Discussions about infertility often focus more on women, but male infertility really is a significant issue that shouldn’t be overlooked. Both men and women can contribute to fertility challenges, and addressing male infertility is crucial for comprehensive fertility care
We turned to the team at Clinica Tambre and asked them to share some facts regarding male infertility
The typical definition of infertility is the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected sex. If the couple doesn’t get pregnant after 12 months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse, a screening evaluation is needed for the male partner. If the female partner is over 35 years old, the period is reduced to six months.
Sperm quality plays a critical role in male fertility
Sperm quality is typically assessed based on several factors, including sperm count, motility, and morphology. Here’s how each of these factors contributes to overall sperm quality and its impact on infertility:
Sperm Count: Sperm count refers to the number of sperm cells present in a semen sample. A normal sperm count is generally considered to be at least 15 million sperm per milliliter. Low sperm count (oligospermia) can reduce the chances of fertilising an egg, making conception more challenging.
Sperm Motility: Sperm motility is the ability of sperm to move and swim. Good sperm motility is essential for sperm to navigate through the female reproductive tract and reach the egg. If a significant percentage of sperm have poor motility, it can contribute to infertility.
Sperm Morphology: Sperm morphology refers to the size and shape of sperm cells. Ideally, sperm should have a normal shape, with an oval head and a long tail. Abnormal morphology (teratospermia) can affect the sperm’s ability to penetrate and fertilise the egg.
Health and Lifestyle
Several factors can affect sperm quality, and these factors can have a significant impact on male fertility. Here are some common factors that can influence the quality of sperm:
Smoking: Tobacco smoke contains harmful chemicals that can damage sperm DNA and reduce sperm motility.
Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can negatively affect sperm production and quality.
Recreational Drugs: Use of illicit drugs, such as marijuana or cocaine, can impair sperm function.
Stress: Chronic stress may contribute to hormonal imbalances that affect sperm production.
Diet and Nutrition:Poor Diet: A diet lacking in essential nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins (such as vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc) can impact sperm quality.
Obesity: Being overweight or obese can be associated with lower sperm quality and hormonal imbalances.
Lack of Exercise: Sedentary lifestyle and lack of regular physical activity may contribute to poor sperm quality.
Environmental Factors
Exposure to Toxins: Prolonged exposure to environmental toxins, pesticides, and industrial chemicals can have detrimental effects on sperm quality.
Heat Exposure: Extended exposure of the testicles to high temperatures, such as from hot baths, saunas, or tight underwear, can affect sperm production.
Conditions affecting male fertility
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Certain infections, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can impact fertility if left untreated.
Hormonal Disorders: Conditions that affect hormonal balance, such as hypogonadism, can influence sperm production.
Genetic Factors: Some genetic conditions can lead to abnormalities in sperm production or function.
Age: Advanced paternal age has been associated with a decline in sperm quality, although the impact is generally less significant than in women.
Medications and Treatments: Certain medications, such as anabolic steroids and some antidepressants, can affect sperm production. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer can impair sperm production temporarily or permanently.
Male fertility tests
If a couple is having trouble conceiving, it’s essential for both partners to undergo fertility tests to identify any potential issues. For men, fertility tests typically involve evaluating various aspects of sperm production, quality, and function.
There are several tests available for men to assess fertility. These tests are typically conducted to evaluate various aspects of sperm health and reproductive function. Here are some common tests for male fertility:
Semen Analysis:
This is the primary test for assessing male fertility. It involves examining a sample of semen under a microscope to evaluate sperm count, motility (movement), morphology (shape), and other characteristics.
Hormone Testing:
Blood tests can be conducted to measure hormone levels, such as testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin. Hormonal imbalances can impact sperm production.
Scrotal Ultrasound: This imaging test uses ultrasound to assess the structure of the testicles and identify any abnormalities, such as varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum).
Genetic Testing: Genetic testing may be recommended to identify any chromosomal abnormalities or genetic conditions that could affect fertility.
Anti-sperm Antibody Testing: This test determines whether antibodies are present that may be attacking and damaging sperm, affecting their motility and function.
Post-Ejaculation Urinalysis: A urine sample taken after ejaculation helps determine if sperm are moving backward into the bladder (retrograde ejaculation), which can impact fertility.
Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing: This test assesses the integrity of sperm DNA, as high levels of DNA fragmentation may be associated with reduced fertility.
Testicular Biopsy: In certain cases, a small sample of testicular tissue may be taken for examination to assess sperm production and identify potential issues.
Clinica Tambre offers a variety of techniques and diagnostic tests for male origin cases, including Chromosperm and FISH.
These tests allow embryologists from the Andrology Laboratory to evaluate the global chromosome content of the sperm cells in a semen sample. The overall genetic load that could affect the success rate of an assisted reproduction treatment can be detected quickly and effectively with this method.
The usefulness of this test requires an understanding of another concept: the karyotype. A person’s karyotype is the set of chromosomes they possess. An ejaculate with a high percentage of chromosomally altered sperm cells could result in fewer aneuploid embryos, which means embryos with some chromosomal abnormalities.
Tips on how to improve sperm quality
There are several lifestyle changes and habits that may help improve the quality of sperm.
Maintain a Healthy Diet: Eat a balanced and nutritious diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Stay Hydrated: Drink an adequate amount of water to support overall health, including reproductive function.
Exercise Regularly: Engage in regular physical activity to help maintain a healthy weight and improve overall well-being. However, excessive or intense exercise may have negative effects on fertility, so moderation is key.
Avoid Smoking and Alcohol: Quitting smoking and moderating alcohol intake may have positive effects.
Limit Caffeine Intake: Some studies suggest that excessive caffeine intake may be associated with decreased fertility. Moderation is advised.
Manage Stress: Adopt stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, or meditation to help manage stress levels.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise may positively impact sperm quality.
Avoid Overheating: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures, such as in hot tubs or saunas, may temporarily reduce sperm production. Wearing loose-fitting underwear and avoiding excessive heat exposure may be beneficial.
Supplement Wisely: Some studies suggest that certain supplements, such as zinc, folic acid, and antioxidants like vitamin C and E, may have positive effects on sperm quality. However, it’s important not to exceed recommended levels, and supplementation should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Practice Safe Sex: Practice safe sex to reduce the risk of infections that may affect reproductive health.
It’s important to note that individual responses to lifestyle changes can vary, and improvements in sperm quality may take time.
Male fertility treatments
Depending on the cause of male infertility, various treatments may be recommended. These can include lifestyle changes, medications, surgery, or assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Emotional impact
Infertility can be emotionally challenging for both men and women. Men may experience feelings of guilt, shame, or inadequacy. Dealing with infertility can be emotionally challenging, and finding support is crucial. While support groups specifically for men facing infertility may be less common than those for couples or women, there are resources available. Explore online forums and communities where individuals and couples share their experiences with infertility. Websites such as Resolve (resolve.org) and Fertility Network (fertilitynetworkuk.org) often have discussion forums where men can connect with others facing similar challenges.
Should you have concerns regarding your fertility, we encourage you to reach out to Tambre Clinic for further details and assistance. Please get in touch and schedule your initial consultation at +44 (0) 20 38 688 650. Our team is ready to support you with cutting-edge fertility treatments.
Together with the team at Clinica Tambre, we will be exploring male fertility in more detail. So, if you have any questions, please do drop us a line at info@ivfbabble.com.
