Infertility is a challenging issue and can be very disheartening for couples who wish to build a family. Male infertility accounts for about 30% of all infertility cases.

Fortunately, there are several effective treatments for male infertility that can help couples conceive a child.

Diagnosis of Male Infertility

Male infertility is diagnosed through a semen analysis that checks for the quantity and quality of sperm in the semen. A low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm shapes can cause infertility.

Male hormone levels and a physical exam can also indicate causes for infertility including varicocele, a blockage in the testicles, or a hormonal imbalance.

Lifestyle Changes

Several lifestyle changes can help improve male fertility. Reducing stress levels can improve sperm quality and quantity. Additionally, avoiding recreational drugs, tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption can also help improve fertility.

Surgery

If a physical obstruction, such as scar tissue or varicocele, is blocking the ejaculation of sperm, surgery may be required to correct the problem.

The surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure and has a high success rate in improving fertility.

Hormone Therapy

If a hormonal imbalance is the cause of infertility, hormone therapy can be used to restore balance.

Hormone therapy can include medications to increase the levels of testosterone and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) or LH (luteinizing hormone) to increase sperm quantity and quality.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) includes several different methods to help couples conceive, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

In IVF, sperm and eggs are combined in a lab dish, and fertilized eggs are transferred to the uterus. In ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into the egg to fertilize it and then implanted in the uterus. ART is typically used when the man’s sperm count is too low or the sperm are not motile enough for conception.

Donor Sperm

If the male partner is unable to produce viable sperm, or has a genetic condition that makes having children unsafe, donor sperm can be used for insemination or IVF.

Donor sperm is screened for genetic disorders and diseases, and is provided by a sperm bank or donor.

Conclusion

Male infertility can be a difficult issue to deal with, but there are several effective treatments available to help couples conceive. Diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan are key to finding the right treatment.

Lifestyle changes, surgery, hormone therapy, ART and donor sperm can all be used to improve male infertility and help couples conceive a child.