It is very important to understand the cause of male infertility. Not only will this help in seeking appropriate medical treatment but will also increase the odds of conception.
Here is some basic information on some of the most common causes of male infertility:
a) Low sperm count
One of the most common causes of fertility issues in men is low sperm count. This can be corrected to some extent with the help of medical treatment. A low sperm count happens when the male semen does not have enough sperm. This can be caused due to hormonal changes, use of certain medications, illicit drug use, alcohol use or abuse, excessive caffeine intake and smoking. Many a time testicular overheating or an injury can also result in low sperm count. Testicular overheating can occur due to use of hot tub or sauna, a heated water-bed or wearing tight underwear.
Surgical Varicocele repair can increase the chances of conception by improving sperm count. In vitro fertilization (IVF) can also result in pregnancy with low sperm count. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), also called intrauterine insemination (IUI) used in combination with IVF is another procedure which can enhance the chances of conception in cases of men with low sperm count.
b) Low sperm motility
The second most common cause of male infertility is low sperm motility. In case the male sperm fails to move forward at a reasonable rate there will be problems in conception. This can be caused due to low sperm count, use of certain medications, drug use, alcohol use, excessive use of caffeine, smoking or testicular injury. It can also be a result of testicular overheating.
c) Abnormal sperm
Fertility will be impacted whenever the male sperm does not develop correctly or if it has an abnormal shape. This can be due to some of the factor that causes other sperm related issues mentioned above. Exposure to heavy metals or to certain chemicals is also known to cause abnormal sperm.
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