Male Infertility

Male infertility refers to the inability of a man to impregnate a female partner despite regular, unprotected sexual intercourse for an extended period of time (usually around a year).

Some of the common causes of male infertility include –

• Low Sperm Count (Oligospermia) - Semen contains fewer sperm than normal. It can be caused by various factors such as hormonal imbalances, infections, or genetic issues.
• Poor Sperm Motility (Asthenospermia)- Sperm have difficulty moving or swimming, they may struggle to reach and fertilize the egg.
• Abnormal Sperm Morphology (Teratospermia) - Sperm with unusual shapes or abnormalities might not be able to penetrate the egg effectively.
• Absent Sperm Count (Azoospermia) - Semen does not contain any sperms. It can be obstructive or non-obstructive.

Treatment of Male Infertility

There are several treatment options in case of male infertility

Medications 

• Hormonal medications
• Antibiotics
• Antioxidants

Surgery 

• Varicoceles repair
• Correction of obstructions in the sperm transport, Vasectomy reversal
• Retrieval of sperm from the reproductive tract by using techniques like
  1. Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA) - TESA involves the use of a fine needle to extract sperm directly from the testicles
  2. Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA) - PESA is similar to TESA, but the needle is inserted into the epididymis, a small organ located on the back of the testicles where sperm mature and are stored
  3. Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) - TESE involves the surgical removal of a small testicular tissue, which is then examined under a microscope to locate sperm
  4. Microdissection Testicular Sperm Extraction (Micro-TESE) - Micro-TESE is a more advanced form of TESE. It involves the use of an operating microscope (on OT table) to identify and extract small amounts of testicular tissue that are most likely to contain sperm. Micro-TESE has a higher success rate in finding viable sperm compared to traditional TESE.
  5. Electroejaculation - This technique is used for men who are unable to ejaculate voluntarily due to spinal cord injuries or other medical conditions. It involves applying electrical stimulation to the nerves in the rectum to induce ejaculation. The ejaculated semen is then collected for further use.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) - These procedures assist in achieving pregnancy by using sperm and eggs outside the body. Common ART procedures include 

1. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) – It is the process involving the direct insertion of washed prepared sperm into the woman's uterus at the time of ovulation to increase the chances of fertilization
2. In vitro fertilization (IVF) – It is the process involving eggs are removed from the woman's ovaries and fertilized with sperm in an embryology laboratory setting and resulting embryos are then transferred into the woman's uterus.
3. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) - This technique is often used in conjunction with IVF in case of abnormal sperm parameters. It involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg to assist with fertilization.

In all cases, the treatment recommended will depend on the underlying cause of male infertility. It is important to meet the fertility specialist or urologist who specializes in reproductive medicine to determine the most appropriate treatment option for an individual's specific situation.