What is Male Infertility & Its Causes? – Dr Namita

According to a recent report by the WHO, 1 in every 6 people experience infertility, which is around 17.5% of the adult population globally. In India, approximately 15-20% of couples experience infertility, meaning that 22 to 33 million couples of reproductive age are struggling with fertility challenges.

This data highlights nothing but a significant public health challenge that needs immediate attention.

It is more likely to happen that whenever a couple struggles to conceive, society starts to blame the woman and assumes her to be the only responsible person.

But the data and facts tell a different story.

In all infertility cases, male infertility accounts for approximately 40-50%. Moreover, a study by the National Library of Medicine suggests that nearly 50% of infertility is related to male reproductive disorders. 

But even after the growing concern, very few people are aware of male infertility and causes of male infertility.

To provide you with a comprehensive understanding of male infertility, causes of male infertility, and its symptoms, Dr. Namita is sharing her expert advice through this blog.

What is Male Infertility?

Male infertility is a condition where a man’s reproductive system affects his ability to contribute to pregnancy. 

If a couple has been trying to conceive for more than a year through regular unprotected sexual intercourse and there are no indications of infertility in the female partner, male infertility might be the underlying cause. 

If looking from the medical perspective, male fertility can be understood in terms of the quality and quantity of sperm production and delivery. 

The main reasons for male infertility are medical, environmental, or lifestyle factors. It might be temporary or permanent as well, depending on the underlying cause. 

What are the Symptoms of Male Infertility?

The most unspoken thought among men is that if a man is good in bed, he can’t have any infertility issues. But that’s not the reality.

Being good in bed is not proof of fertility. 

Male infertility often shows no symptoms and can be called asymptomatic, which means there may not be any obvious signs apart from the inability to conceive. 

However, in some cases, there are a few symptoms that may indicate an issue, helping them to recognize the problem and find the optimal solution.

Here are a few common symptoms:

1. Inability to Conceive: 

The primary symptom to recognize male infertility is the inability to achieve pregnancy after one year of trying, while no indications of infertility in your female partner.

2. Sexual Function Abnormalities:

However, high sexual desire and performance in bed are not the proof of fertility, but somehow give an idea whether everything is going right in the body or the reproductive system or not. 

Therefore, if a male is facing difficulty maintaining erections, has low sexual desire, problems with ejaculation, and pain during intercourse, then there is a chance of infertility.

3. Physical Symptoms:

Some physical abnormalities like pain, swelling, or lumps in the testicular area, male breast growth (gynecomastia), and decreased facial or body hair also indicate male infertility.

4. Hormonal Indicators and Unusual Health Patterns:

If your muscle mass has significantly reduced, and you feel chronic fatigue or low energy for no reason, then it indicates infertility. 

Some men experience recurrent respiratory infections, a change in voice, and inability to smell properly (anosmia), relating to hormonal problems that impact sperm production.

Early detection through proper medical evaluation can save couples months or even years of unnecessary stress and uncertainty.

Causes of Male Infertility

Male infertility doesn’t have just one cause; it can happen for many different reasons. Let’s walk through the distinct causes of male infertility.

1. Sperm Production Disorders

In 65% of cases of male infertility, the primary cause is related to abnormalities in sperm production. Let’s understand all conditions one by one.

a) Low Sperm Count (Oligospermia): According to the medical guidelines and reproductive specialists, the normal sperm concentration should be at least 15 million sperm per milliliter. If the sperm production falls below this threshold then it might cause infertility. 

b) Poor Sperm Motility: Sperm Motility refers to the progressive movement of sperm. For successful fertilization, at least 40% of sperm motility is required; decreased motility can lead to struggle in conceiving.

c) Abnormal Sperm: The condition of having abnormal sperm is known as Teratozoospermia. Abnormally shaped sperm may have head or tail defects that impair their fertilization capability.

d) Complete Absence of Sperm (Azoospermia): Azoospermia is a condition in which there is no sperm present in the ejaculation. 

All these sperm disorders can lead to infertility if not treated in time.

