Male infertility treatment is an important part of helping couples who are facing issues in conceiving due to male-related issues. It includes checking the male partner’s fertility health and finding the right treatment based on the cause. It’s important to consult with your fertility specialist to get the right guidance. By this way, men can improve their chances of becoming a parent through proper treatment and care.
At RISAA IVF, Dr. Rita Bakshi and her team provide full support and care for male infertility. In this blog, we will discuss everything about male infertility. We will include its causes, how it is diagnosed, and the different treatment options available to help couples start their family.
What is Male Infertility?
Male infertility means a man is having issues in making his partner pregnant, even after trying for a year without protection. It usually happens when there are problems with the sperm. It includes low sperm count, poor movement, or abnormal shape. Sometimes, there may also be issues with sperm delivery. Male infertility is common and can be treated with the right medical help and support.
Male Infertility Symptoms
Most men with infertility may not notice any clear signs until they try to have a baby. However, some common symptoms can include:
- They face trouble in getting their partner pregnant
- Low sex drive
- Problems with erection or ejaculation
- Pain, swelling, or lumps in the testicles
- Decreased facial or body hair
- Fewer or abnormal sperm found in semen tests
Common Causes of Male Infertility
Male infertility can happen due to many reasons, some related to health and others to lifestyle. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Low sperm count: Fewer sperm reduce the chance of fertilizing an egg.
- Poor sperm movement (motility): Sperm must swim well to reach the egg.
- Abnormal sperm shape (morphology): Irregularly shaped sperm may not fertilize the egg.
- Varicocele: Swollen veins in the testicle that affect sperm production.
- Hormone imbalance: Low testosterone or other hormone issues.
- Infections: Conditions like mumps or STIs can damage sperm health.
- Lifestyle habits: Smoking, alcohol, drug use, and obesity can affect fertility.
- Exposure to heat or toxins: Frequent use of hot tubs, or exposure to chemicals or radiation.
- Genetic issues: Some men are born with genetic problems that affect sperm production.
Note: It’s important to understand the cause to find the right male infertility treatment. It’s better to consult a fertility specialist for proper guidance. You can also consult Dr. Rita Bakshi (Senior IVF Specialist) to know about your fertility health.
Male Infertility Diagnosis
It’s important to find the cause of male infertility. To find this, doctors do a few simple and painless tests. These tests help to understand the sperm’s health and any possible issues. Some common diagnosis steps include the following:
- Semen analysis: This checks the number, shape, and movement of sperm.
- Hormone tests: It helps to see if hormone levels like testosterone are normal.
- Physical exam: The doctor checks for problems like swollen veins or testicle issues.
- Scrotal ultrasound: A scan to check for blockages or swelling in the testicles.
- Genetic testing: If needed, to find inherited conditions that may affect fertility.
- Urine test after ejaculation: To check for sperm in the urine (retrograde ejaculation).
These tests help the doctor find the best male infertility treatment for every individual. A fertility specialist will understand your health history and suggest the best way to help you conceive.
Male Infertility Treatment Options
There are different ways to treat male infertility and it depends on the cause. Some men may only need simple changes in their lifestyle and there are some others who may need medical help. Here are the most common male infertility treatment options:
- Medicines: Hormone therapy or other medicines to improve sperm count and quality.
- Lifestyle changes: It’s important to eat healthy, quit smoking, reduce alcohol, manage stress, and maintain a healthy weight.
- Supplements: Some vitamins and antioxidants may help improve sperm health.
- Surgery: For conditions like varicocele (swollen veins) or to fix a blockage in the sperm pathway.
- Sperm retrieval: When sperm is not present in the semen, it can sometimes be taken directly from the testicles.
- Assisted reproductive techniques: It includes treatments like IVF or ICSI, where the sperm is directly injected into the egg to help with fertilization.
IVF and ICSI for Male Infertility
IVF for male infertility is an effective option when sperm issues are present, such as low sperm count, poor sperm movement, or abnormal sperm shape. In a standard IVF process, eggs and sperm are combined in a lab dish for fertilization. However, when sperm issues affect natural fertilization there are techniques like ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) which are used to help the couple.
In ICSI, a single healthy sperm is injected directly into an egg. It helps with fertilization, especially when sperm issues are serious. This is commonly used in IVF for male infertility when sperm count is low or when sperm needs to be retrieved directly from the testicles. IVF and ICSI work together to solve sperm-related issues. It helps to increase the chances of successful pregnancy for couples who are facing male infertility.
Azoospermia and IVF
Azoospermia is a condition where there is no sperm in the semen and can make natural conception hard. This can happen due to a blockage in the sperm ducts or problems with sperm production in the testicles. However, IVF helps those men who have azoospermia.
In IVF, even if no sperm is present in the semen, sperm can be directly retrieved from the testicles using techniques like TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration) or PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration). Once sperm is retrieved, it can be injected into the egg using ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) and increases the chances of fertilization.
When Should You See a Fertility Doctor?
It’s important to see a fertility doctor if you and your partner have been trying to conceive for a year or more without success. For women over 35, it’s recommended to seek help after six months of trying. If you have a known medical condition, such as low sperm count, or a history of surgeries or infections that can affect fertility then it’s important to see a doctor immediately.
Additionally, if you experience symptoms like erectile dysfunction (ED) or abnormal sperm health then it’s best to consult a fertility specialist for advice and proper testing. A fertility expert can help you through diagnosis and male infertility treatment to help you become parents.
Final Word
Male infertility treatment plays a very crucial role for couples who are facing difficulty in getting pregnant. In this blog, we have shared the causes, diagnosis, and treatment options for male infertility, including advanced methods like IVF and ICSI. We hope this helps you understand the available solutions and choose the right treatment to become parents. It’s important to consult a fertility specialist who can provide a personalized treatment plan and ensure the best possible care.
At RISAA IVF, Dr. Rita Bakshi and her expert team have successfully helped many couples to achieve their dream to become parents. The RISAA IVF team is ready to guide you with the best support and treatment options. For more information or a personalized consultation, you can contact us at 95555 44421/22/23 or email us at [email protected].
