Male Infertility: Causes, Symptoms, & Effective Treatment Options

What is Male Infertility?

Male infertility means when a man is unable to make his female partner pregnant after repeated unprotected intimate intercourse for over a year. 
 
There are multiple factors behind this, such as:

• low sperm count
• poor sperm quality
• problems with sperm delivery.

 
Additionally, other health issues or lifestyle factors can contribute to fertility issues in men. This is common and can be helped with professional advice and treatment.

According to 2024 reports, male infertility is becoming increasingly common and now contributes to 40–50% of infertility cases in India. These numbers indicate that it’s high time we recognize that male fertility issues are real, treatable, and deserve equal attention because the journey to parenthood always needs to be a shared responsibility.

How Common is Male Infertility in India

Male infertility is common.  It contributes to nearly half of all infertility cases in couples. And it can be the sole cause in about 20% of cases and a contributing factor in another 30–40%.

Read Also: What Are The Most Common Causes Of Infertility

What are the Causes of Male Infertility | The 10 Reasons

There is a common fertility question women are searching on the internet: “My husband has a fertility issue; how can I get pregnant?” Well, to know this, you need to consult your doctor, find out what the possible reasons/causes are, and discuss treatment options with them.
 
Here are some possible causes:

1. Swollen veins in the testicles decrease sperm quality and quantity by impacting blood flow.​
2. Infections such as epididymitis (inflammation in the sperm-carrying tube) or sexually transmitted infections can damage sperm production or restrict sperm passage.​
3. Issues like retrograde ejaculation make the semen go back into the bladder instead of out through the penis and prevent sperm delivery.​
4. 4The immune system may mistakenly attack sperm by producing anti-sperm antibodies, such as IgG, IgA, and/or IgM, which can reduce their ability to meet and fertilize an egg.​
5. Testicles are not properly descended from the abdomen into the scrotum after birth. This can affect the process of spermatogenesis, the process of sperm cell production.​
6. Low testosterone and pituitary gland (which releases FSH to stimulate sperm production) problems can decrease sperm production.​
7. Injury, surgery, or infections can block tubes, preventing sperm from mixing in semen.​
8. Conditions such as Klinefelter’s syndrome or cystic fibrosis modify sperm production or delivery.​
9. Unhealthy habits like smoking, heavy alcohol and drug use, obesity, and other factors like environmental toxins can reduce sperm count and quality.​
10. Someone undergoing treatment like chemotherapy, radiation, or certain medications can disrupt sperm production temporarily or permanently.

Read Also: IVF Success Rates in India: What You Need to Know Before Starting Treatment

What Treatment Options Are Available for Me if I Have Male Infertility?

After getting the proper diagnosis from your doctor, you can take an informed treatment option with them.

Here are some treatment options.

1. Surgery After Proper Diagnosis
2. Therapy Including Hormones
3. Treating Infections
4. Assisted reproductive techniques (ART)
5. Sperm retrieval surgery
6. Fixing sexual problems with medications 
7. Lifestyle changes
8. Therapy for anti-sperm antibodies
9. Administration of Hormone Injections

My Husband Has No Sperm | How Can I Get Pregnant

After a medical evaluation, your doctor may suggest the following treatments for conceiving successfully. However, it is important to set clear expectations with your doctor.

1. Sperm retrieval
2. Assisted reproductive techniques (ART)
3. Donor sperm
4. Lifestyle
5. Hormonal or medical treatments

What Treatment Options Are Available for Me if I Have Male Infertility?

After getting the proper diagnosis from your doctor, you can take an informed treatment option with them.

Here are some treatment options.

1. Surgery

Fixes issues like varicocele (swollen veins) or any blockage in the sperm transportation tube

2. Hormone Therapy

To balance hormone levels that control sperm production

3. Treating Infections

Doctors may prescribe antibiotics to cure infections, reducing sperm quality.​

4. Assisted reproductive techniques (ART)

• Artificial insemination (IUI): Concentrated sperm is placed directly into the woman's womb. This increases the chances of fertilization.​
• In vitro fertilization (IVF): Sperm and eggs are combined outside the body to develop embryos. Then the embryo is implanted in the womb.​
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): A single sperm is injected directly into an egg.​

5. Sperm retrieval surgery

For men with no sperm in ejaculation, sperm can be surgically taken from the testicles or epididymis for assisted reproductive techniques.​

6. Fixing sexual problems with medications 

Doctors may prescribe treatments and counseling to fix male reproductive problems like erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, affecting fertility.​

7. Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle modifications like:

• Improving diet
• Male fertility exercise (Cardiovascular Workouts, Resistance Training, etc.)
• Quitting smoking
• Limiting alcohol
• Managing weight

These can help improve sperm quality.​

8. Therapy for anti-sperm antibodies

Special techniques such as IUI or IVF may help if the immune system attacks sperm.​

9. Administration of Hormone Injections

When hormonal imbalance is the cause, doctors can recommend hormonal injections like gonadotropins to stimulate sperm production.

My Husband Has No Sperm | How Can I Get Pregnant

After a medical evaluation, your doctor may suggest the following treatments for conceiving successfully. However, it is important to set clear expectations with your doctor.

1. Sperm retrieval
2. Assisted reproductive techniques (ART)
3. Donor sperm
4. Lifestyle
5. Hormonal or medical treatments

When to consult a doctor for male infertility issues, like low sperm count 

Consult your doctor if you notice the following signs:

• Problem in conceiving after a year of regular unprotected sex
• Low semen volume when ejaculating
• Inability to properly erect or ejaculate
• Pain or lumps in the testicles
• Decreases intimacy drive
• Loss of body or facial hair
• Enlarged veins in the scrotum
• Fatigue 
• Hormonal imbalance signs, such as breast enlargement

Conclusion

When trying to conceive, it is important to detect the real cause and not blame a single gender. All you need is to observe your signs and consult your doctor for the appropriate male fertility treatment.

And if you are searching for How can I increase my sperm in 7 days?, then here are some simple tips:

1. Improve your diet by including foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3s
2. Reduce stress
3. Aim for seven to eight hours of quality sleep every night
4. Limit alcohol
5. Quit smoking
6. Consult a doctor for supplements

When to consult a doctor for male infertility issues, like low sperm count 

Consult your doctor if you notice the following signs:

• Problem in conceiving after a year of regular unprotected sex
• Low semen volume when ejaculating
• Inability to properly erect or ejaculate
• Pain or lumps in the testicles
• Decreases intimacy drive
• Loss of body or facial hair
• Enlarged veins in the scrotum
• Fatigue 
• Hormonal imbalance signs, such as breast enlargement

Conclusion

When trying to conceive, it is important to detect the real cause and not blame a single gender. All you need is to observe your signs and consult your doctor for the appropriate male fertility treatment.
 
And if you are searching for How can I increase my sperm in 7 days?, then here are some simple tips:

• Improve your diet by including foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3s
• Reduce stress
• Aim for seven to eight hours of quality sleep every night
• Limit alcohol
• Quit smoking
• Consult a doctor for supplements