Of all the couples who are facing difficulties in conceiving, male infertility can be the cause as female infertility, but the chances are rare, as female infertility is commonly diagnosed. Can a man have an infertility issue? Without knowing the proper reasons, some men may experience infertility in their lives. Some misconceptions are that only women’s infertility can cause difficulties in conceiving. Though male infertility has a lower count than women, revealing the proper reasons and facts is necessary for knowing the root causes and breaking the boundaries of infertility in men.

Infertility in men’s lives: Uncommon

Infertility is when a couple has had unprotected sex more than a year, but they have not become pregnant. Male infertility nowadays has been diagnosed with various factors like a deficiency in male sex hormones, unhealthy lifestyle with smoking and alcohol, like bad practices, low sperm count, stress, or many more. 

Several signs and symptoms can be recognised due to male infertility. Symptoms of male infertility are such as:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Difficult ejaculating
• Low libido
• Pain, swelling in the testicles
• Reduces sperm volume
• Unexplained fatigue

Let’s come into this blog and know the stigma of male fertility with medical interference, along with timely treatment.

Causes of male infertility:

Now, the question is how you can recognise your infertility as a man, or what are some possible causes of male fertility? Because it has no previous major symptoms, mostly or sometimes smooth and satisfying sexual intercourse cannot reveal your infertility issue as a man, but the problem is that after doing successful sexual activity, your female partner cannot get pregnant. Common causes of male infertility are:

• Low sperm count (oligospermia)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Low sperm motility
• Uncontrolled stress & anxiety 
• Abnormal sperm shape
• Other medical conditions, such as Diabetes, autoimmune diseases
• Infections like STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections)

While age is a matter:

While it is known to all that a man can have the power to produce sperm throughout his life, the power decreases from the age of 40. Older sperm may have various complications, like abnormal sperm quality, low sperm motility, low sperm count, and sperm DNA functionality issues. The 10 reasons for male fertility are elaborately explained below:

• Infertility has no link with a fit & muscular body:

Your fit and muscular physical appearance does not mean you have healthy fertility – as a man, your fertility power has no link with this. Healthy men, along with a normal sexual life, may also have low sperm count or abnormal sperm issues. Even in some healthy men, Azoospermia can be noticed for infertility, which means zero sperm count. This is the most common male fertility myth, you can notice.

• Erectile dysfunction does not symbolise infertility:

It’s a common myth about erectile dysfunction, which is mostly recognised as a primary cause of infertility, but in reality, not all infertility is linked to erectile function. Erectile dysfunction is different in which, as a man, you need to struggle to perform sexual activities that are not related to your sperm count or sperm production.

• Heat or hot temperature can moderate infertility:

Though several research works have been done for this, men who are using tight innerwear that creates a hot temperature that can reduce sperm production, and using a laptop on their lap for a long time can be harmful for producing a hot temperature that can cause your low sperm count or low sperm motility. 

• Infertility is not permanent & treatable:

Those men who are suffering from infertility issues, proper medications and treatment can help you to manage their infertility. In many infertility cases, medications, lifestyle changes, and improving daily healthy habits can manage infertility.

• Stress can be the culprit for infertility:

Stress can instigate hormone production – extreme levels of stress, anxiety, and depression can lower your sexual desires, and also reduce testosterone production, which leads to infertility in some cases.

Managing stress through lifestyle changes, engaging yourself with healthy habits like physical exercise, a healthy diet, along various activities can heal you.

• Infertility is not only for women:

Male fertility problems are just as common as female fertility issues. 1 in 3 couples experience infertility issues due to male factors, according to studies. The other 1/3 can be attributed to female factors, and the remaining 1/3 is due to both partners or unknown reasons.

Infertility can stem from various causes in men, including low sperm count, poor sperm quality, hormonal imbalances, or physical obstructions in the reproductive tract. Both partners must undergo fertility evaluations.

• Male infertility is not always permanent:

Infertility seems a heavy concern, which is not always permanent, as it has many ways to lower its risks and get rid of infertility with the right treatment. If hormonal imbalance is the cause of infertility, it can be managed with various tests and treatments. In other cases, don’t lose your hope, several methods are here, like IVF (in vitro fertilisation), and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) can increase the chances for couples to conceive.

• Male infertility is not hereditary:

While genetically, sometimes male infertility can happen, it doesn’t mean it’s confirmed all the time. So, male infertility has lower chances of genetic predisposition, but not always.

• Too much testosterone can cause infertility:

Any individual who has too much testosterone can stop sperm production, and infertility can occur. A high level of testosterone does not mean a high rate of fertility; rather, it may cause infertility.

• Lifestyle choices matter in infertility: 

Lifestyle choices are the most important reason for your infertility – how you live, what you do in your daily practices, may directly affect your fertility. Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and unhealthy food habits can damage your nervous system, as they directly affect your reproductive system.

Breaking the stigma: What men can do

• Embrace Healthy Habits:

  A balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking and excessive drinking can do wonders for fertility.

• Consult a Specialist:

  If you have been struggling with fertility, don’t hesitate to talk to a fertility expert or urologist. Early intervention can lead to better outcomes.

• Be Patient:

  Treatment for male infertility can take time, but persistence pays off. There’s hope, and many couples successfully conceive with the right treatment.

• Get Regular Check-ups:

  Don’t wait for symptoms to show up. Regular health screenings can help catch problems early. Do your Testosterone Tests to check your fertility health at Nirnayan Pathology Lab in Kolkata & get assured about your fertility.

Conclusion:

Many misconceptions can lead your an infertility issue towards the wrong direction, while it is manageable in some cases. If you are struggling to conceive or having any issues with your fertility, seek medical intervention and get it cured.