Male infertility always has a baggage of taboo woven around it when brought to discussions about reproductive health. Nevertheless, male infertility is a common phenomenon that affects scores of couples attempting to conceive. Statistics suggest that 40-50% of infertility problems have a male factor. If you and your partner have been undergoing treatment due to infertility, an early recognition of the symptoms of male infertility would significantly tilt the odds in favor of a better treatment outcome.
As one of India’s leading male infertility hospitals, Eros Clinic knows full well the trauma of having to deal with infertility. We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility, providing avenues for couples in their pursuit of solutions. This blog will review the signs of male infertility and help you navigate the treatment options that will benefit you on the roads toward fertility.
Common Signs of Male Infertility
Male infertility is often insidious, and most men realize that they have an infertility problem only when they try for a baby. While some signs are obvious, others may go unnoticed. Following are some of the most common symptoms that indicate male infertility:
1. Difficulty in Maintaining an Erection (Erectile Dysfunction)
Erectile dysfunction has been one of the most common indicators of male infertility, making it difficult for a man to either get or hold an erection to the point of intercourse. Occasional occurrences of erectile dysfunction can be generally disregarded, but recurrent long-standing issues with the impotence process could signify underlying infertility or other disorders like hormonal imbalances or inadequate blood circulation.
2. Low Libido
An influencing factor could be diminished libido or reduced sexual functioning-this can also be regarded as one more sign in male infertility. Hormonal imbalance, stress, or other medical problems may cause such conditions. Decrease in testosterone level would normally be accompanied by decreased libido and fertility.
- Abnormal Ejaculation
They indicate a major evaluation of ejaculation problems, such as premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, or failure to ejaculate. In fact, some of these signs and symptoms might be indicative of infertility due to problems in producing sperm or some other concern that affects sperm from reaching the egg.
4. Pain, Swelling, or Lumps in the Testicles
Male infertility also often presents with pain or discomfort in the testicles. Physical findings of lumps and swelling can also point to male infertility. Some specific conditions which may interfere with fertility due to their effect on sperm production are a varicocele, in which the veins in the scrotum swell; a marked inflammation of the epididymis known as epididymitis; and testicular torsion.
5. Poor Sperm Quality (Abnormal Semen Analysis)
Semen Analysis is perhaps the most imperative of diagnostic tests used for male infertility assessment. Alteration in abnormal sperm count, motility (movement), or morphology (shape) may adversely affect fertility. Men with low levels of sperm or movement of sperm which is poor may find it a little tough to conceive.
Treatment for Male Infertility
Consulting a health care provider or a fertility specialist will give you an accurate diagnosis into the concern of infertility in men if you and your partner have experienced any of the above symptoms of infertility. Eros Clinic specializes in male infertility treatment, providing each case with a thorough diagnosis and identifying the real cause of the fertility problems. Treatment options commonly available are:
1. Medications- They can prescribe medications to boost sperm production or correct hormonal diseases depending on the cause of infertility. Hormonal therapy is indicated for increasing testosterone levels or regulating the hormones responsible for sperm production. Antibiotics may be prescribed in cases where infections affect fertility.
2. Surgery- In the event that physical condition abnormalities such as a varicocele-the swelling of veins within the scrotum-have been identified, surgery can be suggested. A varicocelectomy can lead to enhanced sperm count and improved quality. Other procedures can be performed to correct obstructions in the reproductive tract or repair injured sperm-producing areas.
3. Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART)- With assistance of Intrauterine Insemination or In vitro fertilization, severe male infertility may also find its recommendation. In IVF, the sperm is injected directly into the egg in the laboratory; sometime later the embryo is transferred into the uterus. It’s mainly a choice for those men who have a low sperm count or poor motility.
4. Lifestyle Changes- But interestingly, men could also bring about significant lifestyle changes that would be reflected in their fertility indices. A healthy diet, physical activity, avoidance of tobacco use, limited alcohol consumption, and stress management may all influence sperm quality. Furthermore, overweight and obese men will benefit from weight loss, as hormones and sperm production are related to weight.
5. Sperm Retrieval Techniques
Sperm retrieval techniques like sperm aspiration or testicular sperm extraction (TESE) can come to a gentleman’s aid when blockages or other issues prevent him from ejaculating sperm. These techniques allow for sperm to be collected either directly from the testis or from the epididymis for use in treatment through IUI or IVF.
Conclusion
But there is a difference in how you read the signs and how you should treat it to help achieve the same goal of parenthood. It can be an emotionally difficult experience for a man. So, if you or your partner has any symptoms related to male infertility, don’t shy off in contacting an expert. At Eros Clinic, we deal with male infertility in terms of diagnosis and treatment along with other options tailored for you. And with the appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan, many men find that they can overcome infertility and start on their journey toward parenthood.