Male infertility is a condition where a couple cannot get pregnant, as the sperm of the male is not up to the mark. The sperm can have low motility, or the sperm count can be too low to fertilize an egg. In such cases, a couple should consult for medical assistance.
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The most common causes of male infertility include:
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Low sperm motility.
- Low sperm count.
- Testosterone level.
If you have been trying to conceive and nothing is working out for you, contact a specialist in infertility in Lake Mary.
How can this condition be diagnosed?
There can be multiple causes of infertility, so the doctors recommend certain tests for both partners. In rare conditions, the cause cannot be identified. Diagnosing methods includes:
- General physical examination and history: it includes the questions which the doctor asks like an inherited disease, smoking habits, illnesses, any surgery in the past which led to infertility, moreover the development during puberty.
- Semen analysis: in this case, the semen is collected and sent to the laboratory for results. Analysts look at the shape and motility of the sperm. However, if the results are normal, doctors recommend testing the female partner before performing any further tests.
- Scrotal ultrasound: In this method, high-frequency ultrasound waves are used to produce images of the body. It is done to check any varicocele (mass of varicose veins) or any other problems in testicles.
- Testicular biopsy: this test involves the collection of samples by injecting a needle into testicles, but if the results are typical, the problem can be in sperm transport.
- Hormonal testing: hormones produced by the hypothalamus and testis have an essential role in sexual development and production of sperms. If there are abnormalities in these organs, it leads to a decrease in the hormonal level and hence contributes to infertility. So, a blood test is performed for testosterone.
How can this condition be treated?
- Surgery: it can be performed in case of varicoceles or any obstruction in the vas deferens. The vasectomy performed before can also be reversed, and if there’s no way for sperm to move, sperm retrieval techniques are used.
- Treating infections: certain antibiotics are used to treat any infection in the reproductive tract, but not always.
- Hormone treatments and medications: in this case, the doctors usually recommend hormone replacement medications if the level of testosterone is too low.
- Assisted reproductive technology (ART): in this case, the sperm is collected from males and directly injected into the female genital tract.