2. Medical Conditions and Treatments

Some other medical conditions, like varicocele, blockages in the reproductive tract, testicular trauma, and undescended testicles (also known as cryptorchidism) might also be the reason for the struggle in conceiving. Let’s understand each:

a) Varicocele: One of the most common medical conditions causing infertility is Varicocele. This condition involves swelling of the veins that drain the testicles, creating increased temperature in the scrotal area that damages sperm production and quality.

b) Obstructions: If there is any blockage in the reproductive tract, then sperm can’t be transported despite normal production, leading to infertility.

c) Undescended Testicles: This condition is also known as ‘Cryptorchidism’. When a testicle doesn’t move down into its proper place in the scrotum and grow upwards, it is called an Undescended testicle. According to a report by the National Library of Medicine, cryptorchidism is the most common etiologic factor of azoospermia in adults and causes infertility. 

d) Testicular Trauma: Severe physical injuries can damage the blood supply to the testicles and disrupt the sensitive process of spermatogenesis, which might be the reason for infertility later. 

3. Hormonal Imbalances

Hormonal disorders affecting the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid, or adrenal glands can significantly impact sperm production. 

In addition, low testosterone levels can also impact both sperm production and sexual function. 

These conditions often respond well to targeted hormonal treatments when properly diagnosed.

4. Genetic Disorders

Several genetic conditions also impact male fertility. Chromosomal abnormalities like Klinefelter syndrome or the Y-chromosome deletion can severely impact sperm production. 

While other genetic conditions like cystic fibrosis disrupt the mixing of sperm in semen can also lead to infertility. 

5. Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

It might be tough to admit, but exposure to environmental toxins represents an increasingly common cause of male infertility. Heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, etc., pesticides, radiation, and other industrial chemicals can significantly disrupt the hormonal balance and sperm production, leading to infertility.

Habits like smoking, drinking, and drugs use can also impact male fertility.

6. Heat Exposure

A lot of medical and clinical studies demonstrate that even modest testicular temperature elevations can reduce sperm production by up to 40%. 

Chronic heat exposure through hot baths, saunas, and laptop computer placement can have cumulative negative effects on the reproductive health of men.

7. Obesity

According to a recent study by the National Family Health Survey, approximately 22.9% of men in India are classified as overweight or obese. Clinical studies demonstrate that each 5-point increase in BMI (Body Mass Index) above normal directly correlates with a 10% increase in infertility. 

Therefore, if you are struggling with obesity, there is a high chance of facing infertility as well.

8. Infections

Reproductive tract infections (infections in the reproductive organs), including STIs, UTIs, and other chronic conditions like epididymitis and orchitis, can cause inflammation and scarring. Even childhood infections like mumps can also affect the testicles. 

According to the experts, these untreated infections can permanently damage sperm-producing or sperm-transporting structures and cause infertility. 

9. Age-Related Causes

However, men can remain fertile much longer than women, but age affects sperm quality. After the age of 40, men can experience increased DNA fragmentation (genetic damage), decreased sperm motility, and higher rates of genetic abnormalities, causing infertility. 

10. Idiopathic Infertility or Unexplained Infertility

In approximately 30% of male infertility cases, the specific cause of infertility is not defined or unexplained. But that doesn’t mean treatment isn’t possible.

Many couples with unexplained male infertility achieve pregnancy through assisted reproductive technologies. 

Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, yet it remains unacceptable among many.

Understanding male infertility, its symptoms, and causes can significantly help you to take the first step toward diagnosis and effective treatment. Early diagnosis not only improves treatment outcomes but also reduces the emotional and financial stress associated with prolonged conception attempts.

Whether through lifestyle modifications, medical treatments, surgical interventions, or assisted reproductive technologies, most couples can achieve their dreams of parenthood.

If you’ve been trying to conceive for more than a year or recognize any of the symptoms we’ve discussed above, consider scheduling a consultation with a fertility specialist. 

Remember, male infertility is not a reflection of masculinity or personal failure, it’s a medical condition that responds well to proper treatment. 

With the right medical support and advanced fertility treatments, Aastha Fertility Care makes your dream of parenthood a reality.