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Male Factor Infertility: Diagnosis, Causes, and Treatment
By: Marianna Pawlowski
It is estimated that approximately 25% of all couples suffer from some degree of infertility. A common misconception is that the woman is the sole cause of the infertility. In actuality, male factor is the sole or contributing cause for approximately 40% of all infertile couples.
How is Male Factor Infertility Identified?
One of the first steps in infertility treatment is a semen analysis. A sample of semen is analyzed for the:
total sperm count
- concentration of sperm
- volume of semen
- pH
- percent of actively moving sperm (motility)
- numbers of normal shaped sperm (morphology)
- vitality
- number of white blood cells
- An abnormality of one or more of these tests suggests a problem with the sperm.
What are some causes of male factor infertility?
There are a number of factors that can lead to male infertility. Such factors include:
- Chronic disorders: Genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and hypertension
- Birth defects: Birth defects, such as undescended testicles
- Insufficient testosterone production
- Injury to the testicles
- Infections: Childhood infections, such as the mumps; sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea
- Varicocoles: Varicose veins in the testicle
- Drug use: Such as excessive amounts of marijuana and alcohol, anabolic steroids, female hormones, and chemotherapy
- Retrograde ejaculation: The entry of semen into the bladder as opposed to the urethra during ejaculation
- Exposure to harmful toxins: Toxic chemicals, pesticides, cigarette smoke, and other environmental and work hazards
- Lifestyle factors: Such as stress and exposure of the genitals to high temperatures for extended periods of time
- Erectile dysfunction: The inability to maintain an erection
- How can it be treated?
There are several treatment options available. Such options include:
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART): This includes Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Drug Therapy: May include hormonal therapy or antibiotics
Surgery: Some surgeries have proven successful in overcoming barriers that impede sperm production or quality (such as varicocoles.)
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