There are lots of things that can cause a man to be infertile. Most commonly, problems lie with sperm disorders and issues with how the testicles function. General health and lifestyle choices all have a huge impact as well but unfortunately doctors are often unable to determine the specific cause. I have teamed up with a fertility treatment clinic in London to offer the following information regarding male infertility.
As mentioned, one of the biggest causes of male infertility is a sperm disorder. This could be low or no sperm count, sperm that isn’t functional and cannot swim to the egg, and sperm that is not a normal shape and therefore cannot move as well. Ejaculation disorders also pose an issue.
Hypogonadism is another issue that lots of men face, which essentially is when a man is unable to produce enough testosterone. As a result, they experience low sex drive, unusual sperm count and even an inability to achieve an erection; all issues that reduce the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Lifestyle choices can also affect male fertility. For example, use of cocaine or marijuana can reduce sperm count for the short term. Taking steroids to stimulate muscle growth can cause sperm production to shut down completely as they stop the body from making the necessary hormones required. Alcohol can decrease sperm production and cause erectile dysfunction. Smoking, excess weight, infection and radiation exposure are all other lifestyle factors that can cause infertility in men.
If you are worried about your ability to naturally conceive a child, it would be wise to speak to your doctor, who will be able to advise you on some specific changes you can make. Fertility clinics will assess both your own and your partner’s fertility to try and find the root cause of the issue, and will then suggest ways you can proceed.
