Infertility is a challenging and emotional experience for couples who are trying to conceive. There is a common misconception that infertility only affects female partners. However, male infertility is a prevalent issue that impacts many couples worldwide.
In over 60% of couples presenting with infertility, the male partner is either a contributing factor or the sole cause of infertility in the couple. Hence, male infertility is a common issue that affects millions of men across the globe.
Infertility complications may occur in males due to several factors. They could be poor sperm motility, sperm quality issues, sexual dysfunction, greater health conditions, or a multitude of other causes. It’s important for couples to understand the causes of male infertility, how they can be addressed, and ways that they can overcome these obstacles on their path to family building.
Today we will outline valuable advice and suggestions for couples grappling with male infertility, to assist you and your partner in navigating this journey.
What is Male Infertility? And What Causes It?
Heterosexual couples can be diagnosed with infertility if they are unable to achieve conception after 1 year of unprotected intercourse. Infertility affects men and women equally, and in some cases, both partners may be struggling with infertility issues simultaneously.
Male factor infertility occurs when the male partner has abnormal semen parameters or is functionally unable to adequately deliver semen into the vaginal canal. For instance, a male may be struggling with infertility if they have:
- Low sperm counts or sperm concentrations
- Poor sperm morphology (abnormally shaped cells)
- Poor sperm motility (movement)
- Sexual dysfunction
It’s important to note that age can also play a significant role in a male’s fertility status (as it does with women). In fact, fertility declines as men approach their 40s.
Causes
There are many causes for male infertility. And they can be categorized into several categories, including medical, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
A wide array of medical conditions and health factors can contribute to male infertility. For instance, hormonal imbalances, testicular diseases, and varicoceles can negatively impact sperm production, quality, and movement, leading to male infertility. Additionally, some of these factors may also contribute to male sexual dysfunction, which can create an additional barrier to conceiving naturally.
Environmental factors such as frequent exposure to toxic substances, radiation, and excessive heat can also affect sperm production and quality. Moreover, lifestyle can also significantly influence one’s fertility status. Many lifestyle factors can contribute to infertility issues in men, such as excessive drug and alcohol use, smoking cigarettes, obesity, and poor diet.
These factors can directly affect many sperm parameters, but they can be modified by making adjustments to one’s daily life. Small lifestyle changes like curbing smoking habits or rebalancing one’s diet can work wonders for your fertility status, and treatments like hormone therapies can help address underlying causes of infertility too.
Diagnosis of Male Infertility
The diagnosis of male infertility is typically made through a combination of a through history and physical examination, semen analyses, and other blood tests.
Once a diagnosis is made, various treatment options are available. Treatment includes lifestyle changes, medications, certain surgeries for the male partner, and assisted reproductive technologies such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Some couples may also consider donor sperm or adoption.
How Do We Diagnose Male Factor Infertility?
When a couple has been struggling to conceive for some time, it is important to identify the root cause of their infertility issues. Since both partners may be struggling with infertility, it’s a good idea for both of them to seek simultaneous evaluations with fertility experts. While the female partner visits her OBGYN, the male partner should be seeking out fertility assessments from male fertility experts (i.e., reproductive urologists).
Semen Analysis
The best initial male fertility assessment is a semen analysis. This comprehensive test will evaluate multiple semen parameters (e.g., ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, motility, morphology, etc.), and your sample will be assessed in a laboratory setting. This test may result in an “abnormal” result, which will need to be interpreted by a male fertility expert to fully understand what’s causing infertility.
You’ll need to meet one-on-one with a reproductive urologist to have them read and interpret your results along with advising you on a path forward for family building.
Physical Examination
In some cases of male factor infertility, a physical examination will be needed to check for any visible abnormalities that may be contributing to infertility. Your medical provider will also look closely into your medical history. Additionally, they will ask questions about previous surgeries or injuries that may have affected the reproductive system.
Check Hormone Levels
If needed, additional bloodwork panels may be ordered to check hormone levels. The hormones secreted by your pituitary system need to be in the right balance for optimal sperm production and fertility. While it varies from person to person, in general, lower levels of testosterone can contribute to decreased sperm production. Higher levels of prolactin can interfere with sperm production and maturation.
It is important to note that the experience of infertility can be a difficult and emotional journey for both male and female partners. Seeking the guidance of a qualified fertility specialist can be a helpful step in navigating the diagnostic process and exploring treatment options. With proper diagnosis and medical treatment, many cases of male infertility can be successfully addressed.
7 Tips to Deal with Male Fertility
If you’re struggling with male infertility, your best solution is to seek out personalized advice and treatment from a male fertility specialist. Your reproductive urologist will be able to provide highly specialized care to address your needs.
