Male Infertility: Breaking the Silence
Conversations around infertility typically center around women, however, male infertility accounts for about one-third of fertility issues. For National Infertility Awareness Week® (NIAW), we want to emphasize that all genders can experience infertility, and no one should feel like they have to suffer in silence.
Here’s what you need to know about male infertility and the cutting-edge treatment options that are currently available.
Male Infertility Symptoms
The main symptom of male infertility is the inability to conceive a child. There may be other signs, such as:
- Problems with sexual function
- Testicular pain
- Decreased facial or body hair
- Recurrent respiratory infections
- Abnormal breast growth
- Inability to smell
It’s possible, and not uncommon, to have no other symptoms of male infertility aside from being unable to conceive. If you’ve been having regular intercourse for a year and your partner hasn’t gotten pregnant, you both should see a fertility specialist.
What Causes Male Infertility?
Male fertility is complex. In order to conceive, a male must produce healthy sperm. Then, enough sperm needs to move into the seminal fluid, travel through various obstacles in the female reproductive system, and reach their partner’s eggs. Some causes of male infertility include:
- Low sperm production
- Abnormal sperm function
- Blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm
Other factors like injuries or illnesses, chronic health problems, and lifestyle choices can also contribute to male infertility.
Male Infertility Treatments
If you suspect you have male infertility, a fertility specialist will run tests to determine the root cause. Then, they’ll recommend treatment options, which can range from non-invasive procedures like hormone deficiency treatments to surgical therapy like varicocele ligation.
Other treatments include:
- Spinal cord injury treatments
- Electroejaculation therapy (EEJ)
- Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid, Serophene)
- Sperm retrieval techniques (MESA, PESA, TESE)
- Transurethral resection of ejaculatory duct
- Transurethral resection of the seminal vesicles (TURSV)
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- In vitro fertilization (IVF)
A decade ago, male infertility treatment options were much more limited. Today, significant advances in the field have emerged, introducing innovative therapies that can greatly improve the chances of conception.
Male Fertility Support Is Available
If you’re dealing with male infertility, you aren’t alone. At Male Fertility & Sexual Medicine Specialists, we’ll work with you step by step to determine the cause of your infertility and offer the most appropriate treatment plan to help you conceive. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment with our expert team.
