Male infertility is a lot more common than most people realize. In fact, fertility issues affect men as much as they affect women, with research suggesting one-third of fertility issues involve male factors, one-third involve female factors, and the final third involves a combination of both male and female factors.
Fortunately, just like female infertility issues, male infertility issues are treatable. It all begins with knowing what’s causing the underlying problem.
Alfred Shtainer, MD, FACS, is a top-ranked provider of male infertility therapies, helping patients at Adult and Pediatric Urology achieve their family-planning goals. Here, learn about the most common causes of male fertility and what we can do to help.
Conception happens when a sperm (or sometimes, multiple sperm) successfully reaches an egg cell. With women, many fertility issues center around the “egg part” of that equation (ovulation issues), while for men, fertility concerns usually involve the sperm.
In most cases, male fertility issues happen when:
Other times, problems with ejaculation can interfere with conception, typically due to erectile dysfunction (ED) or, sometimes, blockages in the tube that transports sperm.
Hormonal imbalances, infections, and even genetic conditions can all play roles in sperm quality and count, too, and so can certain medical treatments or medications. In some men, varicoceles — enlarged veins in the scrotum — can raise the temperature in the testicles, interfering with sperm production.
Finally, as with women, lifestyle factors can impair fertility in men. That includes habits like smoking, excess alcohol consumption, being overweight or obese, and hobbies or occupations that expose the groin area to heat regularly. Even chronic stress can affect hormone levels and, in turn, interfere with fertility.
Treating male infertility begins with a comprehensive exam, typically only after you and your partner have tried to conceive for a year without success (or for six consecutive months if the female partner is 35 or older). You might also seek treatment earlier than a year if you have known issues, like erectile dysfunction or an undescended testicle.
During your exam, Dr. Shtainer reviews your medical history and performs a series of tests to evaluate your sperm count, motility, and quality. He may recommend blood tests or other lab work, as well as diagnostic imaging.
Once the cause of infertility is identified, Dr. Shtainer tailors a treatment program just for you. Therapies might include procedures to correct blockages or repair varicoceles, medications to treat infections, or hormone therapy. Some men may benefit from treatments for ED or, for more severe cases, Dr. Shtainer might recommend intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Typically, medical treatment is accompanied by lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking, reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption, losing excess weight, and managing stress. Avoid hot tubs and saunas, and wear loose-fitting underwear to help prevent overheating that can damage sperm.
Fertility issues are bound to cause anxiety, but the good news is that many treatments can help. If you’ve been struggling with infertility, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Shtainer and the team at Adult and Pediatric Urology in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, New York, today.
