Infertility is the inability of a couple to achieve pregnancy after one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Male infertility refers to infertility traceable to male factors; and this constitutes about 50% of infertility cases (in isolation or in combination with female causes).
Male infertility is largely due to abnormalities with the sperm such as low sperm count, semen with no sperm cells in it, abnormal structure of sperm cells (double head, double tail, no tail etc), inability of sperm to move or sluggish movement of sperm and antibody against sperm cells present in semen.
In some instances, there is no sperm release at all. This may be due to blockage of the channel which semen is supposed to pass during ejaculation or due to the fact that semen moves backward into the bladder, during ejaculation, instead of moving out through the urethra (retrograde ejaculation).
Erectile dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation are significant factors in male infertility. Both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation may discourage frequent sexual activities due to frustration and lack of sexual satisfaction. These may then lead to reduced sexual exposures and infertility in the end.
Abnormalities in sperm qualities, consequently leading to male infertility include: trauma to the testes, previous surgery affecting the testes or spermatic cord, previous disease affecting the testes such as mumps orchitis, tobacco smoking, alcohol intake, sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhoea and Chlamydia), genetic abnormalities etc.
Information necessary to volunteer include any known inherited family trait, long-standing health problems like diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, kidney problems etc and their treatments so far. Previous surgeries which could affect fertility are of importance as well as sexual habits.
Sexual developments through pubertal period as well as disease conditions which may have affected the testes like mumps orchitis (a disease that affects mainly children presenting with fever, swelling of the testes and other features) are important when volunteering information for doctors.
Examination for male infertility involves checking the penis and testes after the general physical examination, checking for specific male characteristics. The size of the testicles, swelling or abnormal blood vessels detected will be of importance during evaluation.
