After 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse, infertility is defined as the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy. Difficulties in conception can arise from either partner’s fertility issues or from the presence of both male and female factor infertility.
According to research, male factor infertility accounts for nearly half of all infertility cases. Male fertility issues are typically caused by low sperm production, abnormal sperm function, or obstructions that prevent sperm flow. To kick-out these kinds of male inabilities, find the best sexologist in Delhi for the good news.
The Following Are Two Important Aspects Of Healthy Male Fertility
Healthy Sperm Production
The testes are where sperm is produced and stored. At least one testicle must be functional for healthy sperm production. A sufficient number of normally shaped, forward moving sperm in the sperm is indicative of healthy sperm. A low sperm count is defined as less than 15 million sperm per millilitre of sperm or less than 39 million sperm per ejaculate.
Transfer Of Sperm
The testes produce sperm, which is then delivered into the seminal fluid via tubes. Problems with the delivery system can lead to low or no sperm count, among other sperm abnormalities.
Male Infertility Causes
Male infertility can be induced by a number of factors, that includes:
Sperm Dysfunction
According to the World Health Organisation, sperm is considered fertile if it has a concentration of 15 million sperm per ml of sperm, has a motility of 40% or greater, and must have a shape of 4% or more to produce offspring.
Low or no sperm count (azoospermia), poor sperm motility, and abnormal morphology or shape of sperm can all have an impact on sperm’s ability to penetrate and fertilise the female partner’s egg.
These disorders can be present at birth due to inherited conditions or acquired later in life as a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking and drug use, certain medical treatments (such as chemotherapy), and certain medical conditions.
Ejaculation Related Disorders
Ejaculation problems (reaching orgasm and releasing sperm) are further classified as
Premature ejaculation:
Ejaculation that occurs immediately before or after penetration. It is commonly caused by performance anxiety during sex. stress, depression, a history of sexual repression, and other psychological issues are also possible causes. Certain medications, such as antidepressants, are also known to have an effect on ejaculation.
Inhibited or delayed ejaculation:
Ejaculation that occurs very late or does not occur at all. It could be the result of long-term medical issues. Medication side effects, alcohol abuse, and surgery Psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress can also contribute to it.
Backward ejaculation:
Ejaculate (or sperm) is forced back into the bladder rather than being expelled through the penis. It is most common in diabetics who have nerve damage. It can also be a side effect of certain medications or bladder neck/prostate surgery.
Varicocele
Varicoceles are enlarged veins in the testicles that are similar to varicose veins in the legs. These typically develop over time and can obstruct sperm production and transfer into the sperm, resulting in lower sperm quality.
Reversing Ejaculation
Backward ejaculation is an ejaculation disorder in which the sperm enters the bladder rather than emerging from the tip of the penis during an orgasm. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and spinal injuries, can cause it.
Unbalanced hormones
Male fertility can be reduced by problems with hormonal systems such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, testicles, and adrenal glands. Hormonal imbalances that affect fertility are typically symptoms of underlying health problems.
Structure Issues
The testicles are in charge of sperm production. Sperm is then transferred into the semen or ejaculate via a delicate tube system. Blockages and structural defects can impair sperm flow into the sperm, resulting in a low or no sperm count in the ejaculate.
Obstructions in any part of the male reproductive system, including the testicles, can occur due to a variety of factors such as surgery, trauma, prior infections, and inherited conditions.
Defects in chromosomes
Men’s fertility can be reduced by genetic disorders and certain inherited conditions that cause abnormal development of the male reproductive organ or abnormal sperm production.
Environmental Factors
Prolonged exposure to environmental factors such as industrial chemicals, heavy metals, radiation, or heat can reduce sperm production or function.
Lifestyle
Tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, drug abuse, long-term use of steroids, and being obese or overweight can all have a negative impact on sperm quality and count, as well as cause sexual dysfunction.
Male Infertility Diagnosis
A sperm analysis can detect issues such as low or no sperm count, abnormal sperm morphology (the shape of the sperm), and poor sperm motility (the ability of the sperm to move forward and fertilise the egg).
To explain the anomalies detected in the semen analysis, additional investigations such as ultrasound, hormone testing, post-ejaculation urinalysis, genetic tests, testicular biopsy, and specialised sperm function tests may be recommended.
Male infertility treatments
In the case of male factor infertility, intracytoplasmic sperm injection is an ART procedure performed during an IVF cycle. ICSI has revolutionised male infertility treatment by the expert sexologist in Delhi allowing even patients with severe male factor infertility to father healthy babies.
ICSI entails carefully extracting a single sperm cell, either surgically or from a sperm sample, and injecting it directly into the centre of the egg to promote fertilisation. Interventional procedures such as varicocele repair can be used to improve male reproductive function in some cases.
If traditional methods of sperm collection are ineffective, surgical sperm retrieval procedures such as TESA and PESA can be used to extract sperm directly from the testicles and other parts of the male reproductive system. These procedures are generally performed as out-patient procedures and are minimally invasive.