MALE INFERTILITY

18 April 20223′ read

Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system. It can affect a man, a woman or both. Male infertility means that a man has a problem with his reproductive system, as a result of which he cannot start a natural pregnancy with his partner.

Problems with producing healthy sperm are the most common causes of male infertility. The sperm may be immature, abnormally shaped or unable to swim. In some cases sperm production may be low or even non-existent. This problem can be caused by many different conditions, such as:

Infections or inflammatory conditions. One example is infection with the mumps virus after puberty.
Hormone or pituitary problems
Immune problems in which antibodies are produced against your own sperm
Environmental and lifestyle factors. These include tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, the use of marijuana or steroids, or exposure to toxins.
Genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis or haemochromatosis

Structural problems of a genetic nature may also occur. Infection or inflammation from a sexually transmitted disease can also block the sperm. Other causes include scar tissue from surgery or enlarged veins in the scrotum. Other factors may include erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation. Liver or kidney disease, or treatment for seizure disorders, are examples of problems that can cause infertility.

Symptoms of male infertility

You may be facing male infertility if your partner has not become pregnant after a year of regular unprotected sex. The reproductive specialist will examine both you and your partner to find the cause of the infertility.

There are numerous symptoms that are already present in the body, but men are not aware that they are signs of, or can lead to, infertility. Some of these are hormonal imbalance, difficulty ejaculating, a lower than normal sperm count, reduced sex drive or loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, discharge, and pain and lumps in and around the testicles. Breast growth, an inability to smell and frequent respiratory infections can also be a sign of male infertility.

How is male infertility diagnosed?

The reproductive specialist will review your medical history and carry out a physical examination. Other tests for male infertility may include: a sperm count (semen analysis), blood tests, imaging tests such as ultrasound to examine the testicles, the blood vessels and the structures inside the scrotum, and a testicular biopsy.

Treatment

According to studies, one in eight men with infertility problems has a treatable condition and after treatment can achieve a natural pregnancy with his partner. However, in some cases the specialist doctor may recommend that you and your partner seek assisted reproduction treatment. This treatment involves helping your partner to become pregnant. This can be done through various methods such as artificial insemination, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), as well as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Men facing fertility problems are not alone in their struggle. Thanks to modern technology, there are now solutions that allow every man to have a biological child. With the right guidance from a qualified specialist and a calm approach, everything you have dreamed of can become a reality.

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?