Male Infertility 

Male infertility is a condition that impedes on a male’s ability to start a pregnancy. 

Infertility is a disease that affects the reproductive system and can be found in both men and women. Male infertility, in particular, hinders a male’s ability to get a female partner pregnant. 

What Causes Male Infertility? 

A male’s ability to naturally reproduce is dependent on two factors: 

• Producing healthy sperm for egg fertilization 
• The ability to have an erection and ejaculate sperm that can reach the egg 

Anything that prevents either process from happening is a sign of male infertility. Main causes of male infertility include:  

• Inability to produce sperm (azoospermia) 
• Production of poor-quality sperm (oligospermia) 
• Genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis and hemochromatosis 
• Structural complications in the genital tract that obstruct the flow of semen 
• Conditions such as erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation 

There are a number of other circumstances that can put males at a greater risk of experiencing infertility. These include: 

• Obesity 
• Exposure to elevated levels of testosterone 
• Exposure to radiation 
• Tobacco and alcohol abuse 

Symptoms of Male Infertility

A male may be experiencing infertility if his female partner has not become pregnant after one year of having regular sex without birth control. 

Diagnosis for Male Infertility 

Diagnosis of male infertility starts with a thorough physical examination to determine any health factors that may be impacting the male’s fertility. If the examination provides no indication of factors that may contribute to infertility, a number of tests and procedures can be performed. These include: 

• Sperm analysis that can measure sperm count, how well they move and how healthy they are 
• Blood tests to check hormone levels 
• Alternative tests, such as image testing and ultrasounds, which can be used to explore the cause of sperm defects 
• A testicular biopsy, if a blood test shows low hormone levels 

Treatments for Male Infertility 

The experts at Tampa General Hospital can help patients find the cause of their infertility and work toward a long-awaited solution. Depending on the cause, treatment options for male infertility can include: 

• Medicine intended to treat hormonal imbalances 
• Surgery that removes swollen veins from the scrotum or reconnects obstructed tubes 

Other treatments that focus on getting the female partner pregnant include: 

• Artificial insemination 
• In vitro fertilization (IVF) 
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)