Wei Laboratories, Inc.
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What is Male Infertility?
Approximately 15 percent of couples are infertile. This means they aren't able to conceive a child even though they've
had frequent, unprotected sexual intercourse for a year or longer. In about half of these cases, male infertility plays a
role.
Male infertility is due to low sperm production, misshapen or immobile sperm, or blockages that prevent the delivery of
sperm. Illnesses, injuries, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices and other factors can play a role in causing male
infertility.
Not being able to conceive a child can be stressful and frustrating, but a number of male infertility treatments are
available. Approaches can include treatment for the male partner, the female partner, or both.
Symptoms
The main sign of male infertility is the inability to conceive a child. Often, there are no other obvious signs or symptoms.
In some cases, however, an underlying problem such as an inherited hormonal imbalance or a condition that blocks
the passage of sperm may cause signs and symptoms. Male infertility symptoms may include:
• The inability to conceive a child
• Problems with sexual function — for example, difficulty reaching orgasm (delayed ejaculation) or difficulty
maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• Pain, swelling or a lump in the testicle area.
• Decreased facial or body hair or other signs of a chromosomal or hormonal abnormality
See a doctor if you:
• Are unable to conceive a child after a year of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse
• Have erection or ejaculation problems, low sex drive, or other problems with sexual function
• Have pain, discomfort, a lump or swelling in the testicle area.
• Have a lower than normal sperm count (fewer than 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen)
• Have a history of testicle, prostate or sexual problems
• Have had groin, testicle, penis or scrotum surgery
Causes
Male fertility is a complex process. To get your partner pregnant, you must be able to produce healthy sperm that can
reach, penetrate and fertilize your partner's egg. For this to occur:
• You must produce healthy sperm. Initially, this involves the growth and formation of the male reproductive organs
during puberty. At least one of your testicles must be functioning correctly, and your body must produce
testosterone and other hormones to trigger and maintain sperm production.
• Sperm have to be carried into the semen. Once sperm are produced in the testicles, delicate tubes transport
them until they mix with semen and are ejaculated out of the penis.
• There needs to be enough sperm in the semen. If the number of sperm in your semen (sperm count) is low, it
decreases the odds that one of your sperm will fertilize your partner's egg. A low sperm count is fewer than 20
million sperm per milliliter of semen.
• Sperm must be shaped correctly and able to move. If the movement (motility) or shape (morphology) of your
sperm is abnormal, the sperm may not be able to reach or penetrate your partner's egg.
Medical Causes
Problems with male fertility can be caused by a number of health issues and medical treatments. Some of these
include:
• Varicocele. A varicocele is a swelling of the veins that drain the testicle. This may prevent normal cooling of the
testicle, leading to reduced sperm count and fewer moving sperm.
• Infection. Some infections can interfere with sperm production or sperm health, or can cause scarring that blocks
the passage of sperm. These include some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including chlamydia and
gonorrhea; inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis); inflamed testicles due to mumps (mumps orchitis); and other
infections of the urinary tract or reproductive organs.
• Retrograde ejaculation. This occurs when semen enters the bladder during orgasm instead of emerging out the
tip of the penis. Various health conditions can cause retrograde ejaculation, including diabetes, multiple sclerosis,
spinal injuries, and surgery of the bladder, prostate or urethra. Retrograde ejaculation can also be caused by
certain medications — particularly medications for enlarged prostate, such as terazosin (Hytrin), tamsulosin
(Flomax) and olealfuzosin (Uroxatral).
• Lack of ejaculation. Some men with spinal cord injuries or certain diseases can't ejaculate semen, even though
they still produce sperm.
• Antibodies that attack sperm. Anti-sperm antibodies are immune system cells that mistakenly identify sperm as
harmful invaders and attempt to eliminate them. This is especially common in men who've had a vasectomy.
• Tumors. Cancers and nonmalignant tumors can affect the male reproductive organs directly, or can affect the
glands that release hormones related to reproduction (such as the pituitary gland). In some cases, surgery to treat
tumors can affect male fertility.
• Undescended testicles. In some males, during fetal development one or both testicles fail to descend from the
abdomen into the sac that usually contains the testicles (scrotum).
• Hormone imbalances. Infertility can result from disorders of the testicles themselves or an abnormality affecting
the glands in the brain that produce testosterone and other hormones that control the testicles (the hypothalamus
or pituitary glands). Low testosterone (male hypogonadism) and other hormonal problems have a number of
possible underlying causes.
• Sperm duct defects. The tubes that carry sperm (sperm ducts) can be damaged by illness or injury. Some men
are born with a blockage in the part of the testicle that stores sperm (epididymis) or a blockage of one or both of
the tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles. Men with cystic fibrosis and some other inherited conditions may be
born without sperm ducts altogether.
