Symptoms of Male Infertility

       January 1, 0000    1503

 

Infertility is a condition that occurs not only in females but also in males. It is important to note that infertility is not a physical condition, and most symptoms reflect a far greater problem that resides inside a male body. The pretesticular causes of male fertility include many problems. They are endocrine problems such as diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorders. The may also be hypothalamic disorders, i.e. Kallmann syndrome. Other factors may include hyperprolactinemia, hypopituitarism, and hypogonadism due to various causes. Testicular factors include, Y chromosome microdeletions i.e. genetic defects on Y chromosome, Klinefelter syndrome i.e. abnormal set of chromosomes, and idiopathic failure. Posttesticular causes include, vas deferens obstruction, retrograde ejaculation, and infection such as prostatitis. They may also include hypospadias, impotence, and acromosomal defect or egg penetration defect. Smoking can also be an important factor.

Erectile dysfunction can be effectively treated with medications. But more advanced signs of infertility in a male may lead to the use of assisted reproduction technologies that are helpful in treating male as well as female infertility. Generally, in various types of assisted reproduction technologies, male patients are asked to produce semen from which sperm cells are collected. If the semen quality is good for in-vitro fertilization, it can fertilize along with female egg cells. However, if semen has very low quality, the patients will be asked whether they want to adopt sperms from donors. It is a fact that no technology is available today that will help increase quality of sperm cells of a particular person.

Symptoms

A male is unable to impregnate his partner after trying unprotected sex for one year. The history should include prior testicular insults such as torsion, cryptorchidism, and trauma. It may also include infections like mumps, orchitis, and epididymitis. The environmental factors may include excessive heat, radiation, and chemotherapy. Medications can have factors like anabolic steroids, and cimetidine, and drugs like marijuana. Sexual habits, frequency and timing of intercourse, use of lubricants, and each partner’s previous fertility experiences are also very vital. Loss of libido, headaches or visual disturbances may point toward a pituitary tumor. The history may also reveal thyroid or liver disease, diabetic neuropathy, radical pelvic or retroperitonial surgery, or hernia repair.

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