Types of Infertility in Males

What is Male Infertility?

Male infertility is a medical term used when a man is unable to make his female partner conceive a child despite having unprotected sex regularly for more than a year. In simple terms, if sperm cannot reach and fertilise the egg, conception becomes difficult. Most of the time, male infertility stems from the following:

• There are problems with sperm production, which occurs when there are too few or poor-quality sperm.
• Or, there are issues with sperm function, which happens when sperm are not able to move properly or have an abnormal shape.
• And problems with sperm delivery, due to blockages in the fallopian tube, and ejaculation disorders.

Note that male infertility is common, treatable, and not indicative of masculinity. A large majority of men can obtain parenthood either naturally or through assisted reproduction with the appropriate evaluation and timely treatment.

Types of Male Infertility:

Male fertility is directly linked to how sperm are affected; therefore, based on this, male infertility can be classified into several types:

1. Oligospermia (Low Sperm Count):

Oligospermia is among the most common causes of male infertility. It is defined as having less than 15 million sperm per millilitre of semen, which will make conception impossible under normal circumstances.

How Oligospermia Affects Fertility:

• Having fewer sperm decreases the odds that sperm will reach and fertilise the egg
• This may also negatively affect the quality of semen over time
• Causes may include lifestyle factors, hormonal imbalance, varicocele, infections, and exposure to environmental toxins

Symptoms:

• Generally, there are no obvious signs
• Difficulty conceiving with regular unprotected intercourse
• Less commonly, a decrease in sexual drive or hormonal factors

2. Azoospermia (No Sperm in Semen):

Azoospermia is the absence of sperm in the ejaculate altogether. Azoospermia can be obstructive (when there is a blockage in the sperm transport area) or non-obstructive (when the testes are unable to produce sperm).

How Azoospermia Affects Fertility:

• No sperm are present for fertilisation.
• It may require sperm retrieval for surgical or assisted reproductive technologies.

Symptoms:

• Most men have no symptoms.
• Some men may have small or undeveloped testes.
• Hormonal symptoms such as fatigue or loss of libido.

3. Asthenozoospermia (Poor Sperm Motility):

This condition occurs when sperm are not able to move correctly or swim linearly, thereby limiting their ability to reach the egg.

How asthenozoospermia impacts fertility:

• A normal sperm count is not enough to achieve fertilisation when sperm cannot exhibit good motility.
• Causes include varicocele, infections, oxidative stress, or structural defects in sperm.

Symptoms:

• No obvious symptoms
• Infertility against the background of normal semen volume
• Mild correlation with discomfort in the scrotum (as in varicocele)

4. Teratozoospermia (Abnormal Sperm Shape):

Teratozoospermia indicates a number of sperm with abnormal morphology (shape), such as irregular heads or abnormal tails.

How Teratozoospermia Affects Fertility:

• The abnormal sperm cannot successfully penetrate or fertilise the egg.
• It is often associated with genetic defects, testicular injury or as a result of exposure to toxins.

Symptoms:

• Generally, there are no outward signs of teratozoospermia.
• Tested through a semen analysis Bangladesh.
• It may occur simultaneously with other abnormalities of the sperm.

5. Necrozoospermia (dead & non-viable sperm):

Necrozoospermia is a rare, but serious cause of infertility in which the sperm is present, but dead or not functional.

How does necrozoospermia affect fertility?

• Dead sperm cannot fertilise the egg.
• Usually, it occurs due to infections, chemical toxins or immune-related issues.

Symptoms:

• Typically, there are no obvious indications of necrozoospermia.
• Total infertility despite having sperm in the ejaculate.

Risk Factors That Increase Male Infertility:

While infertility can affect anyone, certain risk factors can make some males even more vulnerable to infertility. These risk factors generally include:

• Age: Although males remain fertile throughout their lives, the best fertile window is below the age of 40. This is because older men may experience lower sperm motility and DNA fragmentation, which ultimately contribute to multiple failed conceptions and miscarriage.
• Family History: Men with a family history of male infertility due to any reason, i.e Klinefelter syndrome or hormonal imbalance, have a higher chance of acquiring this issue.
• Lifestyle Habits: People with excessive use of alcohol and smoking, or even caffeine intake, are more likely to have a low sperm count, eventually causing infertility.
• Weight Issues: Weight issues, either obesity or underweight, can also negatively impact the hormonal balance in males.
• Occupational and Environmental Exposure: People working in hazardous jobs, including radiation, prolonged heat exposure, pesticides and heavy metals, have a greater chance of being infertile.
• Chemotherapy and previous medical history: Previous medical history of STIs or chemotherapy sessions can also decrease fertility in males.

Treatment Options for Male Infertility

Infertility can be overwhelming for any male, but the good news is that the treatment is now more accessible with advancements in medical technologies. The first line of defence for male infertility is early diagnosis itself, and then these are the advanced options for male infertility treatment Bangladesh:

• Medications and drugs are provided to fight mild infertility.
• Surgical treatments for varicocele repair and correcting blockages in the male reproductive tract.
• Assisted reproductive technologies, like ICSI, are used for couples aspiring to have a baby.
• Taking preventive measures for infertility, like enhancing the standard of living, quitting smoking and alcohol.

Conclusion

Finally, male infertility is more prevalent than most individuals think. This is why knowing the types, causes, risk factors, and treatments for male infertility is the first step towards solutions. Timely assessment, nutritional modifications, medical therapy and technology can help most men overcome the first steps to infertility. If aiming to conceive is relevant for the couple, addressing emotional and awareness processes is also necessary. Addressing the stigma and reaching out for help sooner rather than later can help a couple achieve their goal of becoming parents.