle. When you ejaculate semen mix with the fluid of the prostate, and the seminal vessels. This creates semen. Semen is then able to travel through the urethra, and then out of the penis.
Male fertility is contingent on the body’s normal production of the sperm, and then delivering them. The sperm are injected into the vagina of the female partner. The sperm move through her cervix and into her uterus, where they reach her fallopian tubes. If an egg and sperm come into contact fertilization occurs.
The system only functions in the event that hormone levels, genes and the environmental environment are in order.
Causes
Making healthy, mature Sperm that travels depends on a variety of factors. The problem with cells can hinder them from developing into Sperm. The sperm may be prevented from getting to the egg. In addition, the temperatures of the scrotum can alter fertility. These are the primary reasons for male infertility
- Sperm Disorders
- Varicoceles
- Retrograde Ejaculation
- Immunonologic Infertility
- Obstruction
- Hormones
- Medication
- Sperm Disorders
The most frequently encountered problems involve the creation and development of the sperm. Sperm could:
- it is not possible to grow fully
- may have odd shapes
- cannot move in the right direction
- can be produced in extremely low amounts (oligospermia)
- there is no way to make it (azoospermia)
Problems with sperm can stem from characteristics you inherit. The choices you make in your life can affect your the number of sperm. Drinking alcohol, smoking and taking certain medicines may reduce the amount of sperm in your body. Other reasons for low sperm count are long-term illness (such in kidney problems) and childhood infections (such as Mumps) and chromosome hormone imbalances (such as testosterone deficiency).
The reproductive system is damaged and could result in low or no production of sperm. About 4 out of 10 men who have a complete lack of Sperm (azoospermia) suffer from an obstruction (blockage) in the tubes that sperm move through. Birth defects or an issue such as an infection could cause obstruction.
Varicoceles
Varicoceles are veins that have swollen in the scrotum. They’re present on 16 percent males. They’re more prevalent among males who are infertile (40 from 100). They hinder the growth of sperm through blocking the proper flow of blood. The varicoceles may result in blood flowing through your scrotum through your stomach. The testicles then become too warm to make the sperm. This can result in lower number of sperm.
Retrograde Ejaculation
The process of ejaculation in retrograde is when the semen moves backward within the body. It is when they enter your bladder, not out the penis. This is because the muscles and nerves in your bladder aren’t closed during an orgasm (climax). Semen could contain normal sperm, however, the semen does not release from the penis. Therefore, it is unable to reach the vagina.
Retrograde ejaculation may be caused by medications, surgery, or health issues of nerves. The signs are cloudy urine following the ejaculation and less fluid and “dry” ejaculation.
Immunologic Infertility
The human body can produce antibodies that attack the body’s sperm. Antibodies usually arise due to surgery, injury or infection. They prevent Sperm from moving and functioning normally. We aren’t sure what causes antibodies to reduce fertility. We do know that they cause sperm to be challenging to travel through the fallopian tubes and into an egg. This isn’t a typical male infertility cause.
Obstruction
Sometimes, the tubes that carry sperm are blocked. Multiple infections, surgery (such as vasectomy), and swelling as well as developmental defects can result in obstruction. Any male reproductive tract may be blocked. If there is a blockage in the testicles, sperm cannot escape the body when ejaculating.
Hormones
Hormones produced by the pituitary gland instruct the testicles to produce the sperm. A low level of hormones can make for poor growth of sperm.
Chromosomes
Sperm carry half the egg’s DNA. Variations in the number of chromosomes and their structure could affect fertility. For instance the male Y chromosome might be missing some components.
Medication
Certain medications may alter the production of sperm, function, and delivery. The majority of these medications are used to treat health issues such as:
- Arthritis
- Depression
- Digestive problems
- Depression or anxiety
- Infections
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
Male Infertility Tests & Treatments
Infertility in males is not always irreparable or untreatable. It is not unusual for males to treat infertility with one or more actions.
Beware of environmental hazards including smoking, exposure to heat or exercise that is intense and toxicants, certain substances or drinking excessively
Reducing stress
Utilizing medications, which include antibiotics (if there is a suspicion of infection) and fertility drugs (Clomiphene, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) or injections of LH/FSH)
Vitamins, including zinc, folic acid or L-carnitine
Antioxidants
Alternative medicine. Certain types of herbs can cause harm. Acupuncture is usually not dangerous or harmful.
Surgery, like reverse vasectomy, or fixing the condition known as a varicocele where the veins within the scrotum become enlarged.
In vitro fertilization typically occurs through the process known as Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)