MALE INFERTILITY: THE CAUSES

     When a couple fails to have a child after trying for at least a year, which is the definition of infertility, fertility problems in which there is a participation of men corresponding to 50% of cases. The important nuance is that 20% is the exclusive responsibility of the man, while the other 30% is due to a combination of factors related to both partners.

20% of cases of infertility of the couple are due exclusively to man

Although approximately 40% of cases do not get to determine the cause of male infertility, it depends on the quality of semen: number, motility, morphology and vitality of sperm and semen PH. Hence when a couple goes to a fertility clinic in order to get pregnant is one made seminogram the man to determine these parameters.

Possible causes of the loss of semen quality and, as a result of male infertility are very diverse:

premature ejaculation.

     Retrograde ejaculation (semen goes into the bladder instead of out through the penis) may be due to poor closure of the bladder neck, to uncontrolled diabetes, surgery performed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia or testicular cancer.

Anejaculation: is the absence of ejaculation, which can be caused by a spinal cord injury, diabetes uncontrolled long evolution, surgery practiced in the genital area or retroperitoneal, or prolonged use of certain drugs, among which antipsychotics , antidepressants and antihypertensives or causes mentioned for retrograde ejaculation; It can also occur in patients with poorly controlled diabetes years of evolution, may be the result of surgery of the genital region and retroperitoneal, or may be due to the consumption of certain antidepressants, antipsychotics and antihypertensive drugs.

Drugs and toxic substances are many drugs that affect sperm production and therefore, the quality of semen. Particularly noteworthy androgenic steroids (anabilizantes), thus block the production of testosterone and sperm therefore, being able to reach a azoospermia (absence of sperm). Drug and snuff can also affect the count and sperm morphology. Finally, continued exposure to certain toxic substances (lead, manganese, cadmium, etc) can cause a situation of male infertility.

     Hormonal disorders: excessive production of prolactin (hyperprolactinemia), the isolated testosterone deficiency, hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, etc. They are some of the hormonal changes that can cause male infertility.

Chromosomal anomalies account for 21% of cases of azoospermia.

Urogenital infections: is not very common, but these infections can cause seminal abnormalities.

Cryptorchidism: occurs when one or both testicles have not descended into the scrotum and kept inside the abdomen. This situation, which can be corrected surgically reduces sperm production.

Varicocele: is caused by the appearance of varicose veins in the testicle, causing an increase in scrotal temperature negatively affects semen quality. Treatment is surgical.