That said, there are many steps that you can take to enhance your fertility status and increase the chances of conception. Here are a few easy tips to help you better manage male fertility issues when building a happy family.
1. Maintain a Healthy Weight
We know that this is easier said than done, but it’s important for your fertility status. Research has shown that obesity can lead to hormonal imbalances and can negatively affect sperm production. Maintaining a healthy weight can help to optimize a male’s fertility status and increase the chances of conception.
So, make sure you are:
- Eating right by prioritizing veggies, legumes, grains, and lean meats
- Staying active at the gym or outside for at least 2 hours a week to burn calories and build muscle
2. Find Ways to Reduce Stress
Believe it or not, your stress levels can influence your fertility status. Research suggests that stressful life events may be associated with decreased semen quality in men as well as temporary hormone imbalances. And when you struggle with infertility, you may feel even more stressed out, which can further compound the negative impacts of that stress.
To cope with stress and anxiety, it’s a good idea to adopt practices like:
- Daily meditation, yoga, or stretching routines
- Deep breathing exercises for stressful situations
- Aromatherapy and reflexology
3. Get Educated
Fertility is a complex subject and there are plenty of things that weren’t covered in your high school’s sex-ed course. It’s a good idea to explore educational resources and read up on the facts surrounding fertility. Take time to read and learn about fertility, understand what your barriers to conception could be, and recognize resources that can help you with your fertility journey. Ask questions and do what you can to grow your knowledge of fertility in both men and women.
4. Take Fertility Supplements
Did you know that there are many fertility supplements for men on the market today? These daily capsules are loaded with tons of ingredients and unique formulas. Thus, they have been shown to improve sperm quality and increase the likelihood of conception. Men who are trying to conceive should consider taking a daily fertility supplement to optimize their fertility status.
5. Seek Support and Counseling
Dealing with infertility can be emotionally stressful for couples. You need to find ways to release those emotions before they build up too much and spill over into other facets of your life. It is important to seek support from friends and family and find opportunities to express yourself with them. This can help to ease the emotional burden of infertility and allow you a safe space to de-stress.
You and your partner may also consider meeting with a couple’s counselor. This type of therapy can be very helpful for improving the foundation of your relationship and breaking down stigmas surrounding male fertility. By having a safe space to communicate and express yourself, you can drastically ease your burden and develop a new perspective on your situation.
6. Limit Your Alcohol Intake
Research has shown that even moderate alcohol consumption can lower sperm count and motility. In addition, excessive alcohol consumption can also affect hormone levels and may damage the reproductive system.
To maximize your chances of conceiving, it’s recommended that men limit their alcohol intake while trying to conceive.
7. Quit Smoking
If you’re struggling with infertility and you’re a smoker, make it your top priority to quit cigarettes or drastically reduce your smoking habits. It may not be easy, but the benefits to your overall health and fertility are well worth the effort.
Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you quit. Things like nicotine replacement therapies like patches and gum or prescription medications and support groups can greatly support your journey without smoking.
How Partners Can Support Each Other
Despite all the difficulties that infertility can throw at you, there are practical steps that couples can take to support each other and increase their chances of conception. If your partner is struggling with infertility, you can aid with them by following these steps:
- Attend Appointments Together: Infertility can be a complex medical issue, and you’re on this path to pregnancy together. For that reason, it is essential that both partners understand their fertility diagnoses and treatment options. If both parties are comfortable with the idea, couples should strive to attend medical appointments together and ask questions at those appointments to better understand their options.
- Maintain Good Communication: Open and honest communication is key when navigating your path to pregnancy, especially when you are dealing with infertility issues. Both partners should share their thoughts and feelings about the experience and work together to support each other.
- Adopt Healthy Habits Together: As we noted earlier, infertility may be linked to lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise. If you want to make your healthy habits stick, it’s a good idea for both partners to adopt healthy habits together to improve your accountability and navigate these changes together. Try to implement a more consistent exercise routine together, improve the nutrition of your daily meals, and cut back on unhealthy habits by replacing them with new, healthy ones.
- Explore Fertility Options Together: Infertility treatments range widely in terms of cost, time commitments, and emotional weight. When dealing with infertility, it’s a good idea to explore your options for fertility treatments together. This can greatly reduce the pressure and stress of the process and help you both feel more comfortable for your next steps.
Conclusion
If you’ve been diagnosed with male factor infertility, don’t give up hope on your chances of conception! Most cases of male infertility can be corrected when you get the support of a male fertility specialist. Get started with your partner today.
