For Men
If you’re a man then infertility might not be a topic you want to discuss. Unfortunately, male infertility is the cause 40% of the time for couples unable to conceive- so men, it’s time to pay attention. As touchy as the subject of infertility is, it seems especially sensitive when male factor is involved. It taps into the social stereotypes of masculinity, and often sparks guilt and embarrassment. But keep in mind male infertility is no one's fault, attributable to a range of causes, and often treatable.
The cause of male infertility is most usually are due to a varicocele or unexplained. Other less commone reasons include undescended testicles, steroid use, brain tumor, sexually transmitted infections (STI’s), morbid obesity, history of radiation therapy for cancer, family history of genetic disorders, some chronic disease, certain prescription drugs, and advancing age. Contributing lifestyle and environmental factors effecting male infertility include alcohol consumption and smoking, use of drugs such as marijuana, stress, use of certain lubricants, exposure to toxic substances, and excessive exposure to high heat in the testicular area- think hot tub or sauna. One condition that is commonly found in male infertility is a varicocele, or varicose veins around the testicles. Varicocele appears in 15% of all men and 35-80% of infertile men. Varicocelectomy is a surgery to tie off the veins and reduce the varicocele. Additionally, varicocelectomy results in significantly improved semen parameters in 60% to 80% of men and improve pregnancy rates by up to 60%.
If you’re worried that male factor is at play, it’s important to schedule an appointment with a urologist specializing in male infertility to undergo a complete fertility work-up. Your urologist will ask you about your health history, give you a physical exam, and perform male infertility testing. At a minimum, a semen analysis should be performed and preferably more than just one. It should be processed within an hour of being produced after abstaining 2 to 4 days from ejaculation. A semen analysis is one of the most important tests for men, and will show you volume and content of the ejaculate, sperm count, sperm motility (swimming ability), and the shape and structure of the sperm. Additionally, more specialized semen testing may be recommended including tests that look at strict morphology (the appearance of sperm under very high power magnification) and DNA fragmentation.
A male infertility specialist will also do a full hormone profile since fertility capabilities are linked to the endocrine system, and blood work can detect a history of sexually transmitted diseases.
Whatever the cause of male infertility, in many cases it is correctible. In the vast majority of men with infertility problems, once there’s a clear diagnosis, there’s usually an assisted reproductive technique that will likely work for you. The most important thing a man can do is to see a reproductive urologist. You can use our Physician’s Network to find a urologist specializing in male infertility or a reproductive endocrinologist in your area.
Infertility can be an emotionally draining and extremely stressful time in your life. You may be struggling with feelings of inadequacy, failure and guilt. Men are often taught to refrain from expressing emotion, but now isn’t the time to hide your feelings. The AFA is here to support you as you move through this challenging time. We offer a number of articles dealing with male infertility so you can help yourself and your partner. And with our toll-free help line, a caring voice is a phone call away.