Male Infertility Causes
Fertility in men requires normal functioning of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland (hormone-producing glands in the brain), and the testes Therefore, a variety of conditions can lead to infertility.
- 30 to 40 percent of cases are due to problems in the testes
- 10 to 20 percent are due to a blockage in the pathway that sperm use to exit the testes during ejaculation. This can be caused by prior infection
- 1 to 2 percent of cases are due to conditions of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
- 40 to 50 percent of cases have no identifiable cause, even after an evaluation
DIAGNOSIS
In any fertility work-up, both male and female partners are tested if pregnancy fails to occur after a year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
Physical Exam
A fertility specialist will perform a physical examination. A physical examination of the scrotum, including the testes, is essential for any male fertility work-up. It is useful for detecting large
- Varicocele — A varicocele is a dilation of a vein (like a varicose vein) in the scrotum.
- Undescended testes,
- Absence of vas deferens, cysts, or other physical abnormalities
INVESTIGATION
Post-Ejaculatory Urine Sample
A urine sample to detect sperm after ejaculation may rule out or indicate retrograde ejaculation. It also may be used to test for infections.
Semen Analysis
The basic test to evaluate a man’s fertility is a semen analysis.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging may be used to accurately determine the size of the testes or to detect cysts, tumors, abnormal blood flow, or varicoceles that are too small for physical detection (although such small veins may have little or no effect on fertility). It can also help detect testicular cancer
Genetic Testing
Genetic testing may be warranted in men who are severely deficient in sperm and who show no evidence of obstruction, particularly in men undergoing the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedure. Genetic testing can help identify DNA fragmentation, chromosomal defects, or the possibility of genetic diseases that can be passed on to children. If genetic abnormalities are suspected in either partner, counseling is recommended
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TREATMENT
The treatment of male infertility depends upon the underlying cause. Several months to years of treatment are usually necessary to achieve fertility. The treatment often involves both male and female partners.
Treatment of Blockage of the reproductive tract — Men who have a blockage in the ducts conveying the sperm from the testis until ejaculation (so that sperm cannot get out) can undergo surgery to correct the blockage. If it is not successful, another option is assisted reproductive technologies using sperm retrieved from the testes.
Treatment of hypothalamic or pituitary deficiency — In a small percentage of cases (1 to 2 percent), male infertility is due to problems in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland (parts of the brain that regulate hormone production). In this case, treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (rhFSH) (also called gonadotropin treatment) is often given.
- Gonadotropin treatment — Gonadotropin treatment is started with injections of hCG three times per week (or sometimes every other day) for up to six months.
- Varicocele can be treated surgically
An alternative to varicocele repair is assisted reproductive techniques (ART), such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). With ICSI, only a small number of sperm are needed
TREATMENT BY AYURVEDIC METHODS
- Treatment for infertility is our research medication having excellent result.
- Some Ayurvedic drugs having good role on hormonal changes of body along with no side effect like allopathic drugs.
- Some Ayurvedic procedure like basti is used for cystic obstruction in vas difference and rejuvenation of testies to produce sperms.
- Ayurvedic drugs are having good role on sperm production and sperm motility without any side effect.
