Male Infertility: A comprehensive guide to the causes of male infertility.

Stats About Blokes Infertility

You wouldn't believe it but stats are pretty lean when it comes to understanding how our jatz-crackers are contributing to couple's infertility. But most accounts suggest about one-third of cases of infertility are due to the poor male semen quality.

It can be challenging to understand the different causes of male infertility and how they might apply to you or your partner.

If you’re trying to have a baby with your partner, understanding the many possible explanations for why you aren’t conceiving is paramount. If you and your partner are having trouble conceiving, there are many possible explanations. Male infertility can make it harder to get pregnant or stay pregnant once you do get pregnant. The following guide will help explain what is known about the causes of male infertility, as well as ways that blokes can improve their fertility if they want to become fathers someday.

Male Infertility & Impotence - they are not related!

Male infertility is defined as the inability of a male to produce a child. Infertility may be caused by either the male or the female partner.

Fellas, male infertility is not the same as impotence, which refers to the inability to sustain an erection.

Impotence can be caused by a number of factors, most of which are unrelated to male infertility, but since both conditions may affect men in their reproductive years, it’s important to understand the distinction.

Hormone Deficiencies

Much of a bloke's reproductive health depends largely on the proper functioning of hormones. These include testosterone, which is responsible for a number of sexual and reproductive functions.

If your body is not producing enough testosterone, it could be a significant factor in your infertility.

Testosterone levels are typically highest in men between the ages of 25 and 35, and can decline later in life. If you’re well into your thirties and still trying to conceive, it’s important to monitor your testosterone levels to make sure they’re high enough. The quality and quantity of sperm are also determined by the level of testosterone in the blood. This is why men with low testosterone may also have low sperm counts.

Infection or Disease of the Testes

Male infertility may also be caused by an infection or disease that affects the testes, including mumps orchitis (swollen testes and glands), or the spread of an existing sexually transmitted disease (STD) to the testes. This could cause reduced sperm production or damage the sperm themselves, thus reducing the likelihood of conception. Men with a disease or condition that affects the testes should consult a doctor, who can perform a physical examination and order tests if needed. Early diagnosis and treatment may be able to prevent long-term reproductive damage or even infertility.

Problems With Sperm Production

There are three parts to sperm production: creation of the sperm cell itself, maturation of the sperm cells in the testes, and transport of the sperm to the epididymis and then to the vas deferens. If any of these processes are impaired, there could be a significant reduction in sperm production. The first step in sperm production is the creation of a special cell that is then divided a number of times to create a large number of sperm cells. This cell may be destroyed if there is a viral or bacterial infection in the testes. If there is a blockage in the epididymis (the tube that transports sperm cells to the vas deferens), it could prevent the sperm cells from reaching the vas deferens, where they’re stored and transported to the ejaculate. Trauma to the testes or a genetic defect in sperm production may also cause problems with sperm production.

Your Nutrition & Weight Could Also Be A Contributing Factor

Obesity (as we all know) is is a major problem in most countries around the world, with rates doubling approx every 10 years (Langley-Evans, 2015). Obese and overweight blokes are the most likely to experience conditions related to lower sperm counts.

Spoiler alert! Alcohol consumed in excess (yep, a 6 pack of beer, bottle of red and few bourbons each night is not o.k.) is frequently reported to be a possible cause and is associated with lower total sperm counts, semen volume, sperm motility, and increased numbers of sperm with abnormal morphology (Emanuele and Emanuele 2001).

BUT the good news is moderate consumption is shown to have little to no impact at all (Hansen 2012).

What Should Do Next

The causes of male infertility are nuanced and varied. Talk to your partner about how you are feeling AND YOU MUST speak to your doctor or fertility specialists about how you are feeling, your concerns and these possible causes and treatments. Seeking the right advice and addressing the problems could help you and your partner on the path to starting a family.

Get back to healthy living.