WHAT ARE THE REASONS THAT A MAN CANNOT CONCEPT NATURALLY?

16 May 20213′ read3 sections

CONTENTS

If you are trying to conceive, how long should you wait before having a semen test?
Are there visible signs of male infertility?
What are the reasons for being unable to conceive naturally?

If you are trying to conceive, how long should you wait before having a semen test?

If you are under 35, you can wait for a year, but if you are over 35 you should consult your doctor after six months of trying to conceive.

Are there visible signs of male infertility?

Some men will have visible signs, but not all. For example, small testicles may be associated with a hormonal abnormality and infertility. Gynaecomastia (an enlargement or swelling of breast tissue in men), obesity, a lack of facial or body hair and short stature are also physical signs of male infertility.

What are the reasons for being unable to conceive naturally?

Sperm disorders: This is when the sperm are abnormally shaped, do not move properly, are low in number, or there is in fact no sperm at all. All of these different characteristics are analysed – the number, the shape and the movement. A normal sperm count ranges from 15 million to more than 200 million sperm per ml. Sperm motility should be above 40%.
Normal sperm forms should not be fewer than 4%. An abnormality in the number, the shape or the movement can cause infertility.

Varicoceles: There is a link between varicoceles and infertility. A varicocele can lower the sperm count, reduce sperm motility and increase the number of misshapen sperm.
Varicoceles can also cause excessive heat. Excessive heat damages sperm by raising the temperature of the testicles, which are supposed to be about 2°C cooler than the body.

Retrograde ejaculation: This happens when semen enters the bladder instead of emerging through the penis during ejaculation, so it essentially travels backwards into the body.

Immunological infertility: This happens when antibodies attack a man's own sperm, binding to the surface of the sperm. This can affect sperm motility.

Obstruction: Sometimes the sperm duct can become blocked, which means that sperm from the testicles cannot leave the body during ejaculation. This blockage can have various causes, such as infections or surgery (vasectomy).

Hormones: Very low hormone levels lead to poor sperm development. Any disturbance of thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin or the hormones that regulate blood sugar can cause male infertility. Testosterone and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone, which regulates the body's growth and reproductive processes) can be markers of male infertility.

Chromosomes: Changes in the number and structure of the chromosomes can affect fertility.
Y-chromosome infertility is a condition that affects sperm production and causes male infertility, meaning it is difficult or impossible for affected men to father a child. Any other chromosomal abnormality can also affect the sperm.

Medication: Some medications can alter sperm production, function and quality. Blood pressure medicines and antidepressants have been found to be responsible for erectile dysfunction. Chemotherapy can completely destroy sperm production.

Can any of the above be treated?
Sperm disorders should be assessed thoroughly and the treatment planned accordingly. A surgical approach or hormonal support are methods commonly used in the treatment of male infertility.
Cases of male infertility are treated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (injection of a sperm into the egg under a microscope), which achieves satisfactory pregnancy rates even in severe cases.

*The content of this blog is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have about medical conditions.

TAGSmale infertilityinfertility

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.

If you are trying to conceive, how long should you wait before having a semen test?

Are there visible signs of male infertility?

What are the reasons for being unable to conceive naturally?

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?