Male Reproductive System:
Common Male Fertility Problems
The male reproductive system is intricate. If just one thing is out of sync, the male may end up with a fertility problem that can make conception difficult to achieve.
It's not always the female that is the reason behind failure to achieve pregnancy, in fact about 30% of the time the cause of infertility comes from the male, this is why it's essential to both get check-ups to see where your fertility is at.
As always, if you are under the age of 35 and have tried unsuccessfully for a year to become pregnant, it's time for a fertility check-up.
If you are over the age of 35 and have tried unsuccessfully for the last six months, it's for both of you to get a fertility check-up.
Common Causes For Infertility In Men
See all the most common infertility issues
Below are some of the common causes for fertility problems in the male reproductive system. 
- the sperm needs to be healthy
- the sperm must be able to reach the semen for ejaculation
- enough sperm has to be in the semen
- the sperm must be shaped correctly and be able to move correctlySo not only does the sperm need to reach the egg, but it needs to be able to penetrate the egg, and then go on to fertilize it too!
If you have had a check-up and have come through without any known problems, perhaps your partner may have one or more of these problems hindering his fertility.
Like most fertility problems in women, you shouldn't panic, most problems have solutions!
Start by getting a sperm test to make sure it isn't a factor in your trouble trying to conceive.
Check out this video that will just give you a break-down of how the reproductive system works in males:
Blockages In The
Male Reproductive System
This is a major cause for fertility problems in men. Blockages can occur anywhere in the testes, tubes, or other reproductive structures necessary for good fertility.Your doctor or fertility specialist can conduct tests to see if you have any blockages.
Find Out About Blockages And Tips For Looking After The Testicles For Optimum Conception
Check out this great little video about common causes of infertility in men, like blockages:
Varicocele And The
Male Reproductive System
This is actually the most documented reason for fertility problems in men. It is a condition where the veins in the scrotum become enlarged causing abnormalities in temperature in the testis.
If sperm isn't just the right temperature it can be enough to adversely affect testosterone production. Even a difference of one degree can be enough to affect the ability to conceive.
There are surgical procedures available for this fertility problem. In fact research has shown the pregnancy rate for men who have had this problem become three times more successful in pregnancy after the procedure is performed.
Check out this video to see how to diagnose a varicocele, recognize signs and symptoms, and learn about treatment, if you think you might have one:
Irregular sperm And The
Male Reproductive System
Abnormalities in sperm can be caused by many different things, and some men may have even been born with a problem (or a congenital birth defect). Sperm may have problems if it is:
- low in volume
- not the right size, shape or appearance (morphology)
- doesn't move correctly (motility)
- even things like its ability to penetrate and the way it interacts with cervical mucus can affect conception.
Click Here To Find Out More About Getting A Sperm Test And Diagnosing Abnormalities in Sperm
This video describes what abnormal semen and low sperm count is and how it affects your fertility:
Sperm allergy And The
Male Reproductive System
Sometimes it is possible to be allergic to the sperm or semen. A man can even be allergic to his own sperm or semen!In this unfortunate event there are ways to overcome having a reaction. There's more about this on our page which explores this topic in much greater depth.
Find Out About Having Semen Allergy And How To Overcome It
Here's a great video about a couple who suffer from sperm allergy, you might be able to relate to this story if you have this problem:
Unexplained Infertility And The
Male Reproductive System
Men can also have unexplained infertility. That is, so far there is no known reason as to why they are having trouble impregnating their partner.
You can find out more about what you can do if you think you or your partner have unexplained infertility, and find out what steps you can take.
The biggest problem in not having a diagnosis, is not knowing what course of action to take to resolve your infertility problems.
Find Out More About Unexplained Infertility And How It Affects Conception
This video explains how to identify the real cause of infertility when you have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility:
Combination fertility problems And The
Male Reproductive System
However, when you find you are still having trouble getting pregnant because there are a number of unknown reasons for your infertility... well that can seem just plain cruel!
Still there are many couples out there with combined infertility problems that become pregnant everyday. It may not be just you, a lot of the times in relationships both people may have a problem or two that hinders conception. Don't be disheartened, your journey is just taking a bit longer than it is for others.
Learn in more detail what you can do to overcome and address combined fertility problems.
This video talks about how you can find out how to overcome combined infertility problems:
Infection And The
Male Reproductive System
Infection can also prevent fertility. If your body is putting all its energy into fighting an infection, or if the infection is winning the battle and ravaging your body, your body probably isn't really in "conception mode."
See if an infection is left unattended, it can spread through your whole body and this is when a lot of damage can be done, if left untreated.
Particularly the infections that can affect your fertility are the ones that may come into contact with your reproductive tract - that includes the prostate, epididymis and the testes.
Just remember most infections come... and go. So usually it's only temporary. Typically you shouldn't become sterile over it. But you must be careful of sexually transmitted diseases, these ones can do some real damage to your fertility or ability to impregnate.
Read more about STDs and infections and what you can do to address them if you feel you may have one.
This video is about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and infertility and how it affects you and what you can do:
Retrograde Ejaculation And The
Male Reproductive System
Retrogade ejaculation happens when the muscles in walls of the
bladder don't function properly during orgasm which forces the the sperm
backward into the bladder, instead of forward into the urethra. Usually
sperm quality is compromised.Here is a video about someone who suffered retrograde ejaculation, and what they did to seek treatment:
Health, Lifestyle and Other Factors And The
Male Reproductive System
If you are skeptical about the smoking part, I am here to tell you it does make a difference quitting.
My husband smoked more than a packet a day, after a sperm analysis they discovered his sperm had poor movement, was abnormally shaped and I had a less than 5% chance of being impregnated from him naturally.
Six months on, and smoke-free for six months he just got the all clear from the doctors, he has healthy sperm, and even better, a high sperm count!
Your sperm takes 3 months to create new ones in your body, so it's never too early to start changing things if you are having trouble impregnating your partner.
To find out more about lifestyle changes, you can go to our top tips to conceive page where you will find advice about diet, exercise, and discover the benefits of cutting back on alcohol intake, eliminating smoking and eating healthily.
The pay-off is more than just increasing your chances of becoming a parent, you are also giving yourself quality of life back.
Environmental Factors And The
Male Reproductive System
Sometimes our environment, where we live, where we work, can all play a big role in your health. For example, my husband works in fiberglass, and it's not the best to be breathing those fibers in, but then again, it's how he makes his living, so there's some things you can't avoid, so instead he tries to manage the situation better.
For instance, he will wear safety masks and full fiberglass suits and goggles to avoid inhalation or fibers touching his skin.
Really, if you or your partner are trying to conceive, it is best to avoid as many chemicals as possible.
There have even been reports that food additives, pesticides, vehicle exhaust fumes, MSG, coffee and even artificial sweeteners can actually have an impact on being able to conceive for some people.
Testicular Problems
Find Out More About Your Testicles Role In Conception.
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