- The American Society for Reproductive Medicine defines infertility as the inability to reproduce due to the impairment of the reproductive system. If a couple has been attempting to conceive for six months to a year without success is identified as infertile. Approximately forty percent of infertility cases are due to male infertility. Some causes of infertility in men are temporary and treatable, while others causes are genetic or permanent. Sometimes infertility is a symptom of another medical ailment.
- Infertility can be due to a number of reasons,or combination of reasons: environmental factors, genetic factors, age, lifestyle, diseases, medical conditions, or medication side effects. Some temporary, more treatable forms of infertility can arise from obesity, testicular overheating, bicycling, malnutrition, use of substances such as drugs, alcohol or nicotine, or excessive stress. These can result in a temporary decrease in sperm count, and behavior modifications can result in reversing the situation.
- Some causes of infertility are not as easy to correct. With age, sperm count and sperm quality can decline. Genetic factors that result in the production of sperm with damaged sperm, or sperm with damaged DNA. Genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis or poly-cystic kidney disease can inhibit the passage of sperm through the reproductive system. Varicocele, which is basically testicular varicose veins, also interfere with sperm passage. The use of certain medications or exposure to toxins, such as chemicals or lead, can also result in reduced sperm count or damaged sperm.
- In many cultures throughout history there has been a stigma attached to infertility that to this day is hard for some men to overcome psychologically. Anxiety about failed attempts to reproduce can produce stress hormones that can exacerbate the problem. Many infertile men take a blow to their self esteem. There may be feelings of shame, embarrassment, or depression, and these feelings can result in a strain on the marriage. Counseling is as essential as physical medical treatment.
- If infertility is suspected, a doctor will investigate the cause by taking a complete medical history, giving a physical and doing a host of tests to seek out possible underlying medical conditions, and will take and analyze semen samples. Treatment will be based on the outcome of the examination and tests. Treatment may be a simple case of changing behavior, such as diet or habits. Other treatment includes drug therapy or surgical procedures. A final option is using Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), such as in vitro fertilization or artificial insemination. If all else fails, a doctor may recommend the couple find a sperm donor.
