Male Factor Infertility - What to Do about it?!
Updated: Apr 11
Male factor infertility can be caused by a variety of factors such as low sperm count, poor sperm motility, abnormal sperm morphology, and other medical conditions. The treatment for male factor infertility depends on the underlying cause, but there are several interventions that have been shown to be effective. Here are some of the best interventions for male factor infertility based on research:
Lifestyle changes: Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and obesity have been linked to male infertility. Studies have shown that making positive lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and losing weight can improve semen quality and increase the chances of conception.
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART): ART is a group of fertility treatments that include in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and other techniques. These treatments can help overcome male factor infertility by directly injecting sperm into the egg or by selecting the best quality sperm for fertilization.
Medications: Certain medications can be used to treat male infertility. For example, clomiphene citrate is a medication that can help increase testosterone levels and improve sperm production in men with low sperm counts.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be needed to correct conditions such as varicoceles, which are enlarged veins in the scrotum that can cause low sperm count and poor sperm motility.
Nutritional supplements: Some studies have suggested that certain nutritional supplements such as antioxidants, folic acid, and zinc can improve semen quality and increase the chances of conception.
It's important to note that the effectiveness of these interventions varies depending on the underlying cause of male factor infertility. Therefore, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate treatment & create a plan to help you achieve the pregnancy & family you desire.
References:
Showell MG, Mackenzie-Proctor R, Jordan V, Hart RJ. Antioxidants for male subfertility. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Mar 2;3(3):CD007411. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007411.pub5.
Pentyala S, Lee J, Sikka SC. The potential role of antioxidants in improving male infertility. J Androl. 2012 May-Jun;33(3):317-25. doi: 10.2164/jandrol.111.014373.
Mulhall JP. Evaluation and management of male infertility. J Urol. 2018 Mar;199(3):631-641. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2017.09.110.
Jungwirth A, Diemer T, Kopa Z, Krausz C, Minhas S, Tournaye H. Male infertility. European Association of Urology. 2021. Available from: https://uroweb.org/guideline/male-infertility/.
Amer M, Ateyah A, Hany R, Zohdy W. Prospective comparative study between clomiphene citrate and testosterone gel replacement therapy in hypogonadal men. J Sex Med. 2010 Nov;7(11):3834-48. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01967.x.