Effective factors in male infertility

Effective factors in male infertility

Infertility is a common problem in men, the cause of which can be found in many cases. About 15% of couples in the world face infertility problems, and this statistic is not only for women, and today the reasons for infertility in men and women are seriously investigated.

If there is a problem in a man’s health that reduces his wife’s chance of fertility, it is referred to as the cause of infertility in men. Especially if this lack of health is in the reproductive system and related to childbirth. Every sexual relationship will not necessarily end in a woman’s pregnancy. The body of a man and a woman must have certain conditions in order for the embryo formation process to be carried out correctly.

Infertility in men

A problem in the male reproductive system that prevents a woman from becoming pregnant is known as male infertility. If unprotected sex continues for more than a year and the woman still does not get pregnant, there is a possibility of infertility problems in men or women.

Research has shown that at least half of infertility will be caused by a male factor. In this way, it can be said that about 10% of men struggle with the inability to fertilize their wives.

What are the most common causes of infertility for men?

Before we examine the cause of this problem, we must know which category of men are more exposed to this problem.

• Overweight and obesity
• If you are over 40 years old
• Exposure to radiation
• Exposure to environmental toxins such as lead, mercury or pesticides
• Continuous use of tobacco and alcohol
• Taking some drugs such as flutamide, cyproterone, cimetidine, ketoconazole
• Continuous use of sauna or hot tub (excessive heat damages the testicles)
• People with a history of diseases related to the testicles
• Exposure to testosterone

Causes of male infertility

The cause of infertility in men can be caused by biological and environmental factors. In the following, we examine the most important causes of male infertility:

1. Sperm disorders

The most common cause of infertility in men can be attributed to problems related to the production and growth of sperm. In this case, the sperm:

• It does not grow and develop properly.
• It will have a strange shape.
• It does not move in the right direction.
• Produced in very small numbers. (oligospermia)
• It is not produced at all. (azoospermia)

Many men are born with this trait. But the correct lifestyle can reduce the problems caused by the production and growth of sperm to some extent. Excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking strongly affect sperms. Other factors that can lead to low or abnormal sperm production include childhood infection (mumps disease), chromosomal problems (low testosterone), chronic diseases (kidney failure) and the use of certain medications.

On the other hand, damage to the male reproductive system can lead to sperm production problems. Research has shown that 4 out of every 10 men with azoospermia have problems in the tubes transporting sperm. These problems are mostly a type of obstruction that is caused by infection or congenitally.

2. Retrograde ejaculation

In this case, the symptoms of which are caused by cloudy urine and dry ejaculation, semen moves backward in the body. In fact, the semen will enter the bladder instead of coming out of the male penis. In the problem of retrograde ejaculation, the nerves and muscles of the bladder do not close during orgasm. In this problem, the semen has healthy sperm, but due to the lack of movement in the right direction, it should be considered as one of the causes of male infertility. Retrograde ejaculation is usually resolved with surgery, medication and treatment of the nervous system. Premarital counseling

3. Obstruction

When the tubes transporting sperm are blocked, the man will face the problem of infertility. Factors such as vasectomy surgery, persistent infections, congenital defects or inflammation and swelling can lead to blockage of that area. In this case, the sperm does not have the ability to leave the testicles and the body during ejaculation.

4. Hormonal problems in male infertility

Male sex hormone levels and sperm production are regulated by a set of glands and their hormones. Disruption in this process can be considered as the cause of infertility in men. Of course, a small percentage of male infertility is caused by hormonal problems. The causes of male infertility caused by hormonal problems are:

• Impaired production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary gland
• Testosterone deficiency
• Increased prolactin hormone level (10 to 40% of infertile men have it. An increase in this hormone causes a decrease in sperm production, libido or impotence.)
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hypofunction of the thyroid gland (causes low quality of sperms, weakens testicular function and impaired libido and is seen in only 1% of infertile men.)
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (leads to low number and low sperm motility, increasing the number of immature sperm. This condition is seen in only 1% of infertile men)

5. Physical problems

Physical problems can be considered as one of the most important causes of male infertility. These problems interfere with the process of sperm production or will disrupt its descent from the testicles to the tip of the penis. Physical problems are usually characterized by a low number of sperm or its abnormal morphology (shape). Below are the main reasons for male infertility in terms of physical problems:

• Increasing age (after 40 years old)
• Weight gain (body mass index (BMI) above 30)

Excessive consumption of alcohol, cigarettes and addictive substances (due to the presence of nicotine and cannabinoids in the tissue of the testicles)

6. Varicocele

Varicocele is the enlargement of the blood vessels inside the scrotum, which causes an increase in temperature testicles and the effect on sperm production and quality. This condition may affect one or both testicles, causing low sperm count and abnormal sperm morphology, which are known causes of male infertility. Signs of falling in love with boys

In this problem, proper blood drainage will not be done due to blockage of the path and sperm growth will be damaged. In this way, the blood enters the testicles from the abdomen and overheats it. The heat of the testicles prevents the production of sufficient and healthy sperm. Fortunately, varicocele can be treated in many ways, but the most successful treatments include corrective surgery.

7.  Torsion of the testicles in male infertility

The rotation of the testicles inside the scrotum leads to severe swelling and blockage of blood supply to the testicles, which can cause serious damage. If emergency surgery is not performed to treat this problem, one or two testicles may be lost, which will be one of the causes of male infertility.

8.  Infections and diseases

Mumps, tuberculosis, brucellosis, gonorrhea, typhoid, influenza, smallpox and syphilis can cause testicular tissue degeneration and low sperm count and low motility. Some sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, are also known to cause infertility in men by blocking the epididymis or tubes. These conditions are usually treated with medication and surgery.

Treatment of infertility in men

Today, with the advancement of science and the expansion of modern methods, the problems of infertility in men can be solved. To treat infertility in men, depending on its cause, the following treatment methods are chosen:

drug therapy

• They do hormone therapy to increase the number of sperm.

Lifestyle changes

• Keeping fit
• Not drinking alcohol
• No smoking
• Reduce smoking

surgery

• Vasoepididymostomy: If the vas deferens is blocked due to infertility, it is surgically split and the blocking agent is removed. Then the end of the pipe will be connected.
• Sperm recovery: This procedure is performed with a biopsy of the testicle to find sperm. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: In this method (ICSI), sperm are artificially and physically injected into the egg.

• In vitro fertilization: in the IVF method, the ovaries are exposed to sperm in the laboratory environment after maturation.