Male Fertility

Struggling to fall pregnant can be frustrating and distressing for couples. Infertility is defined as being unable to conceive after 12 months of unprotected regular sexual intercourse, and can be due to a variety of factors. Male infertility contributes to approximately half of infertility situations, whether as the sole factor or in combination with infertility concerns with your female partner.

Dr Simon Nothman is an experienced male fertility specialist who can guide you through the process of identifying the underlying causes of your infertility concerns. With the right treatment, you may be able to optimise your fertility and improve your chances of achieving a pregnancy.

Causes of low male fertility

Male factor infertility can be due to a variety of reasons, including:

• A blockage to the passage of sperm, such as from congenital abnormalities, injury, or vasectomy
• Poor sperm quality, leading to an inability for sperm to reach the egg and penetrate its surface for fertilisation
• Low sperm count, meaning there is an insufficient amount of sperm in each ejaculate to enable conception; in some situations, there may be a complete absence of sperm
• Functional problems such as erectile dysfunction, abnormal ejaculation, or problems with the testicles
• Hormonal abnormalities affecting sperm production

Some medical conditions such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis can indirectly contribute to male infertility through causing problems such as erectile dysfunction.

Certain lifestyle choices and environmental conditions have also been shown to impact male fertility. Tobacco smoking, excessive alcohol intake, recreational drugs, and toxins such as certain heavy metals, pesticides, and plastic compounds can impact fertility in men through disrupting hormones or directly affecting sperm and semen.

Treatment for male fertility challenges

Though causes for infertility cannot be identified in about 10% of couples trying to conceive, your fertility specialist will be able to organise a series of tests to investigate any underlying reasons for male infertility. Depending on what these tests reveal, you may be offered:

• Recommendations on lifestyle changes
• Surgery
• Hormone therapy
• Assisted reproductive technologies, such as IVF (in vitro fertilisation), ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), or IUI (intrauterine insemination)

If using your own sperm to fertilise your partner’s egg is not an option, you may consider donor sperm.

Your preconception health affects the health of your future children

Optimising your overall health before and during trying for a pregnancy not only improves your chances of conceiving but also has benefits for your future children. By taking care of your own body through healthy lifestyle choices, studies have shown that you can have a positive impact on your future offspring through:

• Improved sperm quality and subsequently reducing the risk of birth defects and developmental abnormalities
• Reduced risk of poor mental health in your children
• Reduced risk of pregnancy complications and preterm birth

Male fertility can be a sign of future health

There is increasing evidence that male infertility may be associated with an elevated risk of future diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disease such as multiple sclerosis, metabolic disease such as diabetes, and cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure. The same genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that impact sperm health may also be responsible for these medical conditions.

Natural methods to improve male fertility

Certain lifestyle modifications can increase your chances of conceiving naturally. You may be able to improve your sperm quality and overall reproductive health through: