Male Factors
There are many reasons why a man may experience infertility. Some of these problems are a result of natural causes (e.g. underdeveloped organs), illnesses (e.g. cancer, diabetes, and sexually transmitted diseases), lifestyle and environmental factors (e.g. stress, smoking, and exposure to chemicals) or surgeries. Below are some causes of male infertility:
Research indicates the most common cause for male infertility is associated with the sperm. For instance, low sperm count may be a factor. Also, the sperm may not be of high quality and therefore cannot move rapidly enough or in the right direction, or may be abnormally shaped. Sperm disorders are caused by many factors:
- Illnesses - There are many illnesses which may result in infertility. For instance:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases may damage the parts of the body that transport sperm through the reproductive tract.
Cancer patients are at risk for infertility. Depending upon the location of the treatment and the drug and dosage used, chemotherapy and radiation may contribute to fertility problems.
Diabetes can contribute to infertility for men. When a man has diabetes, or any form of insulin resistance, a hormonal imbalance exist. When one hormone is out of balance, it affects other hormones, including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels. These hormone imbalances can cause a wide variety of side effects, ranging from ovarian cysts to erectile dysfunction and infertility.
Immune Disorders can cause a man's body to treat sperm as if it were a foreign matter. As a result, the immune system may produce antibodies to fight and destroy the sperm.
- Age - Around 35 years of age, mem may begin to experience a decline in fertility. Sperm motility also declines with age.
- ff
- Other Factors - Lifestyle and environmental factors may lead to issues with a man's sperm.
Impotence or erection dysfunctions (ED) make it difficult for a man and woman to have intercourse, thereby making conception a challenge. Impotence is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection, it affects an estimated 25 to 30 million men at some point in their lives. About 10 to 20% of cases are explained by psychological factors, like depression, stress, or anxiety. Approximately 70% of chronic cases are caused by disease, like diabetes, kidney disease and alcoholism, which can impair blood flow to the penis.
Problems may exist with the make up of your body structure or organs that may impact infertility. Varicocele is one of the most commonly identifiable causes of male infertility found in about 15% of males and in approximately 40% of infertile men. Varicocele is a varicose vein around a testicle that may hinder sperm production, movement and shape by raising the testicle's temperature. Others may experience retrograde ejaculation which involves the ejaculate flowing backward into the bladder instead of leaving the penis.Undescended testicles is a condition in which one or both testicles did not move form inside the abdomen down (descend) into the scrotum. Testicles that don't descend into the scrotum are not likely to function normally and may cause infertility because they may not make sperm, they can cause fertility difficulties. Erectile dysfunction is the inability to get or maintain an erection which is essential for ejaculation.
If a man has had a vasectomy, the likelihood of a woman becoming pregnant is minimal. The operation is involves cutting the tubes called the vas deferens so that sperm can no longer get into the semen, thereby, preventing a woman from getting pregnant. Some vasectomies can be undone, or reversed.
This happens when a man has an orgasm sooner than he or his partner would like. Premature ejaculation can happen before or shortly after penetration. About 30 percent to 40 percent of men have this problem at some time in their lives.
- Medical Problems - Below are other problems which may affect male infertility:
- Mumps after puberty
- Hernia repairs
- Athletic injuries to the groin
- History of undescended testicles
References
|
