What is male infertility?

Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system. It makes a person unable to have children. It can affect a man, a woman, or both. Male infertility means that a man has a problem with his reproductive system. It means you can't start a pregnancy with your female partner.

Gender words are used here to talk about anatomy and health risk. Please use this information in a way that works best for you and your provider as you talk about your care.

What causes male infertility?

Natural male reproduction depends on several things.

You must be able to:

• Make healthy sperm that can fertilize the egg

• Have an erection and ejaculate so the sperm reaches the egg

Problems with either of these may mean you have infertility. Below are some of the main causes of male infertility.

Who is at risk for male infertility?

You may be more likely to have male infertility if you have had:

• Past inflammation of the prostate or past genital infections

• Injury to or twisting (torsion) of the testicles

• Early or late puberty

• Genital exposure to high temperatures

• Hernia repair

• Undescended testicles

• Diagnosed immune condition in which you make antibodies against your own sperm

• Genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis or hemochromatosis

You may also be at risk if you take certain prescription medicines. These include medicines for ulcers, psoriasis, depression, and high blood pressure.

What are the symptoms of male infertility?

You may have male infertility if your female partner has not become pregnant after you have tried for one year. This means one year of regular sex without any birth control.

Your healthcare provider will test both you and your partner to find the cause of infertility.

How is male infertility diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will review your health history and do a physical exam. Although it is appropriate for the initial infertility evaluation to be done by your primary care physician, if the test results are abnormal, you should be referred to a fertility specialist.

Other tests for male infertility may include:

• Sperm count (semen analysis). At least 2 semen samples are taken on separate days. Your provider will check the semen and sperm for many things. These include how much semen you make, how uniform it is, and how acidic it is. Your provider will also look at how many sperm you make, how well they move, and what shape they are.

• Blood tests. Your provider may use blood tests to check hormone levels and rule out other problems.

• Other tests. Your provider does these tests to find the cause of sperm defects or health problems of the male reproductive system. For instance, imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, may be used to look at your testicles, blood vessels, and structures inside the scrotum.

• Testicular biopsy. If semen analysis shows that you have only a few sperm or no sperm, your provider may remove a small piece of tissue (biopsy) from each testicle. The sample will be checked under a microscope.

How is male infertility treated?

Treatment depends on what is causing your infertility.

Key points about male infertility

• Male infertility means a man is not able to start a pregnancy with his female partner after trying for 1 year with regular sex and no birth control.

• Male infertility can have many causes. You may not make enough sperm or healthy sperm. You may have a genetic problem, such as cystic fibrosis. You may have a blockage in your genital tract.

• You may be more likely to have male infertility if you have had genital infections, injury to your testicles, or early or late puberty.

• Treatment depends on what is causing your infertility. Treatments include artificial insemination, medicines, and surgery.

• Infertility can cause stress in a relationship. Ask your healthcare provider about counseling if you and your partner need support.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.

• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.

• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.

• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.

• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

• Know how you can contact your healthcare provider if you have questions, especially after office hours or on weekends.