January 29, 2025
Understanding and Treating Male Sub-fertility
Infertility is often mistakenly perceived as solely a female issue. However, male factors contribute to approximately 30-50% of infertility cases. This highlights the importance of understanding and addressing male sub-fertility, which is a reduced capacity for reproduction. At Asiri Nova IVF & Fertility Centre, we offer comprehensive diagnostic and treatment options to help men overcome these challenges and achieve their dream of fatherhood.
What is Male Sub-fertility?
Male sub-fertility refers to any condition that reduces a man’s chances of conceiving a child. It doesn't necessarily mean complete infertility, but rather a decreased ability to fertilize an egg. This can be due to various factors affecting sperm production, function, or delivery.
Common Causes of Male Sub-fertility:
Several factors can contribute to male sub-fertility, including:
- Sperm Production Issues:
- Low Sperm Count (Oligospermia): This is the most common cause, where the number of sperm in the ejaculate is lower than normal.
- Poor Sperm Motility (Asthenospermia): This refers to the sperm’s inability to swim effectively towards the egg.
- Abnormal Sperm Morphology (Teratospermia): This means the sperm have an abnormal shape, which can hinder their ability to fertilize an egg.
- Hormonal Imbalances: Hormones like testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) play a crucial role in sperm production. Imbalances in these hormones can disrupt sperm production.
- Varicocele: This is an enlargement of the veins within the scrotum, which can increase testicular temperature and negatively impact sperm production.
- Infections: Past or present infections, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia and gonorrhoea, can damage the reproductive system and affect fertility.
- Ejaculation Problems: Retrograde ejaculation (where semen enters the bladder instead of being expelled) or premature ejaculation can hinder the delivery of sperm.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, obesity, and exposure to certain toxins can negatively impact sperm quality and production.
- Medical Conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and certain autoimmune diseases can contribute to male sub-fertility.
- Genetic Factors: Genetic abnormalities can sometimes affect sperm production or function.
- Previous Surgery or Trauma: Previous surgeries in the pelvic area or trauma to the testicles can affect fertility.
Diagnosing Male Sub-fertility:
A thorough evaluation is crucial to identify the underlying cause of male sub-fertility. This typically involves:
- Medical History and Physical Examination: A detailed review of the patient's medical history, including past illnesses, surgeries, medications, and lifestyle habits. A physical examination focuses on the reproductive organs.
- Semen Analysis: This is the cornerstone of male fertility testing. It evaluates various parameters of the semen, including:
- Sperm count
- Sperm motility
- Sperm morphology
- Semen volume
- pH
- Hormone Testing: Blood tests to measure hormone levels (testosterone, FSH, LH, and prolactin) can help identify hormonal imbalances.
- Scrotal Ultrasound: This imaging technique can detect varicoceles, blockages, or other abnormalities in the testicles and surrounding structures.
- Genetic Testing: In some cases, genetic testing may be recommended to identify genetic factors contributing to infertility.
- Testicular Biopsy: In rare cases, a testicular biopsy may be performed to examine testicular tissue and assess sperm production directly.
Treatment Options for Male Sub-fertility at Asiri Nova:
At Asiri Nova IVF & Fertility Centre, we offer a range of advanced treatments to address male sub-fertility, tailored to the specific diagnosis:
- Lifestyle Modifications: Recommendations for lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress, can significantly improve sperm quality.
- Medications: Medications can be prescribed to address hormonal imbalances, treat infections, or improve sperm production.
- Surgery: Surgical interventions may be necessary to correct varicoceles, blockages in the reproductive tract, or other structural abnormalities.
- Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART):
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): This involves placing washed and concentrated sperm directly into the woman's uterus around the time of ovulation. IUI is suitable for mild male factor infertility.
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): IVF involves fertilizing eggs with sperm in a laboratory dish. IVF is often recommended for more severe cases of male factor infertility.
- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): This specialized IVF technique involves directly injecting a single sperm into an egg. ICSI is highly effective for cases of severe male factor infertility, such as low sperm count, poor motility, or abnormal morphology.
- Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) / Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA): These procedures are used to retrieve sperm directly from the testicles or epididymis when sperm is not present in the ejaculate due to blockages or other issues. The retrieved sperm can then be used for ICSI.
Why Choose Asiri Nova IVF & Fertility Centre?
Asiri Nova IVF & Fertility Centre is a leading fertility centre in Sri Lanka, offering comprehensive and compassionate care to couples facing infertility. Our advantages include:
- Experienced Fertility Specialists: Our team comprises highly qualified and experienced fertility specialists with expertise in male infertility.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: We are equipped with advanced laboratories and technology to provide accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: We understand that every patient is unique. We develop individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient's specific needs and circumstances.
- Comprehensive Support: We provide comprehensive support throughout the fertility journey, including counselling and emotional support.
- High Success Rates: We are committed to achieving the highest possible success rates for our patients.
Taking the First Step:
If you are concerned about your fertility, it is essential to seek professional help. At Asiri Nova IVF & Fertility Centre, we offer confidential consultations and comprehensive evaluations to diagnose and treat male sub-fertility. Taking the first step towards understanding and addressing your fertility concerns can significantly increase your chances of achieving your dream of parenthood.
Male sub-fertility is a common issue that can be effectively addressed with proper diagnosis and treatment. At Asiri Nova IVF & Fertility Centre, we are committed to providing the highest quality care and support to help men overcome fertility challenges and build their families.
