Male infertility is a significant factor in many couples’ struggles to conceive. At Yashoda IVF, we offer comprehensive evaluation and advanced treatment options to address male infertility, helping couples achieve their dream of parenthood.

Male Infertility Treatment

Male infertility is a key factor in many couples’ difficulty conceiving and is defined as the inability of a male to achieve pregnancy with a fertile female after one year or more of regular, unprotected intercourse. It affects a considerable number of couples, so understanding the causes, diagnosis, and treatment options is essential for effective management and for moving closer to parenthood.

Understanding Male Infertility: Causes, Diagnosis and Advanced Treatments

The reasons for male infertility are diverse and usually relate to problems with sperm production, sperm function, or the delivery of sperm. Identifying the underlying cause is the first and most important step in deciding the right treatment.

One major parameter is sperm count. A low sperm count (oligospermia) means fewer sperm than normal in the ejaculate, and in some men, there may be no sperm at all (azoospermia), both of which significantly reduce the chance of fertilization.

The foundation of male fertility evaluation is a semen analysis, which measures sperm count, motility, morphology, semen volume, pH, and signs of infection such as white blood cells. Any abnormality in these values can contribute to infertility.

Hormonal imbalance also plays a crucial role, as hormones like testosterone, FSH, and LH are vital for sperm production and maturation. Disturbances in hormones produced by the hypothalamus, pituitary, or testes can disrupt spermatogenesis and lead to infertility.

Healthy testicular function is essential for normal sperm production. Conditions such as varicocele, testicular infections, undescended testes, injury, toxin exposure, or genetic problems can damage the testes and impair sperm output.

Overall male reproductive health depends on proper functioning of the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate, and urethra. Blockages, infections, ejaculatory problems like retrograde ejaculation, and systemic conditions such as diabetes or cystic fibrosis can all negatively affect fertility.

Lifestyle factors including smoking, high alcohol intake, recreational drugs, obesity, excessive heat exposure, and certain chemicals further worsen sperm quality and should be addressed as part of treatment.

Advanced Male Fertility Treatment

When simpler measures are not enough, advanced male fertility procedures provide options for men with complex issues, especially those with severely low or absent sperm in the ejaculate. These methods usually involve surgically retrieving sperm from the reproductive tract and using them with IVF and ICSI.

  • Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE): A minor surgical procedure where a small incision is made in the scrotum and testicular tissue is removed, then processed in the lab to find usable sperm for IVF/ICSI.
  • Testicular Fine Needle Aspiration (TFNA): A less invasive technique that uses a fine needle to aspirate sperm directly from the testis through the skin, mainly for diagnosis and sometimes for sperm retrieval in obstructive azoospermia.
  • Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA): A needle is inserted through the scrotal skin into the epididymis to aspirate sperm, often used when a blockage prevents sperm from entering the ejaculate.
  • Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA): A microsurgical procedure performed under magnification, where an incision in the scrotum allows direct visualization and aspiration of sperm from epididymal tubules, usually yielding more and better-quality sperm in obstructive azoospermia.

Treatments Available – Medicines for Male Infertility

Along with surgical techniques, several medications can treat underlying medical issues and improve semen parameters in selected patients.

  • Hormonal therapy: Drugs such as clomiphene citrate, hCG, and FSH injections may be prescribed to correct specific hormonal imbalances, stimulate testosterone production, and support sperm production, with doses tailored to each man’s hormone profile.
  • Antioxidant supplements: Vitamins and micronutrients like vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and coenzyme Q10 may be recommended to counter oxidative stress and support sperm motility, morphology, and DNA integrity, though evidence is still evolving.
  • Antibiotics: When infections in the reproductive tract are identified, targeted antibiotics are used to clear the infection, which can improve semen quality and overall reproductive health.
  • Anti-estrogens: Medicines such as clomiphene citrate or tamoxifen can block estrogen action in some men, increasing testosterone levels and potentially improving sperm count and other parameters.
  • Dopamine agonists: In cases of high prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia), drugs like bromocriptine or cabergoline help reduce prolactin, which may restore normal testosterone levels and improve sperm quality.

Male infertility is a complex condition with many potential causes, so consultation with a fertility specialist is essential to understand each individual’s situation and select the most appropriate treatment to optimise reproductive health and fertility potential.

Why Choose Yashoda IVF for Male Fertility Treatment?

Choosing Yashoda IVF Centre for male fertility care means being treated by experienced specialists who focus on the unique challenges of male infertility. The team offers comprehensive diagnostics, including advanced semen analysis and hormonal evaluation, to accurately identify root causes and design personalised treatment plans that may include lifestyle guidance, medical therapy, surgical sperm retrieval techniques like TESE and PESA, and advanced IVF procedures.

With modern facilities and a patient-centred approach in Mumbai and surrounding locations, the centre is committed to providing ethical, effective solutions to help men and couples achieve the goal of fatherhood.

Frequently Asked Questions

Male infertility in a fertile female after one year or more of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. It can stem from issues with sperm production, sperm function, or the ability to deliver sperm effectively. This condition affects a significant number of couples worldwide seeking to conceive.

Common causes include issues with sperm production (low count, poor motility, abnormal shape), blockages in the reproductive tract preventing sperm delivery, and hormonal imbalances affecting sperm development. Other contributing factors can be varicocele, infections, genetic disorders, and lifestyle choices like smoking and excessive alcohol. Identifying the specific cause is crucial for effective treatment.

Diagnosis typically begins with a thorough medical history and physical examination. A semen analysis is the primary diagnostic test, evaluating sperm count, motility, and morphology. Further investigations may include hormonal blood tests, genetic testing, and imaging studies of the reproductive organs to pinpoint the underlying cause of infertility.