MALE INFERTILITY

                                                               

                                     

   
  Infertility affects about 1 in 6 couples . A diagnosis of infertility is given to a couple who are unable to conceive within one year. When the problem lies with the male partner refers to male infertility .

Male infertility factors contributes to about 30% of all cases of infertility and male infertility alone accounts for approximately one-fifth of all cases of infertility.

What causes male infertility?

There are four main causes of infertility in men:

A hypothalamic or pituitary disorder (1-2%)

gonads disorder (30-40%)

Disorder sperm transport (10-20%)

unknown causes (40-50%)

Much research has not yet been done on the subject of male infertility, since many cases still are diagnosed "cause unknown." Male infertility usually normally occurs because sperm are abnormal, due to an insufficient number of sperm, or problems with ejaculation.

     Sperm can be considered abnormal for two possible reasons: unusually short lifespan of sperm and / or low mobility.

Sperm abnormalities can be caused by one or more of the following:

Inflammation of the testicles

swollen veins in the scrotum

abnormally developed testicles

Reasons for low sperm count or lack of sperm include one or more of the following:

A pre-existing genetic condition

The use of alcohol, snuff or other drugs

Severe infection mumps after puberty

Hernia repairs

hormonal disorder

Exposure to toxic chemicals

The radiation exposure

The obstruction caused by a previous infection

Wearing tight or restrictive underwear

Injury in the groin area

Male infertility can also occur when there are problems with ejaculation.

Ejaculation problems can include any of the following:

Premature ejaculation

Retrograde ejaculation, which occurs when semen is forced back into the bladder

Erectile dysfunction

Complications of radiation therapy or surgery

Other causes of male infertility may include:

History of sexually transmitted diseases

Urinary tract infections

The use of certain types of drugs

How is male infertility diagnosed

     Male infertility potential will be evaluated as part of a complete physical examination will include a medical history regarding possible contributing factors.

Your provider may use one or more of the following tests to evaluate fertility:

Semen analysis to determine the number and quality of sperm

Blood tests to check for infections or hormonal problems. Hormone levels are so important in male fertility and female fertility

Make a culture of fluid from the penis to check for infections

Physical examination of the penis, scrotum and prostate

Semen analysis is the most important part of testing male fertility. Some men it is more convenient for testing semen analysis in the privacy of their own homes. Home test kits are available.

What are they looking for in the test?

     When semen analysis is done, the doctor will be looking for some specific markers to access fertility.

Total quantity or semen volume - 2 milliliters is considered normal. A lower amount may indicate a problem with the seminal vesicles, blocked ducts or a problem with the prostate gland.

Sperm count - 20 to 300 million per milliliter is considered within the normal sperm count range. Below 10 million is considered "poor."

Morphology - the size and shape of the sperm affect the ability of sperm to reach and fertilize an egg. 30% is considered a good amount of sperm that are as "normal." And the proof "strict," shows an even smaller percentage of normal.

Motility - movement and the number of active cells. Movement is 0-4, with a score of more than 3 considered good. The amount of active cells has a percentage 1-100%, with 50% considered the minimum.

How is male infertility treated?

Male infertility is oftener treated by conventional methods including one or more of the following :

Taking medication to increase sperm production

Taking antibiotics for infection feed

Hormanas take to improve hormonal imbalance

Avoid taking long, hot showers, hot tubs or saunas

The use of looser underwear like boxer briefs front jockey shorts

     Sperm production can also be improved by taking clinically proven supplements. Anything that increases the number of healthy sperm increases the chances of conception. Many health food stores and vitamin stores offer supplements for male fertility. Artificial insemination is an option if the count man's sperm is low. in this procedure, sperm is collected through multiple ejaculations.

In vitro fertilization is another option that can be used to overcome the factors of male infertility. If the tests show no sperm production or other problems are present, donor sperm can be used to help facilitate conception. in this procedure, a sperm donor is obtained from a sperm bank and placed into the uterus or fallopian tubes of women through artificial insemination.

Can You Prevent Male Infertility?

Usually there is nothing that can be done to prevent male infertility caused by genetic problems or diseases. However, there are actions that men can take to reduce the possibility of infertility.

These include:

Avoiding sexually transmitted diseases

Avoiding illicit drugs

Radiation avoiding where possible

Avoid exposure to toxic substances

Avoid excessive or frequent use of alcohol

Observing good personal hygiene and health

Avoiding long hot baths, hot baths or saunas

Wearing baggy underwear