Infertility affects couples who are trying to conceive, and it occurs when they have unprotected sex for a year without any success. Infertility is among the most prevalent reproductive issues worldwide.

Infertility can affect either the male or the female partner, or sometimes both. Male infertility is caused by factors such as stress, hormone imbalances, trauma to the testicles, environmental factors, and lifestyle.

However, there are cases where causes of some infertility conditions are unknown, and the condition is referred to as unexplained infertility. Unexplained infertility can be frustrating for couples since it is difficult to determine the cause of the problem. This article discusses some of the possible causes of unexplained infertility in men.

Psychological Factors

Psychological factors such as anxiety and depression can lead to changes in hormones that can affect sperm quality and production.

Stress hormone levels can rise when a man is anxious or depressed, leading to a decrease in the production of testosterone. Low levels of testosterone can lead to low sperm count or even a complete lack of sperm production. This means motility and quality of sperms can be significantly affected, which can lead to infertility.

Infections

Infections can lead to inflammation in the testicles or prostate gland. Inflammation can reduce the production of testosterone and decrease the sperm count as well as the quality of the sperms.

Most infections are caused by bacteria and virus, and it’s important to have them treated early to prevent any more damage. Infections can also cause blockages in the vas deferens, which can prevent the passage of sperm to the testicles, thus causing infertility.

Exposure to Toxins

Exposure to toxins such as heavy metals, environmental pollutants, and radiation can affect sperm production, quality, and motility.

Heavy metals such as lead and mercury, as well as environmental pollutants such as pesticides and herbicides can accumulate in the body, leading to toxic build-up that can affect spermatogenesis, leading to unexplained infertility. Radiation can affect the quality and motility of sperms, leading to problems with fertilization.

Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use can contribute to unexplained infertility in men. Smoking, for example, can damage the DNA in the sperms and lead to abnormal sperm production and motility.

Alcohol consumption can reduce testosterone levels, which can affect sperm production. Drug abuse, especially anabolic steroids, can lead to infertility problems.

Sperm DNA Fragmentation

A high level of DNA fragmentation in the sperms can be a cause of unexplained infertility. DNA fragmentation is a condition where the damage to the DNA of the sperm exceeds the body’s capacity to repair it.

This leads to a decrease in sperm quality, motility, and fertility. The cause of DNA fragmentation is not yet clear, but factors such as exposure to environmental toxins, radiation, smoking, and obesity have been shown to be risk factors. High levels of DNA fragmentation can be treated with antioxidants.

Genetic Factors

Genetic factors may also cause unexplained infertility in men. Disorders such as Klinefelter syndrome, Y chromosome microdeletions, and cystic fibrosis have been linked to male infertility.

These conditions can cause an abnormal number of chromosomes or genetic mutations that can affect normal sperm production, leading to infertility. A man with a family history of infertility may be at a higher risk of developing unexplained infertility.

Undescended Testicles

Undescended testicles can cause male infertility. The testicles descend from the abdomen to the scrotum during fetal development. If they fail to descend, this can lead to a problem with sperm production and quality, leading to infertility.

Varicoceles

Varicoceles are enlarged veins in the scrotum, which can heat the testicles and affect sperm production. Varicoceles cause problems with blood flow in the testicles, leading to infertility. Varicoceles can be treated with surgery or embolization.

Autoimmunity

In some cases, infertility in men may be caused by autoimmune disorders. Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. This can affect the sperm production process, leading to fertility problems.

Men with autoimmune disorders may have anti-sperm antibodies that attack the sperms, leading to infertility.

Hormonal Imbalances

Hormonal imbalances can be a cause of unexplained infertility in men. Hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone play a critical role in sperm production and quality.

Low levels of these hormones can affect sperm production and quality, leading to unexplained infertility. Hormonal imbalances may be caused by factors such as pituitary gland disorders, stress, or genetic factors.

Conclusion

Infertility can affect both male and female partners, and it can be a result of various factors. Unexplained infertility in men can be frustrating since it is difficult to determine the cause of the problem.

Factors such as psychological factors, infections, exposure to toxins, genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, among others, contribute to unexplained infertility in men.

However, with advances in medical technology, couples experiencing unexplained infertility can still conceive with facilitated reproduction techniques such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).