For the longest time, infertility would often be related to a woman’s problem. With increasing awareness, we often hear of “Male Infertility” these days. What is male infertility? Male infertility is a condition in men associated with the inability to conceive a child.
What are the possible causes of male infertility?
1) Sperm conditions/disorders – Sometimes, one’s sperm can be oddly shaped, not moving the optimal way, produced in low numbers (oligospermia), or not produced at all (azoospermia).
2) Hormones – Hormones produced by the pituitary gland signal the testicles to make sperm. Low hormone levels can cause poor sperm production.
3) Retrograde ejaculation – With this condition, the semen goes backwards into the bladder instead of out the penis.
4) Obstruction – Sometimes, tubes through which sperm travel can be obstructed and blocked.
5) Varicoceles – Varicoceles is a condition where the veins in the scrotum are enlarged and swollen. They are common in men diagnosed with male infertility. The testicles are often warm in men with such a condition causing difficulty in producing sperm.
Male infertility is often caused by a variety of reasons as discussed above hence it is important to seek a proper consultation with a urologist. Finding out the cause of male infertility is key to treating the condition. Seek treatment early.
