Sperm Production Issues
Several issues can impact a male's sperm count and quality, including:
- Varicocele – a common and correctable cause of male fertility problems in which veins bulge on top of the testicle(s)
- Undescended testicle (when a testicle does not move from inside the body into the scrotum prior to birth)
- Infections that harm the testes
- Chemotherapy and certain medications, including steroids, male hormones such as testosterone, seizure medications, calcium channel blockers, and anti-androgen medications
- Genetic malformations
- Hormonal irregularities
Sperm Motility & Function Issues
Some men have normal sperm production, but issues with the sperm, seminal fluid, or reproductive organs bar the sperm from being able to complete the journey as intended. Men who have this issue produce sperm in the testicles, but the sperm does not get into the semen or the semen does not get ejaculated. Reasons for this type of male infertility include:
- Retrograde Ejaculation, which is when ejaculation is backward, moving into the bladder instead of through the penis
- Absence of the vas deferens
- Obstruction in the reproductive system, which can occur anywhere in the tubing throughout the penis
- Anti-sperm antibodies (i.e., auto-immune cells that destroy a person’s own sperm)
Up to 25% of men who have male infertility will not be able to identify any direct cause of sperm abnormalities.
Male Infertility Diagnosis & Treatment
Usually, infertile couples will be assessed for fertility issues at the same time. For men, the first test that is conducted is a semen analysis. Semen is collected through masturbation (usually at home or in a private collection room at one of our 5 clinics) in order to assess sperm count, shape, and movement.
If it is determined that a man has abnormal semen parameters, he may seek additional testing and treatment through a urologist, especially if there is a hormonal imbalance at play. In addition, there are many fertility treatments that can be used, such as IUI (intrauterine insemination) and IVF (In vitro fertilization) which have made conception possible despite sperm abnormalities and male infertility.