• Chromosome defects. Inherited disorders such as Klinefelter's syndrome — in which a male is born with two X
chromosomes and one Y chromosome instead of one X and one Y — cause abnormal development of the male
reproductive organs.
• Problems with sexual intercourse. These can include trouble keeping or maintaining an erection sufficient for
sex (erectile dysfunction), premature ejaculation, painful intercourse, or psychological or relationship problems
that interfere with sex.
• Celiac disease. A digestive disorder caused by sensitivity to gluten, celiac disease can cause male infertility.
Fertility may improve after adopting a gluten-free diet.
• Certain medications. Testosterone replacement therapy, long-term anabolic steroid use, cancer medications
(chemotherapy), certain antibiotics, some ulcer medications and certain other medications can impair sperm
production and decrease male fertility.
Environmental causes
Overexposure to certain environmental elements such as heat, toxins and chemicals can reduce sperm production or
sperm function. Specific causes include:
• Pesticides. Some men exposed to pesticides such as ethylene dibromide and organophosphates have lowered
sperm counts. Pesticide exposure has also been linked to testicular cancer. Most studies have been done on
men who work in agriculture or live in agricultural areas.
• Heavy metal exposure. Exposure to lead or other heavy metals also may cause infertility.
• Exposure to radiation or X-rays. Exposure to radiation can reduce sperm production. It can take several years for
sperm production to return to normal. With high doses of radiation, sperm production can be permanently
reduced.
• Overheating the testicles. Frequent use of saunas or hot tubs may temporarily lower your sperm count. Sitting for
long periods or wearing tight clothing also may increase the temperature in your scrotum and reduce sperm
production.
• Prolonged bicycling. Prolonged bicycling is another possible cause of reduced fertility due to overheating the
testicles. In some cases, bicycle seat pressure on the area behind the testicles (perineum) can cause numbness
in the penis and erectile dysfunction.
Health, lifestyle and other causes
Some other causes of male infertility include:
• Illegal drug use. Anabolic steroids taken to stimulate muscle strength and growth can cause the testicles to shrink
and sperm production to decrease. Use of cocaine or marijuana may temporarily reduce the number and quality of
your sperm as well.
• Alcohol abuse. Heavy drinking can lower testosterone levels, cause erectile dysfunction and decrease sperm
production. Liver disease caused by excessive drinking also may cause fertility problems.
• Tobacco smoking. Men who smoke may have a lower sperm count than do those who don't smoke. Secondhand
smoke also may affect male fertility.
• Emotional stress. Stress may interfere with certain hormones needed to produce sperm. Your sperm count may
be affected if you experience severe or prolonged emotional stress. A problem with fertility itself can sometimes
become long term and discouraging, producing stress.
• Vitamin deficiency. Deficiencies in nutrients such as vitamin C, selenium, zinc and folate may contribute to male
infertility.
• Weight. Obesity can cause hormone changes that reduce male fertility. Men who are underweight also may have
reduced fertility.
• Age. Men older than 35 begin to have a gradual decline in fertility.
Western Medical Treatment
Treatment of male infertility depends on the cause, how long you've been infertile, your age and personal preferences.
In all cases of infertility, the female partner also will need to be checked and may need treatment. In some cases,
treatment of the female partner can compensate for male fertility problems. Your doctor may try to improve your fertility
by either correcting an underlying problem (if one is found) or trying treatments that seem like they may be helpful.
Often, an exact cause of infertility can't be identified. Even if an exact cause isn't clear, your doctor may be able to
recommend treatments that work.
Treatments for male infertility include:
• Surgery. For example, a varicocele can often be surgically corrected or an obstructed vas deferens can be repaired.
• Treating infections. If a blood test reveals high numbers of white blood cells, you may have an infection of the
reproductive tract. Antibiotic treatment may cure the infection, but doesn't always restore fertility.
• Treatments for sexual intercourse problems. Treating conditions such as erectile dysfunction or premature
ejaculation can improve fertility. Approaches can include medication or counseling.
• Hormone treatments and medications. In cases where infertility is caused by high or low levels of certain
hormones or problems with the way the body uses hormones, your doctor may recommend treatment with
hormone replacement or medications that change hormone levels.
• Assisted reproductive technology (ART). For blockage of the vas deferens, retrograde ejaculation or other
problems with sperm delivery, sperm can be taken directly from the testicle or recovered from the bladder and
injected into an egg. The most common ART treatment is in vitro fertilization (IVF). This procedure involves
surgically removing an egg from a woman's ovary, combining it with sperm in the lab, and then placing the
fertilized egg into the uterus.
When treatment doesn't work
Sometimes male fertility problems can't be treated, and it's impossible for a man to father a child. If this is the case,
your doctor may suggest that you and your partner consider either using sperm from a donor or adopting a child.
Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.
