Male infertility

Male infertility is a disorder of male reproductive function that prevents conception for a year of regular sexual activity without contraception. This disorder can be caused by numerous factors, ranging from hormonal and genetic disorders to inflammatory diseases and anatomical peculiarities. Early detection of the causes of infertility and appropriate treatment significantly increase the chances of conception.

Causes and Development Mechanism

The causes of male infertility can be diverse. Among these, we can mention a decrease in sperm count, deterioration of their motility or morphological abnormalities, as well as varicocele, which is a significant varicose dilation of the veins in the spermatic cord leading to increased local temperature and affecting sperm quality. Hormonal imbalance, particularly testosterone deficiency, can disrupt spermatogenesis processes. Additionally, infertility can be caused by serious conditions such as azoospermia (total absence of sperm) or oligospermia (extremely low sperm count), related to disturbances in sperm production or ejaculation.

Some men face congenital genetic anomalies, such as Y chromosome microdeletions or Klinefelter syndrome. Ejaculation disorders, including retrograde ejaculation or obstruction of the spermatic ducts, can also prevent sperm from reaching the ejaculate. Chronic inflammatory processes, such as prostatitis or epididymitis, which disrupt the functioning of the organs and deteriorate sperm quality, are another common cause of infertility.

How Infertility Manifests in Men

Most often, male infertility does not cause subjective sensations, and the man may not even suspect the problem. However, in some cases, indirect signs appear: decreased libido, difficult or painful ejaculation, changes in the consistency or volume of semen, and pain in the scrotum region. Sometimes, erectile dysfunction is observed. The absence of pregnancy in the partner despite regular sexual activity for a year is a reason to consult an andrologist and undergo diagnostic examinations.

Diagnosis of Male Infertility

The examination begins with a sperm analysis, a test that allows assessment of the main parameters of semen: volume, concentration, motility, and morphology of sperm. A hormonal profile analysis is also performed: testosterone, FSH, LH, prolactin levels, and other regulators. An ultrasound of the scrotum can detect pathologies such as varicocele or cysts. If necessary, genetic tests are conducted to look for hereditary anomalies, tests for infections, and, in cases of azoospermia, a testicular biopsy may be prescribed to evaluate spermatogenesis.

Therapeutic Approaches

The choice of treatment depends on the cause of infertility. In cases of hormonal disorders and inflammation, medication treatments are used: antibiotics, hormone therapy, and vitamins. Varicocele and other anatomical anomalies require surgical correction. If the restoration of natural fertility is impossible, assisted reproductive techniques come to the rescue: in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or IVF with donor sperm, in cases of severe disorders or proven genetic risks.

Male infertility is not a fatality. Thanks to advances in modern andrology and reproductive medicine, most problems can be resolved. At the NatuVitro reproductive medicine clinic, patients benefit from a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and a personalized treatment strategy. The specialists at the center support you at all stages, from the first examination to the implementation of ART programs. The key is not to delay consulting professionals and to start your journey towards fatherhood in a timely manner under the supervision of an experienced team.