Male Infertility (MI)

Male infertility refers to the inability of a man to impregnate a fertile female partner after regular, unprotected intercourse over a certain period of time (usually one to two years). It can result from various factors that affect sperm production, sperm quality, or sperm delivery. These factors may include hormonal imbalances, anatomical abnormalities, genetic disorders, lifestyle factors (such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption), environmental factors (such as exposure to toxins or radiation), certain medications, or underlying medical conditions (such as infections or chronic diseases). Male infertility can be diagnosed through semen analysis, hormonal testing, imaging studies, and other specialized tests, and treatment options may include lifestyle modifications, hormonal therapy, surgical interventions, or assisted reproductive technologies (such as in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection) depending on the underlying cause.

Who is Male Infertility suitable for?

• History of Unsuccessful Conception: Male infertility evaluation and treatment are suitable for couples who have been unable to conceive after regular, unprotected intercourse for one to two years.
• Known Risk Factors: Men with known risk factors for male infertility, such as a history of undescended testicles, previous groin or scrotal surgery, genetic disorders, hormonal imbalances, or exposure to environmental toxins, may benefit from evaluation and treatment.
• Desire for Parenthood: Couples who desire to conceive a child but are facing challenges due to male infertility may seek evaluation and treatment options to improve their chances of successful conception.

What does Male Infertility involve?

• Medical Evaluation: Men undergoing evaluation for male infertility typically undergo a comprehensive medical history assessment, physical examination, semen analysis to assess sperm count, motility, and morphology, hormonal testing, genetic testing, and other specialized tests as indicated to identify potential causes of infertility.
• Lifestyle Modifications: Men may be advised to make lifestyle modifications to improve sperm quality and overall fertility, such as maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, avoiding illicit drugs, and managing stress.
• Medical Treatment: Treatment options for male infertility may include hormonal therapy to address hormonal imbalances, medications to treat infections or underlying medical conditions, surgical interventions to correct anatomical abnormalities or blockages in the reproductive tract, or assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in severe cases.
• Emotional Support: Men experiencing male infertility may benefit from emotional support, counseling, or support groups to cope with the emotional impact of infertility and the challenges associated with evaluation and treatment.

What are the symptoms of male infertility?

• Difficulty Conceiving: The primary symptom of male infertility is the inability to conceive a child with a fertile female partner after regular, unprotected intercourse for an extended period of time (usually one to two years).
• Changes in Sexual Function: Men with male infertility may experience changes in sexual function, such as erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory disorders, or decreased libido, which can affect fertility.
• Physical Symptoms: In some cases, male infertility may be associated with physical symptoms such as pain, swelling, or lumps in the testicles or scrotum, which may indicate underlying medical conditions requiring evaluation and treatment.