According to expert sexologist in Lahore male infertility is responsible for a significant number of couples being childless. The causes of male infertility can range from chronic health problems, illnesses, injuries and even lifestyle choices. Read on to know more about male infertility and its risk factors:
For assessment of infertility, both partners should be evaluated to determine the pathway ahead for having a baby. This can include specific treatments or proceeding with assisted reproductive techniques. The good news for both partners is that a number of treatments are available to help conceive a child.
What are the symptoms of male infertility?
Male infertility presents with the obvious inability to have a baby. Additional presenting symptoms depend on the underlying disorder such as hormonal disturbance, dilated testicular veins or any other inherited disorder. The signs and symptoms of male infertility include:
- Abnormal breast growth in men (gynecomastia)
- Pain and swelling in the testicles
- Sexual dysfunction such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction and delayed ejaculation
- Loss of smell
- Recurrent infections
- Hormonal abnormality that presents with decreased body hair and facial hair
- Sperm count less than 15 million sperms/ml semen
- Discomfort and swelling in the testicles
- Prostate disorders
- Previous history of penile or scrotal surgery
What are the causes of male infertility?
The causes of male infertility can be far ranging and complex. These include:
- Medical causes
o   Infection
o   Varicocele
o   Undescended testis
o   Ejaculatory disorders
o   Autoantibodies
o   Tumors
o   Hormonal imbalance
o   Chromosomal defects
o   Certain medications
o   Celiac disease
o   Previous surgeries
o   Tubular defects
- Lifestyle causes
o   Cigarette smoking
o   Drug use
o   Alcohol use
o   Obesity
- Environmental causes
o   Heavy metal exposure
o   Chemicals
o   Exposure to radiation
o   Exposure to heat
What are the risk factors associated with male infertility?
The risks associated with male infertility include:
- Certain medical conditions can predispose to the development of male infertility including sickle cell disease and tumors
- Exposure to alcohol and illicit drugs
- Obesity and being overweight
- Incidence of male infertility is higher in individuals withhistory of trauma to the testicular region
- History of medical treatment or surgery can predispose to infertility
- Some people have inherited fertility disorders
- People who reverse vasectomy can have persistent inability to have children
- Exposure to toxins can increase the likelihood of infertility
What are the complications of male infertility?
As with any disease, male infertility can have its own complications, including
- Increased risk of testicular cancer
- Increased risk of prostate cancer
- Relationship difficulties
How to prevent male infertility?
While male infertility is not always preventable or treatable, there are certain measures that can be taken to decrease its risk, and these include:
- Avoiding exposure to heavy metals, toxins and pesticides
- Exercising and maintain healthy weight
- Not using illegal drugs
- Abstaining from smoking and alcohol
- Reducing stress
- Avoiding exposure to heat
How is male infertility diagnosed?
A number of investigations help to identify the exact cause of male infertility. These diagnostic investigations are:
- Hormone testing: sex hormones play a key role in the sexual development and sperm production. Any abnormalities in the male sex hormones such as testosterone can result in infertility. Therefore, base line testing of hormone levels is always done.
- Scrotal ultrasound: high-frequency sound waves are used to create an image of the testes to see any anatomical disturbance in the testicular and supporting tissue.
- Transrectal ultrasound: this type of ultrasound allows the healthcare provider to check the prostate and other male sex organs for blockage.
- Testicular biopsy: part of the testicular tissue is looked at under the microscope to check sperm production.
- Post-ejaculation urinalysis: any sperm in the urine can indicate retrograde ejaculation or travelling of sperm backwards towards the bladder instead of the penis.
What are the treatment options for male infertility?
The treatment options by best sexologist in Karachi can involve:
- Treating the underlying infection: antibiotic therapy is used to treat the underlying infection.
- Management of hormonal imbalance: any hormonal imbalance is treated by analogous or antagonist drugs.
- Surgery: varicoceles and obstructions are surgically corrected.
- Assisted reproductive technology (ART): if nothing else works, sperms can be retrieved and used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection or in vitro fertilization.