8 March, 2023
Male infertility: has there been an increase in cases over the last few years?
Nowadays, it is relatively common to have friends or family members with problems in achieving pregnancy, and even we can be affected at any given time.
Similar to what happens with assisted reproduction, which despite being increasingly normalised is still considered a taboo subject, there has always been a belief that cases of infertility are more frequently associated with women than with men.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Today, we can state that 30% of the cases we receive at HC Fertility are associated with problems in the male factor, with another 30% being related to women. In the rest of the cases, problems are related to both members of the couple or are of unknown origin.
Does this mean that there has been an increase in male infertility in recent years?
Below, we will analyse the main problems affecting male fertility.
WHAT CAUSES INFERTILITY IN MEN?
The causes that can lead to fertility-related problems in men differ from those in women.
In the case of women, you certainly know that age is a key factor and one of the main problems we face in fertility clinics. With the passing of time, both the quantity and the quality of the oocytes begin to decline, so the older you are, the more problems you will have in achieving pregnancy in a natural way. The same applies to diseases or alterations in your reproductive system, that can even hinder ovulation. We are referring, for example, to endometriosis or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, two relatively frequent factors associated with female infertility.
With regard to men, age is not such a determining factor, although other factors do have an influence on semen quality.
In this respect, different studies have shown how prolonged exposure to pollutants, which are widely present nowadays, is related to a decrease in the quality of semen in men.
In addition, unhealthy lifestyles and habits, such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, are factors that have a significant impact on male fertility. Another factor associated with fertility problems and poor sperm production is stress.
Apart from these causes, as in women, there are a number of biological factors that affect both the quantity and quality of semen:
- Alterations in testicular function that directly affect semen quality. For example, azoospermia or oligospermia of testicular origin
- Obstruction or infections in the ducts that may impair their function
- Abnormalities in the reproductive system
CAN MALE INFERTILITY BE PREVENTED?
As you have seen, infertility in men is often conditioned by their lifestyle. In this case, factors such as overweight or prolonged stress are associated with poor semen quality, as well as with erectile dysfunction problems.
When a couple decides to start trying to conceive, it is always advisable to try to maintain the healthiest possible lifestyle, even in the previous months.
However, after 12 months of unprotected intercourse without achieving pregnancy, the couple should consider visiting a specialist, who can evaluate the fertility situation of both partners in order to diagnose the problem that may be hindering pregnancy. If, in addition, the members of the couple are over 35 years of age, it is advisable that the visit to the specialist be made when 6 months have passed without achieving pregnancy.
WHAT TESTS ARE PERFORMED FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF MALE INFERILITY?
The main diagnostic test to evaluate male fertility is called seminogram, which is mainly aimed at assessing semen quality by studying sperm parameters.
For this purpose, the macroscopic parameters of the sample (appearance, viscosity, pH, volume, liquefaction time, etc.) are analysed first, followed by the microscopic parameters (total number of sperm cells in the sample and sperm cell concentration per millilitre, as well as sperm motility and morphology).
In addition, while it may not be one of the main studies, it is also advisable to perform a karyotype test, which enables the evaluation of the chromosomal formula of the patient and thus allows us to discard possible chromosomal alterations that could lead to sterility or infertility. This study only requires a blood test.
In conclusion, it is the specialist who must evaluate the specific case of each couple and conduct studies on both partners to identify the origin of the problem and, based on this, advise them on the best path to follow in order to achieve pregnancy.
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