Top Causes of Male Infertility
It is not uncommon for a couple to assume that it is a female infertility issue when they cannot conceive. However, male infertility accounts for 20 percent of all couples struggling with fertility issues. If you are having difficulty conceiving it is important to learn about the common causes of male infertility and to visit a fertility specialist in your city to learn about potential treatment options.
Varicocele
The most common cause of male infertility is a condition called varicocele. In fact, varicocele accounts for 40 percent of all fertility problems in men. This condition occurs when the veins in the scrotum become enlarged. The enlargement of the veins leads to an increase of temperature, and that affects the production and quality of sperm. This problem can be corrected with surgery.
Cryptorchidism
When a man’s testicles do not properly descend the medical term for this is called cryptorchidism. This problem can lead to male infertility, particularly if both of the testicles are affected by the problem. This problem occurs at birth and it can be corrected by surgery in most cases, but often it resolves itself on its own.
Anti-Sperm Antibodies
For some men their problem with fertility isn’t with the amount of sperm they produce, it’s with the sperm itself. Male infertility can also be caused by anti-bodies that kill sperm before it can fertilize an egg. Some men release this anti-body in their semen along with their sperm.
Retrograde Ejaculation
Another common cause of male infertility is called retrograde ejaculation. When a male has this problem he ejaculates backwards. In other words, rather than the semen being released outward, it is released backwards into the bladder. This is typically caused by a previous surgery, but it can also be caused by improperly functioning nerves or muscles in the bladder. One common symptom or sign of this condition would be cloudy urine.
