If you have been trying to conceive for 12 months or longer without success, the problem might be male infertility.
Research tells us that in the course of their lifetimes; approximately 20%, or one out of five, couples will have problems with infertility and will seek medical treatment and advice for infertility.
Although we might tend to think that getting pregnant is extremely easy, the fact is that only about 50% of couples get pregnant quickly and easily!
In fact, approximately one out of ten couples in the United States will have infertility issues.
Of this 10% of couples with infertility, there is a 50% chance that male infertility is the cause for failure to conceive.
There are a variety of causes for male infertility.
Here are some common lifestyle causes of male infertility:
- Smoking
- Use of recreational drugs
- Over-use of some prescription drugs
- Alcohol
- Anabolic steroids
- Too much high intensity exercise
- Vitamin C deficiency
- Zinc deficiency
- Too tight underwear
- Stress
- Environmental toxins
- Anemia
- Malnutrition
Hormonal irregularities may also cause male infertility.
Here are some of the hormonal conditions that can cause male infertility:
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperprolactinemia
- Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
- Hypogonadotropic Hypopituitarism
- Panhypopituitafism
In addition to these causes, there are physical problems that can cause male infertility:
- Varicocele
- Sperm duct damage
- Torsion
- Klinefelter’s Syndrome
- Infection
- Disease
- Retrograde ejaculation
There are still more factors that can cause male infertility. Psychological problems and behavioral problems can also cause male infertility:
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Premature Ejaculation
- Ejaculatory Incompetence
As you can see, there are a host of problems that can cause male infertility!
To determine whether or not male infertility exists, there is a fairly standard group of diagnostic tests that are performed:
- Sperm analysis
- Hormonal evaluation
- Post Coital/Cervical mucous test
- Sperm penetration test
- Thorough physical exam
A diagnosis of male infertility does not necessarily mean a verdict of never being able to father a child. In fact, many of the causes for male infertility can be successfully treated.
In many cases, just making some simple lifestyle changes may be enough to restore male fertility!
There are various drugs available to treat hormonal problems, and many physical problems that are causing male infertility can be taken care of with surgery or microsurgery.
If you or your partner is diagnosed with male infertility, talk to your doctor or fertility expert about causes and treatments.
Retrograde Ejaculation: A Rare Cause of Male Infertility
Treatment Options for Male Infertility
Top Questions About Infertility
Male Fertility and Aging: Effects on Reproduction
Comments on this entry are closed.