Male Infertility and IVF: Understanding Treatment Options

Male infertility and IVF are now common topics for couples who are trying to have a baby. Many people still do not understand male infertility well. It is not just a woman’s problem. Men can also have trouble making a baby.

If you or your partner is facing this problem, you are not alone. Many couples around the world are going through the same thing. The good news is that modern treatments like IVF can help. Even if a man has a low sperm count, there is still hope.

In this blog, we will talk about:

What causes male infertility
How doctors find out the problem
How IVF and ICSI can help you become parents

Let’s begin with understanding what male infertility really means.

Causes of Male Infertility

Male infertility means a man has problems that make it hard or impossible to make a woman pregnant. There are many different reasons why this can happen. Sometimes, it is because the sperm is not healthy or there is a problem with the man’s body. Other times, it could be because of habits or things around him. Understanding the causes helps doctors find the right treatment.

Let’s learn about the most common causes of male infertility:

1. Low Sperm Count

A healthy man’s semen usually has many millions of sperm. If the number of sperm is less than normal, this is called low sperm count or oligospermia. When there are fewer sperm, it is harder for one sperm to find and fertilize the egg.

Low sperm count can happen because of many reasons, such as infections, injuries, or health problems. Sometimes men don’t know they have a low sperm count until they try to have a baby.

2. Poor Sperm Movement (Motility)

Sperm need to swim well to reach the egg inside the woman’s body. When sperm move slowly or do not swim straight, this is called poor motility. Imagine trying to run a race, but you are very slow or keep going the wrong way. Sperm with poor movement may not be able to reach and fertilize the egg. This can happen if sperm are weak or damaged because of illness, smoking, or too much heat.

3. Abnormal Sperm Shape (Morphology)

Sperm have a special shape — they have a head, a middle part, and a tail. A normal shape helps sperm swim better and enter the egg. Sometimes, sperm are shaped differently or have problems with their tail or heads. This is called abnormal sperm morphology. If many sperm look abnormal, it can be hard for fertilization to happen because these sperm might not work properly.

4. No Sperm in Semen (Azoospermia)

In some men, there are no sperm at all in the semen. This is called azoospermia.

There are two main reasons for this:

The man’s body is not making sperm.
There is a blockage in the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the outside.

If sperm cannot come out with the semen, pregnancy cannot happen naturally.

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If you’re planning fertility treatment, it’s important to understand what IVF treatment is. Is it safe to do IVF? before making a decision.

5. Hormone Problems

Hormones are special chemicals in the body that control many functions. Certain hormones tell the testicles to make sperm. If a man has low levels of hormones like testosterone, FSH, or LH, his body may not make enough sperm. This is called a hormonal imbalance. Hormone problems can happen because of diseases, injuries, or sometimes for no clear reason.

6. Varicocele (Swollen Veins in the Scrotum)

Varicocele is when veins in the scrotum (the pouch that holds the testicles) become swollen, like varicose veins in the legs. These swollen veins can make the testicles warmer than normal. High temperature hurts sperm production and quality. Varicocele is one of the most common causes of male infertility and can often be treated by surgery.

7. Infections

Infections in the reproductive system can damage sperm or block sperm flow. Examples include infections in the testicles, prostate gland, or tubes. Sometimes infections cause swelling or scarring. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia or gonorrhea can also cause infertility if not treated early.

8. Injuries or Surgeries

Injuries to the testicles or pelvis can hurt sperm production or block the sperm tubes. Some surgeries, like those for hernia repair or prostate problems, can accidentally damage sperm pathways. If sperm cannot travel from the testicles to the outside, pregnancy becomes difficult.

9. Lifestyle Habits

Certain daily habits can affect sperm health. These include:

Smoking cigarettes: It lowers sperm count and damages sperm.
Drinking alcohol: Heavy drinking reduces sperm quality.
Using drugs: Drugs like marijuana and cocaine harm sperm.
Being overweight or obese: Extra weight can lower testosterone and sperm count.
Stress and lack of sleep: These make hormone levels go down and affect sperm.
Wearing tight underwear or working near heat: Too much heat can hurt sperm production.

Changing these habits can improve fertility for many men.

10. Age

As men get older, sperm quality may go down. Older men tend to have lower sperm count and weaker sperm. This does not mean men cannot have children at an older age, but the chances of infertility increase.

How Doctors Find Male Infertility and Ways IVF Can Help

Doctors check both the man and the woman to find the cause. If the problem is with the man, doctors do some tests to understand why he cannot make a baby easily. After finding the cause, some treatments can help, including IVF. Let’s see how doctors find male infertility and how IVF treatments can help:

How Doctors Check for Male Infertility

Medical History and Physical Exam
The doctor will ask questions about health, lifestyle, medicines, and any problems like injuries or infections. Then, the doctor will do a physical check to look at the testicles and other parts.
Semen Analysis
This is the most important test. The man gives a semen sample, which is checked in the lab. The lab looks at:

How many sperm are there (count)
How well sperm swim (motility)
How the sperm looks (shape)
Whether sperm are present at all

Hormone Tests
Sometimes doctors check hormone levels with a blood test. Low or high hormones can affect sperm production.
Ultrasound Scan
If needed, the doctor may do an ultrasound to check the testicles or veins in the scrotum (for varicocele).
Genetic Tests
In some cases, doctors check for genetic problems that can cause infertility.

How IVF Helps Men with Infertility

IVF, or In Vitro Fertilization, is a process where the egg and sperm are joined outside the body, in a lab. This helps when natural fertilization is difficult. For male infertility, doctors may use a special IVF technique called ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). Here’s how it works:

One healthy sperm is picked by the doctor.
This sperm is directly injected into the egg.
This helps when sperm are few or don’t swim well.

ICSI has helped many couples have babies even when the man’s sperm count is very low or the sperm have trouble moving.

Sometimes, sperm are taken directly from the testicles with a minor surgery if there is no sperm in the semen.

Other Treatments Along with IVF

Before IVF, doctors may suggest other treatments like:

Medicines to fix hormone problems
Surgery to repair varicocele or blockages
Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, reducing alcohol, and eating healthily
Combining these with IVF increases the chance of success.

IVF Success and Male Infertility

IVF and ICSI have changed the way couples with male infertility can become parents. Success rates depend on many things, like the man’s sperm quality, the woman’s age, and overall health.

With good care and treatment, many couples can have healthy babies.

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At Urvara Fertility Centre, we know that male infertility is a common challenge many couples face when trying to have a baby. Our doctors carefully check sperm health and other important tests to understand the cause. We explain everything clearly so you can feel confident about your treatment.

If sperm count is low or sperm have trouble moving, we offer special treatments like IVF and ICSI. With ICSI, the best sperm is directly placed into the egg, helping to increase the chances of pregnancy. Sometimes, we also collect sperm through minor procedures if needed.

We believe every case is different, so our team creates a plan just for you. At Urvara, we provide care, support, and hope to help you become a father. You are not alone in this journey—we are with you every step of the way.

Conclusion

Male infertility can feel difficult and confusing, but you are not alone. Thanks to modern treatments like IVF and ICSI, many couples have found new hope to become parents. At Urvara Fertility Centre, we understand that every case is different. Our team works closely with you to find the best treatment plan for your needs.

With the right care, support, and advanced technology, male infertility can be managed successfully. If you are facing challenges with fertility, don’t lose hope. Reach out to experts who can guide you and help make your dream of having a family come true.