What causes Male Infertility?

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Male infertility refers to a male's inability to impregnate a fertile female. It contributes to

 40-50% of infertility. The main causes will be explained below for further detail.

 

Semen

During orgasm, when a male ejaculates, they will release milky fluid called semen through their penis. It consists of fluid and sperm. The fluid travels from our seminal vesicle, prostate gland, and other sex glands. The testicles produce sperm whereas the seminal fluid helps to transport the sperm during ejaculation. These fluid contains sugar. The sperm needs sugar for energy source.

Abnormal semen happens to 75 percent of male infertility cases. Regrettably, most doctors couldn't find out the reason why. There are some problems as shown:
  • Low concentration of sperm count. Infertile male ejaculates a lower number of sperm if we compared to fertile male. It should be 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen for fertile male. If the count is under 10 million, it is considered low concentration of sperm count
  • Zero sperm. No sperm in the semen.
  • Weak sperm. Low sperm mobility which the sperm hardly "swim" to reach an egg.
  • Sperm is considered abnormal when it has an unusual shape which reduces its mobility towards an egg.

Sperm must be at the optimum shape and motility to be able to travel smoothly towards the egg.

Main causes for abnormal semen:
  1. Testicular infection
  2. Testicular cancer
  3. Testicular surgery
  4. Overheating the testicles. Hot saunas and tubs, staying in extremely hot environments for long period of time will badly affect the testicles when the temperature of testicles raises. Tight clothing might act the same role as well.
  5. Ejaculation disorders - for some men it may be difficult to ejaculate properly. Men with retrograde ejaculation will ejaculate semen backward into their bladder.
  6. Varicocele - this is a varicose vein in the scrotum that may cause the sperm to overheat.
  7. Undescended testicle - one or both sided of testicles fail to slope from the abdomen into the scrotum during fetal development. Sperm production is affected when the testicle is not located in the scrotum and is exposed at a higher temperature. Healthy sperm need to be in slightly low temperature compared to our body temperature.
  8. Hypogonadism - testosterone deficiency can result in a disorder of the testicles.
  9. Genetic issues (Klinefelter syndrome)
  10. Mumps (viral infection) – It typically affect young children but will be serious if it occurs after puberty.
  11. Hypospadias - the urethral opening is at the underside of the penis different from normal placement at the tip. It can be surgically corrected during male baby when it is diagnosed. The sperm will have a hard times swimming to the cervix being in this structure.
  12. Cystic fibrosis
  13. Radiotherapy - radiation can harm sperm production depending on the distance from the testicles.
  14. Medication such as Sulfasalazine is an anti-inflammatory drug that can significantly lower a male's sperm count
  15. Anabolic steroids - often taken by bodybuilders and athletes. It can seriously reduce sperm count and mobility if not used moderately.
  16. Chemotherapy will definitely reduce sperm count.
  17. Illegal drugs. Consumption of marijuana and cocaine can lower a man's sperm count.
  18. Smoking
Source...
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