Women can sometimes feel like the issue of fertility falls entirely on our shoulders. We often hear emphasis on common complications like ovulation, menstrual cycles, egg quality or hormonal changes as you age. But the reality is many men also face fertility challenges. Male factor infertility plays a significant role in many couples’s journeys to become parents, and these issues are just as expected and impactful as female infertility. Unfortunately, they’re just not talked about enough.
“Most people, indeed, think infertility is a condition that only—or mainly—affects women, but the truth is that 40 to 50 percent of infertility cases are related to male factor infertility. And 20 to 30 percent of the time, it’s a combination of both female and male
infertility factors,” Dr. Michael Witt, a reproductive endocrinologist at Reproductive Biology Associates, said. “The good news is we are seeing a shift in the conversation around infertility, and that is helping people understand that infertility can affect anyone of any gender.”
Simply put, male infertility can be caused by several factors. From low sperm production or blockages to abnormal sperm function or certain lifestyle choices, these factors can make it challenging for natural conception to happen for heterosexual couples. It can be scary, but here’s the good news: with the proper care, routine adjustments or medical treatment, you can find the path towards parenthood that works for you.
Here, we explain common male fertility issues, the factors affecting male fertility and advice on when to seek medical treatment. Fertility can feel like an impossible journey, but with the right education about sperm health, you can feel more confident and prepared especially if you are struggling to conceive.
- Common Male Fertility Problems
- Lifestyle Factors Affecting Male Fertility
- When to Seek Medical Attention
Common Male Fertility Problems
So, what actually causes male infertility? There are several factors that can contribute to male infertility and understanding some of the common ones can make your fertility journey easier. From low sperm count to poor sperm motility, here’s what you need to know about male factor fertility:
Low Sperm Count
Oligospermia, commonly known as low sperm count, means that when a male ejaculates during an orgasm, his semen contains fewer sperm than what is considered normal. Sperm count is considered low if a man has less than 15 million sperm in a milliliter of semen. While it sounds like a lot, having a low sperm count can decrease your odds that one of the sperm will fertilize your egg.
“Sperm count is detected through semen analysis, and the ranges vary from normal
too low/severely low and, in some cases, zero sperm count,” Dr. Witt explained.
Low sperm count can be caused by medical issues, like an infection, ejaculation problems or hormone imbalances. However, it can also be caused by health and lifestyle things like drug or alcohol use, emotional stress, depression, obesity or even certain occupations associated with prolonged sitting. The best treatment option if your partner has a low sperm count would be to look into fertility treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). These procedures help place sperm directly into an egg, which can help you conceive faster.
Poor Sperm Motility
“Sperm motility refers to how the sperm moves. If the sperm doesn’t move normally,
they are less likely to be capable of fertilizing an egg,” Dr. Witt said.
Low sperm motility can be caused by a few things. Infection, injury, testicular cancer or surgery for undescended testicles can all impact sperm motility. To see if your partner has low sperm motility, he can get a semen analysis done, which assesses the formation of sperm and how they interact in seminal fluid.
To improve sperm motility, a man can also try stopping the use of drugs, smoking or excessive alcohol. If he is overweight or considered obese or works at a place with prolonged sitting periods, prioritizing regular movement and a consistent exercise schedule can make a difference, too.
Sperm Morphology
Sperm morphology refers to the size and shape of sperm. This can also be examined in a semen analysis. Typically, a healthy sperm will have an oval shape with a long tail that helps it swim towards his partner’s egg. If sperm has an abnormal shape or size, it can affect its ability to swim towards an egg, making it harder to conceive.
This can be caused by genetic factors, lifestyle habits or other underlying health conditions a male may have. Sometimes, treatments like IUI and IVF can help the journey to conceive. With IVF, an egg will be fertilized directly by injecting sperm in a petri dish. After, the embryo is transferred to the uterus. IUI is when sperm is directly implanted into the uterus when you are ovulating.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction, or impotence, is when a man struggles getting or maintaining an erection during sex. While this is not directly related to sperm health, it can be a significant reason for male infertility. It can be caused from a variety of factors, like stress, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol or tobacco use. If your partner has ED, he can try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of high cardio in.
If your partner has a more significant health issue that is causing ED, like heart disease, he should consult with his doctor for help.
Lifestyle Factors Affecting Male Fertility
As we’ve mentioned, there are plenty of lifestyle changes that can improve male fertility. While infertility might be caused by a deeper medical reason, there are a few easy changes he can start today.
First, maintain a healthy weight. A higher weight is associated with a lower sperm count, so keeping weight at a healthy number can improve his fertility. Alongside this, eating a healthy diet, full of fruits and vegetables can make an impact on sperm health. Exercising regularly also increases levels of antioxidant enzymes, which actually protect sperm. Lastly, managing stress and getting enough sleep is so important. Stress can lower sexual function and affect the needed hormones to produce sperm.
Now that you know what to do—what about what not to do? Dr. Alex Robles of Columbia University Fertility Center advises men to avoid drugs, smoking and excessive alcohol intake, all of which can reduce sperm quality.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If you or your partner are feeling uncertain about when to seek medical attention for fertility, always remember the sooner the better. Early intervention is so necessary.
It’s essential to consult a fertility specialist if you’ve been struggling to conceive, if your partner has known medical conditions that cause poor sperm health or he is experiencing ED or ejaculation problems.
Seeking a reproductive health assessment or consultation can help you and your partner better navigate your fertility journey and make informed decisions as a team. Dr. Robles explained some men are reluctant to seek help as they believe they can not be a part of the issue, even though many men experience male infertility. He’s not alone—and neither are you on the journey to create your family.
