Male infertility is a medical condition which prohibits a man’s sperm from entering (or not functioning the way it should after penetration) his female partner’s reproductive tract and leading to pregnancy. While a male reproductive system is responsible for the making, storage, and transportation of the sperm, it is the hormones (namely testosterone) that control the process. There are, however, a variety of issues that men may face in order to produce mature sperms from the cells. Sometimes the issue might majorly be surrounding the mobility of the sperm, which can hinder them from reaching the eggs.
Causes for Male Infertility
Hindered growth of sperm
De-shaped sperm
Immobile sperm
Oligospermia (reduced sperm count)
Azoospermia (Unavailability of sperm)
Lifestyle-related issues such as smoking, alcohol consumption, etc., can reduce sperm count
Hereditary reasons
Long-time chronic illnesses
Just like any other illness, male infertility treatments are subject to causes that result in the problem. Hence, a doctor may opt to go through a range of tests and examinations before deciding on fertility treatment for men. However, an ideal treatment plan will be an extension of either of the two processes:
Non-surgical treatment
Surgical Methods
Non-Surgical treatment
Anejaculation: This is a condition where the male reproductive system doesn’t produce semen. This condition is not very common, but can be a result of various factors such as:
An injured spine
Side-effects of an earlier surgery
Diabetes
Psychiatric or emotional issues
Multiple Sclerosis
The first choice of doctors is to prescribe male infertility medicine, as in most cases, it’s seen to cure anejaculation, but if it fails, there are two more ways to go about it.
Rectal probe electro ejaculation | Penile vibratory stimulation
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: This involves birth-related enzyme defects, and is mostly treated with hormone replacement.
Genital Tract Infection: This is very rarely linked to infertility and is usually treated using antibiotics in case of full-blown infections.
Hyperprolactinemia: This is a condition that arises when a hormone called prolactin is overproduced by the pituitary gland. Usually medications help in bringing down the levels of prolactin, however, in certain cases, the patient may be referred to a neurosurgeon.
Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism: This is an ailment subject to poor stimulation by the pituitary hormones usually detected by an MRI. The treatment recommended for this condition is called gonadotropin replacement.
Immunologic Infertility: Although a rare abnormality, this is usually cured by sperm injections.
Retrograde Ejaculation: This is a condition primarily wherein the semen flows back into the testicles and is usually caused by:
Diabetes
An injured spine
Anti-depressants
Medication for BPH
This condition can be cured with prescribed male infertility medicine such as Sudafed, while in a few cases, ARTs (Assisted Reproductive Techniques) may be used by the doctor.
Surgical Treatment
Varicoceles: This condition involves a surgery known as varicocelectomy, which is performed in order to repair swollen veins, sperm mobility, etc.
Asthenozoospermia Treatment: In this case, a patient suffers from a deficit of sperm in the semen and will be advised to go for surgical treatment.
Microsurgical Vasovasostomy: Vasovasostomy is a procedure employed in order to eliminate / reverse a vasectomy.
Vasoepididymostomy: This is a common surgical procedure employed to reconnect the severed vas deferens (from a vasectomy) to the epididymis.
Transurethral Resection of the Ejaculatory Duct (TURED): This condition refers to a state of a blocked ejaculatory duct which can be treated surgically, but there is no guarantee in terms of how long the surgery will be helpful for.
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