What is Male Factor Infertility?
Male factor infertility refers to problems with the quantity or quality of sperm, or with the male reproductive organs, that make natural conception difficult or impossible.
It accounts for around 40–50% of infertility cases in couples.
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2️⃣ Causes
•Low sperm count (oligospermia)
•Poor sperm motility (asthenospermia)
•Abnormal sperm shape (teratospermia)
•Hormonal imbalance affecting testosterone production
•Varicocele – enlarged veins in the scrotum that affect sperm quality
•Infections or inflammation (e.g., STIs, prostatitis)
•Genetic disorders such as Klinefelter syndrome
•Lifestyle factors – smoking, alcohol, stress, or exposure to toxins
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3️⃣ Diagnosis
•Semen analysis: Measures sperm count, motility, and shape.
•Hormonal tests: Evaluate testosterone, FSH, and LH levels.
•Ultrasound: Detects blockages or varicocele.
•Genetic testing: Checks for inherited causes.
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4️⃣ Treatment Options
•Medication or hormone therapy: To regulate testosterone and stimulate sperm production.
•Surgery: To repair varicocele or remove obstructions.
•Lifestyle changes: Balanced diet, quitting smoking, reducing stress.
•Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART):
•IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
•IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)
•ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), when sperm count is very low.
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5️⃣ Prognosis
With modern treatments, even men with severe infertility can become fathers.
Techniques like ICSI allow fertilization with a single healthy sperm cell, giving couples a high chance of success.