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10 Key Causes Of Male Infertility!

10 Key Causes Of Male Infertility!

Written By Vaishali Thapa - December 14, 2023
Read Time - 5 min read

Every couple dreams of having a family of their own where they can parent the ‘mini’ versions of themselves! But many times, due to various circumstances, this journey takes longer than expected and could be filled with obstacles. One such factor that can interfere with your ability to have children is your reproductive health! In this blog, we'll discuss 10 causes of male infertility and ways to deal with them. 

Let's start by understanding what infertility is.

What Is Infertility?

Many of you may be aware that infertility is a condition that affects a person's ability to have their own children. People who struggle with infertility are unable to conceive (or help their reproductively healthy partner to conceive) even after engaging in unprotected sex.1 

However, male infertility is a disease that impacts an individual's ability to get his fertile female partner to conceive a baby.2 Additionally, a number of factors, including stress, abnormal glandular function, sperm or testicular diseases, and other causes, can contribute to male infertility.3  

In this blog, we’ll shed some light on the various causes of male infertility. Let’s take a look at each of them.

1. Cancer Treatments

Cancer is a condition in which the body's cells proliferate, reproduce, and spread uncontrollably to other parts of the body. This in turn may develop into a tumour, resulting in a number of health complications.4 Doctors and patients explore all options before deciding on the best course of action for cancer therapy. 

There are various methods for treating or stopping abnormal cell development. Some of which are listed below-5

  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormone therapy
  • Radiation
  • Stem cell therapy
  • Surgery

Treatments such as radiation, and chemotherapy use high-intensity radiation and drugs, which might result in male infertility.6,7 Male sex hormone abnormalities caused by procedures such as hormone therapy and immunotherapy, on the other hand, may result in decreased fertility in men.8 Furthermore, surgeries to remove a tumorous mass or malignancy might cause unintended injury to nerves, sex organs, or tissues, thereby posing a hazard to male fertility.9 

Due to the previously mentioned factors, many cancer patients frequently receive advice on how to preserve their fertility. Although options suggested by the specialists' may not be able to restore fertility, they can still help preserve it. Visit our blog, "Preserving Fertility: Sperm Banking and Storage for Cancer Patients," to learn more about these options.

2. Hormonal Imbalance 

As a sex hormone, testosterone is responsible for several characteristics in men. It is essential for sperm production, testicular descent, increased libido, and enlargement of penis.10 In the human brain, the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (the region of the human brain that controls reproduction11) controls testosterone, so any condition that affects the hypothalamus or pituitary gland can sometimes lead to  male infertility.12 

In addition, other hormones like the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) can also cause male infertility. While FSH promotes sperm production, LH controls the production of testosterone. Because the pituitary gland is in charge of regulating the given hormones, if a condition such as pituitary gland tumor develops in an individual, it may have an impact on their reproductive function.13,14

3. Obesity

According to studies, men who are obese have an excess of adipose tissue, which collects toxins and results in abnormal hormonal mechanisms.15 Moreover, the buildup of adipose tissue causes problems like oxidative stress (phenomena when the body’s antioxidant levels are low), systemic inflammation (it occurs when the body’s immunity system is constantly defending causing inflammation), high scrotal temperatures, and sleep apnea (a sleep disorder wherein breathing repeatedly stops and starts).15 

Furthermore, obesity-related metabolic and hormonal imbalances influence hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function, which may disrupt testicular cells, impacting their function.15 

4. Erectile Dysfunction 

Impotence or erectile dysfunction can also be the cause of male infertility.16,17 A person with this condition frequently finds it difficult to maintain an erection during sexual activity, which can delay or even inhibit conception.18 

Some people may be surprised to learn that underlying medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, adverse side-effects of medicines, obesity, depression, heart issues, and stress can all cause erectile dysfunction.19,20 

5. Retrograde Ejaculation 

Retrograde ejaculation occurs when the sperm ejaculation doesn’t happen at climax and instead travels up to the urinary bladder. In such a case, the individual will get an orgasm but will fail to have an ejaculation, which is why this phenomenon is also called "dry orgasm."21 

Nevertheless, retrograde ejaculation doesn’t pose any health problems and is among the rare causes of male infertility.20,21 

6. Consumption Of Alcohol, Chewing Tobacco And Smoking 

Studies have found correlations between excessive drinking and low sperm quality.22 Furthermore, a distinct study reveals that tobacco chewing has a detrimental impact on sperm concentration , sprem’s movement, and shape.23,24 

It has also been demonstrated that smoking heavily reduces sperm volume, count, and motility. Moreover, the DNA of the sperm can also get damaged, which impacts  fertility and raises the risk of miscarriage in the female partners.25,26 However, a person's chances of having better fertility significantly increases if they give up smoking.25

7. Environmental Causes

Male fertility can also suffer from external environmental factors like heat, toxins, or chemicals. If a person is constantly exposed to certain chemicals, such as herbicides or pesticides, organic solvents, or even painting supplies, their sperm  count may be impacted.16 Moreover, the production of sperm is also staggered by exposure to heavy metals and radiation.16

However, working in extreme environmental factors can overheat testicles, negatively affecting sperm production and other sperm parameters.16,27,28,29 

8.Surgical Treatments

Certain surgical procedures may have an impact on male fertility. However, while some procedures, such as a vasectomy (a surgical form of male birth control) are crucial, there are others that can indirectly or unintentionally be a cause of male infertility.30 

If a person undergoes prostatectomy (removal of the prostate) and orchiectomy (removal of the testicles) for cancer therapy, it may directly impact sperm production, resulting in infertility.31,32 To know more about how surgeries affect fertility, you may read our blog "3 Surgical Treatment That Can Cause Male Infertility."

9. Sperm Disorders

Shape, motility, and concentration of the sperm are all impacted by sperm disorders. As a result, sperm might be immature, have a distorted structure, or even be unable to swim normally. Moreover, in some cases, the sperm disorders could also give rise to a lesser production of sperm, while impacting overall male fertility.33 

10. Anatomical Or Structural Problems

In many instances, factors like "blockage" in the sperm's pathway may also contribute to male infertility. A blockage may develop later in life due to inflammation brought on by an infection, or it may be congenital—such as a birth defect or genetic mutation.33 Additionally, a varicocele (a twisted or inflamed vein in the scrotum) may also result in a similar blockage. However, some of these anatomical problems may not persist for life but can surely cause infertility.33

Ending note!

As per the data provided by WHO, approximately 48 million individuals around the world struggle with infertility.34 This data gives us insight on how widespread the issue of infertility is. However, whether it be due to reproductive concerns or just "delayed plans for parenthood," in any case, one can always choose to preserve fertility by choosing options like sperm preservation! 

Now you must be wondering, “how to find a sperm bank” that has the answer to all your questions? LifeCell is here to your rescue! Our fertility healthcare range SpermScore & SpermVault, makes semen analysis and cryopreservation convenient for you. Moreover, our at-home self-collection kit SpermScore checks for 11 sperm parameters & 14 sperm conditions. Whereas, SpermVault is India’s first ever facility that provides long-term sperm cryopreservation. All you need to do is simply sign up for SpermVault, share your semen sample (from the privacy of your home), ship it to us and the rest will be taken care of by our experts.

So, gentlemen, say “yes” to your choice of being a father, now or later in life by simply saying “yes” to SpermVault!

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