Men should get a fertility evaluation if they have been unable to impregnate their partners after having sexual intercourse for several months.
Male Infertility: When Should You Get Tested and What Are Your Treatment Options?
Did you know male-factor infertility affects one-third of infertility cases, while another one-third is linked to female reproductive issues, and the remaining one-third is a combination of male and female reproductive issues or unknown factors?
When a couple experiences difficulties getting pregnant naturally, the doubt automatically shifts to women. However, infertility is linked to male-factor, female-factor, and the combination of both. Male infertility doesn’t mean you can’t father your biological child. In fact, many identifiable causes may respond to male infertility treatment in Mulund.
Male Infertility Tests: When Should You Consider Them?
Male infertility doesn’t usually cause any noticeable symptoms, other than not being able to impregnate their female partners after months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse.
Generally, couples should visit a fertility doctor after 12 months of trying without pregnancy (if the female partner is younger than 35) or within 6 months (if the female partner is 35+). With advancing maternal age, fertility declines, and the chances of conceiving both naturally or through assisted reproductive technology may be reduced.
Sometimes, men may have existing reproductive health issues that may benefit from earlier evaluation. This includes:
- A history of undescended testicles
- Previous injury to the testicles
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Erectile dysfunction
- Ejaculation problems
- Or known hormonal or genetic issues that can interfere with a man’s reproductive health
Early evaluation is also necessary when a couple has experienced recurring pregnancy losses or failed assisted reproductive treatment.
Causes of Male Infertility
Identifying the underlying cause of male infertility is the first step in your infertility treatment.
- Low Sperm Production: The testicles are responsible for producing an adequate number of sperm. Hormonal imbalances, testicular injury, infection, or certain genetic disorders can disrupt sperm production.
- Obstruction in the Tubes that Carry Sperm: In some men, sperm is produced in large amounts, but blockage in the transportation path can prevent sperm cells from moving to reach the semen. As a result, sperm cells can’t be found in the semen sample.
- Hormonal Issues: Disruption in testosterone, FSH, and LH levels can affect sperm production. A male fertility specialist in Mulund may sometimes check prolactin as elevated levels can affect a man’s fertility.
- Lifestyle and Environmental Factors: Lifestyle factors, such as being overweight, tobacco smoking, recreational drug use, excessive alcohol consumption, and anabolic steroids, can all affect men’s fertility. The same applies to environmental factors, such as heat exposure, radiation, exposure to industrial chemicals or heavy metals.
Male Fertility Evaluation
A man’s fertility evaluation begins with simple questions about their sexual problems, ejaculation issues, previous injuries, any surgery, a history of medical conditions, previous pregnancies, and recent illnesses.
They may conduct a physical examination, assessing the testes, epididymis, and vas deferens to look for signs of obstructions. Later, a semen analysis is often ordered to assess sperm count, motility, morphology, and overall health.
Treatment depends on the findings. For example, if hormonal issues are suspected, the fertility expert may address underlying hormonal imbalances to improve fertility. A small surgical procedure, such as epididymovasostomy, may be advised to treat blockage issues.