Five Signs You Need to See a Male Fertility Specialist

Male infertility is more common than you may think; up to a third of all fertility issues are attributable to male reproductive issues. While male infertility can be caused by a range of factors, such as hormone disorders, injury to reproductive organs, or sexual dysfunction, it can be difficult to know what physical symptoms to look for.

It’s important to know what to watch out for so you can get treatment for any issue as soon as possible. Symptoms can also help determine which tests a doctor should perform in order to understand your fertility situation. These can include genetic testing, semen analysis, or a testicular biopsy.

If you’re experiencing any of the following five signs, you should get in touch with a male fertility specialist right away.

1. You’ve Tried to Conceive for a Year without Success
The most obvious sign of potential infertility isn’t one you can see or feel, so most men experiencing infertility won’t actually realize there’s an issue until they actually try to conceive. While a few unsuccessful attempts are not cause for concern, if you’ve had regular, unprotected intercourse with a woman known to be fertile for six to 12 months without conceiving, it’s time to get in touch with a fertility specialist.

2. You Have Pain, Swelling, or Lumps
If you’re experiencing pain or swelling or if you’ve found a lump in your testicles, you should contact a doctor. Pain and swelling could be caused by a variety of medical issues, including testicular torsion, infections, or a hernia.

A painless lump, meanwhile, should be investigated by a medical professional for testicular cancer, which can damage sperm. A lump can also be accompanied by aching pain in the lower abdomen or scrotum. Particularly if you have a family history of testicular cancer or other common risk factors, you should perform a testicular self-examination every month.

3. You’re Experiencing Erectile Dysfunction
The inability to achieve or sustain an erection is an obvious obstacle to conception. While stress and depression can be factors in some instances, you may be surprised to learn that erectile dysfunction can be caused by a range of medical conditions and lifestyle habits, including diabetes, certain medications, and even excessive cycling. Erectile dysfunction is treatable—as long as you tell your doctor about it.

4. You’re Experiencing Ejaculation Irregularities
Another sign to look out for is a sustained irregularity in ejaculation, such as reduced volume or difficulty ejaculating or changes in the ejaculate—particularly in the color, texture, or consistency.

White or light gray semen is considered “normal,” while a more yellow coloring could indicate the presence of urine in the semen, a potential sign of infertility, and green or pinkish semen could indicate a prostate issue. Furthermore, the texture of semen should be thick upon ejaculation; if you find that your semen has changed to a runny or overly sticky texture, this could indicate a medical condition.

5. You’ve Noticed a Severely Altered Sex Drive
It could be worth mentioning to a medical professional if you notice a severe reduction or an abrupt loss of your libido. While smaller fluctuations in sex drive are normal, and a lowered sex drive, particularly as you get older, can be caused by a great number of factors, including stress, anxiety, and depression, a significant change in or loss altogether of your interest in sex could be a sign of a physical condition. Chiefly, this could signal issues in your pituitary gland, which creates the hormones (such as testosterone) necessary for fertility.

Contact Us
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms or if you have other questions about your fertility, get in touch for a free consultation with Male Fertility & Sexual (MFS™) Medicine Specialists today.