Causes Of Male Infertility
Causes Male Of Infertility
For men the most common causes of infertility are:
• sperm problems
• functional problems
• hormonal problems.
Sperm problems
Absent sperm (azoospermia) – The testes may not be producing sperm due to genetic defects, undescended testes, physical injury to the testes or mumps occurring after puberty.
This condition can also be a result of an obstruction or previous vasectomy (surgery for sterilisation).
Low sperm count (oligospermia) –
Common causes Causes Male Infertility include:
• hormonal problems
• obstruction
• side effects of medications
• environmental factors (e.g. smoking,
excessive alcohol consumption,
frequent hot baths
or saunas)
• infection.
Poor sperm motility (abilityto move) – A healthy sperm has a lashing tail that helps it swim through the woman’s
reproductive system. Sperm with poor motility may swim feebly or not at all.
Abnormally shaped sperm –
A healthy sperm is shaped like
a streamlined tadpole. Those
shaped differently may have
problems penetrating the
surface of the woman’s egg.
About 40% of Causes Male Infertility relates to the condition varicocele (swollen varicose veins of the
scrotum), which affects sperm quality and quantity.12
While the quality of the sperm cannot be improved, modern techniques can increase the odds
of conception by helping the existing quality sperm to fertilise
Functional problems
Functional problems can Causes Male Infertility or be due to the following:
• impotence – inability to maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse
• failure to ejaculate
• presence of other diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis
• antibodies – the man’s immune system makes antibodies that hinder the activity of the sperm.
Hormonal problems
Although not a common Causes Male Infertility, sometimes the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, does not send the right messages to the testes. This results in low testosterone levels,
which means that sperm are not produced.
Unexplained infertility
Unexplained infertility (idiopathic) is defined as not being able to conceive after one year, even though the cycle is normal, semen is normal, the results of internal examinations are normal and
there is normal sperm-mucus penetration. In about 15% of couples, a cause for infertility may not be
found even after thorough investigation of both partners.17 Emotionally, this is the most frustrating
and stressful diagnosis of all because there is no cause or management plan on which to focus.
Depending on a woman’s age, couples may continue to try to fall pregnant naturally, ‘fast track’ to
assisted reproductive technologies or consider other options, such as adoption or living child-free.