The causes of infertility in men include problems that affect a man’s sexual functioning, which in turn makes it difficult to conceive. It may be caused by problems with hormone levels, quantity of semen, and the sperm’s ability to properly fertilize an egg.
Common causes of infertility in men
For a man to be fertile, he must be able to sustain an erection, have high sperm counts, and have enough semen to carry healthy, mature sperm to fertilize an egg. If one of these components is missing, it may be one of the causes of infertility in men.
Injuries and physical trauma to the testes contribute to causes of infertility in men. Injuries can reduce or eliminate sperm production and lessen the chances of conception.
Both physical and psychological issues can also lead to causes of infertility in men. Being unable to maintain an erection, to become sexually aroused and other types of issues affect male fertility.
There’s also a clear relationship between male obesity and decreased testosterone and decreased libido. Likewise, smoking has been clearly linked with decrease in sperm function. In addition, poor nutrition and stress may contribute to causes of infertility in men.
Health issues can play a role, too
Chronic illnesses (like diabetes) and fever can sometimes be the culprit. Infections can also lower sperm counts.
Other causes of infertility in men include thyroid disease, DES exposure in the womb, environmental toxins, and genetic problems. STDs can lower sperm count and mobility, causing inflammation and infertility.
Your sperm count matters
One of the primary causes of infertility in men is related to low sperm count, and a man’s inability to produce sperm. Some men have weak or slow sperm that cannot reach the egg. Or the sperm may be rejected by substances in the female’s body (antibodies) that prevent successful implantation of an embryo .
Some genetic conditions may reduce sperm counts. While age is a factor in female fertility, most men are fertile until around age 60, even as sperm production starts to decline at age 40.
And sometimes men have a high sperm count but lack the ability to release the sperm. Without being released, the sperm are unable to fertilize the egg.
What are less common causes of infertility in men?
Less common causes of infertility in men include problems such as retrograde flow of sperm. When the sperm is ejaculated, it travels back into the bladder and does not enter the woman’s body. This condition may be caused by medications or occur after surgery.
What about varicoceles and hormone problems?
Varicoceles are common causes of infertility in men. About15 percent of men have this condition, which is caused by blood pooling in the scrotum. This causes a raise in the body temperature, leading to discomfort and potentially low sperm counts.
Hormone problems can affect fertility, as well. If a man has an early or late onset of puberty, problems with erections or low sexual desire, he should have his hormone levels checked.
Some men are infertile because their testicles did not descend during puberty. Other men are born with structural tubal obstructions. These obstructions can also be caused by STDs.
Surgeries may also be causes of infertility in men. For instance, hernia repair surgery may damage the vas deferens, blocking the normal flow of sperm.
Medication and infertility
Yes, medications can certainly play a role in male infertility. For example, certain antacids, antidepressants, chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, and blood pressure medications are linked to lower sperm counts.
In addition, some findings show that cigarette smoking, heavy use of alcohol and illicit drugs such as cocaine and marijuana to be causes of infertility in men.
Ask a doctor about infertility symptomsSources: NIH: Infertility/Fertility. Resolve.org: Preventative Medicine and Male Fertility: Facts and Fiction Familydoctor.org: Male Infertility. Mayoclinic.com: Infertility. Vorvick L, Storck, S., Zieve, D. Infertility. Medline Plus. Bruce, DF, Thatcher, S. Making a Baby: Everything you need to know to get pregnant.
