Understanding the Different Causes of Infertility in Men

In about one-third of infertility cases, underlying health issues in men are the root cause. If you and your partner are trying to conceive a pregnancy but aren’t having any success, it might be time to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for infertility with our team at Urology Specialist Group. 

We offer comprehensive diagnostic testing in-office and can recommend a treatment plan that supports and improves your fertility.

Understanding infertility

Infertility is the inability to achieve and maintain a healthy, viable pregnancy after a year of trying. If you’re having unprotected sex but aren’t conceiving, its important that both you and your partner undergo fertility testing.

We offer comprehensive testing services for both men and women to identify what’s interfering with your ability to conceive a child, so you can achieve the family of your dreams.

As mentioned, in one-third of the cases of infertility, the issue lies with the man. In another third of cases, the issue lies with the woman. In the remaining one-third of cases, no identifiable cause of fertility issues can be found.

Male causes of infertility

There are a variety of underlying urological conditions that can affect a man’s fertility. We can diagnose and treat issues that contribute to infertility, such as:

Infections

Infections, especially sexually transmitted infections (STIs), can negatively affect your reproductive and sexual health. These infections can cause persistent inflammation and scarring in your reproductive tract.

Excess scar tissue and inflammation may affect how sperm travels to meet the egg and result in infertility.

Varicocele

Varicocele describes enlarged veins in the testicles. This condition is a common cause of male infertility because the swollen veins can affect the quality of sperm.

Treating the varicocele involves minimally invasive therapies to block blood flow in the damaged vein, so the vein ultimately withers away.

Hormone imbalances

Hormone imbalances like low testosterone can occur with aging or due to underlying health conditions. Even a slight imbalance can affect sperm production and your sexual function.

Hormone replacement therapy provides supplemental hormones that restore balance and improve your chances of successful conception.

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) describes the inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for sex. This condition is highly treatable but may temporarily interfere with your fertility.

ED can result from lifestyle choices, psychological issues, or physical health conditions. We can treat the condition with medications, supplemental hormones, or penis pumps to improve your fertility. Penile implants are also an effective way to restore sexual function.

Additional therapies to treat infertility

Our team at Urology Specialist Group can treat many common causes of infertility. However, for issues that aren’t treatable with conservative therapies, you might need specialized fertility treatments like fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation in women.

We also offer resources for in-vitro fertilization (IVF), a procedure to collect mature eggs from a woman’s ovaries and fertilize them with a male’s sperm in a medical lab.

If you’re struggling to achieve a pregnancy, you’re not alone. Schedule a diagnostic evaluation for infertility online or by calling the Urology Specialist Group office nearest you today.