Information collected from wikipedia.com, oif.org and health.yahoo.net
Approximately 15 percent of couples are infertile. This means they aren't able to conceive a child even though they've
had frequent, unprotected sexual intercourse for a year or longer. In about half of these cases, male infertility plays a
role.
Male infertility is due to low sperm production, misshapen or immobile sperm, or blockages that prevent the delivery of
sperm. Illnesses, injuries, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices and other factors can play a role in causing male
infertility.
Not being able to conceive a child can be stressful and frustrating, but a number of male infertility treatments are
available. Approaches can include treatment for the male partner, the female partner, or both.
Symptoms
The main sign of male infertility is the inability to conceive a child. Often, there are no other obvious signs or symptoms.
In some cases, however, an underlying problem such as an inherited hormonal imbalance or a condition that blocks
the passage of sperm may cause signs and symptoms. Male infertility symptoms may include:
• The inability to conceive a child
• Problems with sexual function — for example, difficulty reaching orgasm (delayed ejaculation) or difficulty
maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• Pain, swelling or a lump in the testicle area.
• Decreased facial or body hair or other signs of a chromosomal or hormonal abnormality
See a doctor if you:
• Are unable to conceive a child after a year of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse
• Have erection or ejaculation problems, low sex drive, or other problems with sexual function
• Have pain, discomfort, a lump or swelling in the testicle area.
• Have a lower than normal sperm count (fewer than 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen)
• Have a history of testicle, prostate or sexual problems
• Have had groin, testicle, penis or scrotum surgery
Causes
Male fertility is a complex process. To get your partner pregnant, you must be able to produce healthy sperm that can
reach, penetrate and fertilize your partner's egg. For this to occur:
• You must produce healthy sperm. Initially, this involves the growth and formation of the male reproductive organs
during puberty. At least one of your testicles must be functioning correctly, and your body must produce
testosterone and other hormones to trigger and maintain sperm production.
• Sperm have to be carried into the semen. Once sperm are produced in the testicles, delicate tubes transport
them until they mix with semen and are ejaculated out of the penis.
• There needs to be enough sperm in the semen. If the number of sperm in your semen (sperm count) is low, it
decreases the odds that one of your sperm will fertilize your partner's egg. A low sperm count is fewer than 20
million sperm per milliliter of semen.
• Sperm must be shaped correctly and able to move. If the movement (motility) or shape (morphology) of your
sperm is abnormal, the sperm may not be able to reach or penetrate your partner's egg.
Medical Causes
Problems with male fertility can be caused by a number of health issues and medical treatments. Some of these
include:
• Varicocele. A varicocele is a swelling of the veins that drain the testicle. This may prevent normal cooling of the
testicle, leading to reduced sperm count and fewer moving sperm.
• Infection. Some infections can interfere with sperm production or sperm health, or can cause scarring that blocks
the passage of sperm. These include some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including chlamydia and
gonorrhea; inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis); inflamed testicles due to mumps (mumps orchitis); and other
infections of the urinary tract or reproductive organs.
• Retrograde ejaculation. This occurs when semen enters the bladder during orgasm instead of emerging out the
tip of the penis. Various health conditions can cause retrograde ejaculation, including diabetes, multiple sclerosis,
spinal injuries, and surgery of the bladder, prostate or urethra. Retrograde ejaculation can also be caused by
certain medications — particularly medications for enlarged prostate, such as terazosin (Hytrin), tamsulosin
(Flomax) and olealfuzosin (Uroxatral).
• Lack of ejaculation. Some men with spinal cord injuries or certain diseases can't ejaculate semen, even though
they still produce sperm.
• Antibodies that attack sperm. Anti-sperm antibodies are immune system cells that mistakenly identify sperm as
harmful invaders and attempt to eliminate them. This is especially common in men who've had a vasectomy.
• Tumors. Cancers and nonmalignant tumors can affect the male reproductive organs directly, or can affect the
glands that release hormones related to reproduction (such as the pituitary gland). In some cases, surgery to treat
tumors can affect male fertility.
• Undescended testicles. In some males, during fetal development one or both testicles fail to descend from the
abdomen into the sac that usually contains the testicles (scrotum).
• Hormone imbalances. Infertility can result from disorders of the testicles themselves or an abnormality affecting
the glands in the brain that produce testosterone and other hormones that control the testicles (the hypothalamus
or pituitary glands). Low testosterone (male hypogonadism) and other hormonal problems have a number of
possible underlying causes.
• Sperm duct defects. The tubes that carry sperm (sperm ducts) can be damaged by illness or injury. Some men
are born with a blockage in the part of the testicle that stores sperm (epididymis) or a blockage of one or both of
the tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles. Men with cystic fibrosis and some other inherited conditions may be
born without sperm ducts altogether.
