Symptoms and Causes of Male Infertility and Ways to Deal With It

Symptoms of Male Infertility

• Sexual function troubles: Challenges include difficulty ejaculating, producing only a small amount of fluid, or struggling to maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction). A reduced desire for intercourse can also be a hint.
• Testicle issues: Pain, swelling, or a lump in the testicle area could signal a problem affecting fertility.
• Hormonal or physical changes: Abnormal breast growth (called gynecomastia), less facial or body hair than usual, or even recurrent respiratory infections might point to hormonal imbalances or chromosomal issues.
• Low sperm count: A semen test that shows fewer than 15 million sperm per millilitre of semen or a total count of less than 39 million per ejaculate can make conception more difficult.
• Other unusual signs: Things like an inability to smell or symptoms like tiredness, depression, or weight gain could suggest low testosterone production.

Causes of Male Infertility

Medical Causes

• Varicocele: This means the veins in the scrotum swell. It affects blood flow and potentially reduces sperm quality or quantity.
• Infections: Certain infections, like inflammation of the testicles (orchitis), epididymis (epididymitis), or sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhoea or HIV, can harm sperm production or cause scarring that blocks sperm passage.
• Ejaculation problems: Sometimes semen goes backwards into the bladder instead of out of the penis (retrograde ejaculation). It can happen due to conditions like diabetes, spinal injuries, or surgeries on the bladder or prostate.
• Anti-sperm antibodies: The immune system mistakenly attacks sperm, treating them as invaders. This makes it difficult for the sperm to function properly.
• Hormonal imbalances: Low testosterone or issues with the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, or adrenal glands can disrupt sperm production.
• Undescended testicles: If one or both testicles didn’t move into the scrotum before birth, it can lower fertility.
• Genetic conditions: Disorders like Klinefelter’s syndrome (where a man has an extra X chromosome) or other genetic issues can affect reproductive organ development.
• Tumours or chronic diseases: Cancers in the reproductive organs or chronic conditions like cystic fibrosis can impair fertility.
• Medications: Drugs like testosterone replacement therapy, long-term anabolic steroids, some cancer treatments, ulcer medications, or arthritis drugs can lower sperm production.
• Erectile dysfunction or sexual issues: Problems like premature ejaculation, painful intercourse, or anatomical issues can make conception difficult.
• Celiac disease: This is a digestive problem caused by gluten. It’s sometimes linked to infertility, but switching to a gluten-free diet may help.

Environmental Causes

• Chemical exposure: Being around things like pesticides, herbicides, solvents, or paint for a long time can lower sperm count.
• Heavy metals: Exposure to lead or other heavy metals may cause male infertility.
• Radiation: Radiation, including X-rays, can decrease sperm production. The impact may be temporary or permanent, depending on the level of exposure.
• Heat: Excess heat around the testicles can affect sperm count. This may result from wearing tight clothing, sitting for long periods, or placing a laptop on the lap. The link is possible but not yet fully proven.

Lifestyle and Other Causes

• Drug use: Substances like anabolic steroids, cocaine, or marijuana can shrink the testicles and reduce both the number and quality of sperm.
• Alcohol: Excessive drinking can reduce testosterone, cause erectile dysfunction, or harm sperm production.
• Smoking: Using tobacco is linked to a drop in sperm count. Even secondhand smoke can have the same effect.
• Obesity: Carrying excess weight can directly affect sperm or cause hormonal changes that make it harder to conceive.

Ways to Deal with Male Infertility

Lifestyle Changes

• Maintain a healthy weight: If you’re overweight, losing weight can help sperm health. Focus on fruits, vegetables, legumes, and low-fat milk. Try to avoid processed meats, sweets, soy, high-fat dairy, and sugary drinks.
• Exercise regularly: Regular activity like walking, jogging, cycling, or lifting weights supports fertility as well as general health.
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol: Stopping tobacco and drinking less alcohol can improve testosterone levels and sperm quality.
• Reduce heat exposure: Consider wearing loose-fitting underwear like boxers to keep testicles cooler.
• Manage stress: High stress can upset hormone balance. Try calming methods like meditation or yoga.
• Avoid harmful chemicals: If you work around pesticides, heavy metals, or other toxins, use protective gear to lower exposure.

Medical Treatments

• Hormone therapy: If hormone imbalance is the cause, medicines can restore testosterone or other hormone levels to improve sperm production.
• Antibiotics for infections: Treating infections in the reproductive system can sometimes restore fertility.
• Surgery: Procedures like varicocelectomy (to remove varicose veins in the scrotum), vasectomy reversal, or vasoepididymostomy (to clear blockages in the epididymis) can address physical issues.
• Assisted reproductive technology (ART): ART can help if other treatments don’t work. In vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are two common options.

FAQs on Symptoms and Causes of Male Infertility and Ways to Deal With It

1. Do nutritional deficiencies contribute to male infertility?
   Yes, lacking key nutrients like zinc, vitamins C and E, B12, and folate can affect sperm health and hormone balance.
2. Can certain sports impact male fertility?
   Yes, sports that involve long hours of cycling or weightlifting can reduce sperm quality.