If you're not getting pregnant, it's often due to a mix of factors from both partners, but male factors like low sperm count, poor sperm quality (shape/movement), or delivery issues (blockages, ejaculation problems) are common causes, alongside lifestyle factors (smoking, weight, heat exposure) and underlying medical conditions (infections, genetics, diabetes). Male factor infertility contributes significantly to couples struggling to conceive, so getting a semen analysis is crucial to identify specific issues, as many are treatable.
There are many issues which prevent a couple from conceiving. The man may have a low sperm count or they may be atypical or slow. A woman may have an allergy or antibodies against his sperm. She may have an inflammatory condition which prevents impregnation like infection or endometriosis.
Male infertility means a man is not able to start a pregnancy with his female partner after trying for 1 year with regular sex and no birth control. Male infertility can have many causes. You may not make enough sperm or healthy sperm. You may have a genetic problem, such as cystic fibrosis.
Common causes of infertility in men include: Sperm disorders. A man may have a low sperm count, or the sperm may be abnormally shaped. Sometimes sperm have low motility, which means they have trouble moving quickly or efficiently toward the egg.
Symptoms
Top tips for planning a pregnancy for men
Signs of Unhealthy Sperm
Drinking and Smoking
Consuming alcoholic beverages lessens sperm count and concentration as well as the percentage of normal sperm. Smoking cigarettes can harm DNA, prompting sperm mutations. The bonus? Cutting back on alcohol and tobacco is good for general health as well as sperm production..
Sometimes women don't ovulate regularly and consistently. Sporadic menstrual cycles can be caused by conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hormonal imbalances or obesity. Ovulation can also be impacted by excessive exercise, stress or low body weight.
We cannot determine male fertility by looking at a man or even by analysing his general health and lifestyle factors. To know if you are fertile, you will need to get tested. The depth of analysis and what the testing can tell you depends upon the package you opt for.
What causes male infertility? Many biological and environmental factors can cause male infertility. These include: Sperm problems, including malformed sperm, low sperm count (oligospermia) and the absence of sperm in your semen (azoospermia).
Infertility in men
A complete lack of sperm occurs in about 10% to 15% of men who are infertile. A hormone imbalance or blockage of sperm movement can cause a lack of sperm. In some cases of infertility, a man produces less sperm than normal. The most common cause of this condition is varicocele, an enlarged vein in the testicle.
Symptoms and signs of infertility in women or people AFAB
A woman's peak reproductive years are between the late teens and late 20s. By age 30, fertility (the ability to get pregnant) starts to decline. This decline happens faster once you reach your mid-30s. By 45, fertility has declined so much that getting pregnant naturally is unlikely.
If your partner doesn't want to parent the child, it's important to have an open and honest conversation with him about his feelings and why he doesn't want to take on that responsibility. It's possible that he may have concerns or fears that can be addressed through communication and support from others.
Follow these tips:
Specific factors can include:
The main symptom of infertility is the inability to get pregnant. A menstrual cycle that's too long (35 days or more), too short (less than 21 days), irregular or absent can mean that you're not ovulating. There might be no other signs or symptoms.
Symptoms of a low sperm count include:
Human semen is composed of fluids from the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands which mix during ejaculation. The seminal vesicles contribute 70% of semen volume, which contains fructose as the main energy source for sperm.
7 Signs It May Be Easy For You To Get Pregnant
Below are some of the most common signs of infertility in men and what they may indicate.
Heavy or ongoing alcohol use can lower testosterone levels and cause the body to make less sperm. Tobacco smoking. People who smoke might have a lower sperm count than people who don't smoke. Emotional stress.