• Chromosome defects. Inherited disorders such as Klinefelter's syndrome — in which a male is born with two X
chromosomes and one Y chromosome instead of one X and one Y — cause abnormal development of the male
reproductive organs.
• Problems with sexual intercourse. These can include trouble keeping or maintaining an erection sufficient for
sex (erectile dysfunction), premature ejaculation, painful intercourse, or psychological or relationship problems
that interfere with sex.
• Celiac disease. A digestive disorder caused by sensitivity to gluten, celiac disease can cause male infertility.
Fertility may improve after adopting a gluten-free diet.
• Certain medications. Testosterone replacement therapy, long-term anabolic steroid use, cancer medications
(chemotherapy), certain antibiotics, some ulcer medications and certain other medications can impair sperm
production and decrease male fertility.
Environmental causes
Overexposure to certain environmental elements such as heat, toxins and chemicals can reduce sperm production or
sperm function. Specific causes include:
• Pesticides. Some men exposed to pesticides such as ethylene dibromide and organophosphates have lowered
sperm counts. Pesticide exposure has also been linked to testicular cancer. Most studies have been done on
men who work in agriculture or live in agricultural areas.
• Heavy metal exposure. Exposure to lead or other heavy metals also may cause infertility.
• Exposure to radiation or X-rays. Exposure to radiation can reduce sperm production. It can take several years for
sperm production to return to normal. With high doses of radiation, sperm production can be permanently
reduced.
• Overheating the testicles. Frequent use of saunas or hot tubs may temporarily lower your sperm count. Sitting for
long periods or wearing tight clothing also may increase the temperature in your scrotum and reduce sperm
production.
• Prolonged bicycling. Prolonged bicycling is another possible cause of reduced fertility due to overheating the
testicles. In some cases, bicycle seat pressure on the area behind the testicles (perineum) can cause numbness
in the penis and erectile dysfunction.
Health, lifestyle and other causes
Some other causes of male infertility include:
• Illegal drug use. Anabolic steroids taken to stimulate muscle strength and growth can cause the testicles to shrink
and sperm production to decrease. Use of cocaine or marijuana may temporarily reduce the number and quality of
your sperm as well.
• Alcohol abuse. Heavy drinking can lower testosterone levels, cause erectile dysfunction and decrease sperm
production. Liver disease caused by excessive drinking also may cause fertility problems.
• Tobacco smoking. Men who smoke may have a lower sperm count than do those who don't smoke. Secondhand
smoke also may affect male fertility.
• Emotional stress. Stress may interfere with certain hormones needed to produce sperm. Your sperm count may
be affected if you experience severe or prolonged emotional stress. A problem with fertility itself can sometimes
become long term and discouraging, producing stress.
• Vitamin deficiency. Deficiencies in nutrients such as vitamin C, selenium, zinc and folate may contribute to male
infertility.
• Weight. Obesity can cause hormone changes that reduce male fertility. Men who are underweight also may have
reduced fertility.
• Age. Men older than 35 begin to have a gradual decline in fertility.
Western Medical Treatment
Treatment of male infertility depends on the cause, how long you've been infertile, your age and personal preferences.
In all cases of infertility, the female partner also will need to be checked and may need treatment. In some cases,
treatment of the female partner can compensate for male fertility problems. Your doctor may try to improve your fertility
by either correcting an underlying problem (if one is found) or trying treatments that seem like they may be helpful.
Often, an exact cause of infertility can't be identified. Even if an exact cause isn't clear, your doctor may be able to
recommend treatments that work.
Treatments for male infertility include:
• Surgery. For example, a varicocele can often be surgically corrected or an obstructed vas deferens can be repaired.
• Treating infections. If a blood test reveals high numbers of white blood cells, you may have an infection of the
reproductive tract. Antibiotic treatment may cure the infection, but doesn't always restore fertility.
• Treatments for sexual intercourse problems. Treating conditions such as erectile dysfunction or premature
ejaculation can improve fertility. Approaches can include medication or counseling.
• Hormone treatments and medications. In cases where infertility is caused by high or low levels of certain
hormones or problems with the way the body uses hormones, your doctor may recommend treatment with
hormone replacement or medications that change hormone levels.
• Assisted reproductive technology (ART). For blockage of the vas deferens, retrograde ejaculation or other
problems with sperm delivery, sperm can be taken directly from the testicle or recovered from the bladder and
injected into an egg. The most common ART treatment is in vitro fertilization (IVF). This procedure involves
surgically removing an egg from a woman's ovary, combining it with sperm in the lab, and then placing the
fertilized egg into the uterus.
When treatment doesn't work
Sometimes male fertility problems can't be treated, and it's impossible for a man to father a child. If this is the case,
your doctor may suggest that you and your partner consider either using sperm from a donor or adopting a child.
Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.
Information collected from wikipedia.com, oif.org and health.yahoo.net
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