Male infertility
About one-third of cases of infertility are caused by male factors alone. A combination of male and female factors causes about one-third of cases.
What causes male infertility?
The most common cause of male infertility is a varicocele (say: "var-ee-koh-seal"). This is when the veins in the scrotum (the skin "sack" that hangs beneath the penis) are dilated (enlarged) on 1 or both sides. This heats the inside of the scrotum and may affect sperm production. A blockage in a man's reproductive system may cause male infertility. Some medicines can also cause infertility.
Other causes of male infertility may include:
- low sperm count
- sperm that are abnormally shaped or that don't move correctly
- undescended testicle
- an underlying medical problem
Sometimes the cause of male infertility cannot be identified. In these cases, there may be an underlying genetic problem.
When should I see a doctor?
Usually, a couple should wait to see a doctor until after they've tried to get pregnant for a year. However, it's OK to see a doctor sooner, especially if the woman's age may be a factor.
Should men be checked for infertility?
Yes. It's important to identify and treat any correctable problems. In some men, a doctor's exam may find an underlying medical problem that is causing the infertility.
How is infertility evaluated?
Your doctor will obtain your medical history, examine you and test your semen at least twice. A semen analysis can tell your doctor about your sperm count and sperm quality. These are important parts of fertility. More testing may be needed, depending on the results of this first evaluation.
Is male infertility treatable?
More than one-half of cases of male infertility can be corrected. Treatment may help a couple get pregnant through normal sexual intercourse. Even if you can't get pregnant in this way, you may not need expensive or invasive treatments to get pregnant. If the man needs surgery to correct the problem that is causing his infertility, it can be an outpatient procedure. This means he doesn't have to stay in the hospital overnight.