Male infertility treatment

Male infertility is a violation of reproductive function, which makes it difficult or impossible to conceive. In about half of cases, difficulties with conception are caused by impaired male fertility. There is a broad range of treatment options available to  help you achieve a positive result, but it is important to conduct timely diagnostics and determine the appropriate treatment.

First of all, the doctor should determines the cause of infertility in men. Often the inability to conceive a child is caused by a combination of pathological factors, therefore, a comprehensive examination, a history of both partners is necessary. The most common causes of male infertility may include:

• abnormalities of reproductive organs;

• inflammation and infections of the genital and urinary tract;

• disruption of the endocrine system;

• the quantity and quality of sperm;

• genetic abnormalities;

• immunological factors.

Investigating infertility requires tests for both partners. At the first stage of physical examination of men, a doctor conducts an anamnesis and identifies risk factors for infertility. The main analysis for assessing the male reproductive status is semen analysis. This allows you to determine the number of sperm contained in semen, their motility, viability and morphology. Methods for diagnosing infertility in men are created and improved every day. However, this analysis is still considered the most effective and accurate. Also, diagnosing male infertility may involve: 

• Genetic testing. This may be done to determine whether a patient has a genetic defect causing infertility.
• Blood tests. The tests are used to assess hormone levels.
• Testicular biopsy. A small portion of testicle and microscope are used to see if the man is able to father a child.
• Ultrasound scans. The main task of scans is to take pictures of the reproductive organs.

If sperm abnormalities are found, the consultation with a reproductive specialist is essential. Sometimes, the use of medications may help increase testicular function, including sperm production and quality. In some cases, surgical intervention may be required (for example, with varicocele). However, if conservative or surgical treatment does not bring positive results, alternative fertility methods are recommended. These may include:

• Artificial insemination
• In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
• Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Apart from this, there are actions that men can take to decrease the possibility of infertility. Some of them are: 

• Avoiding heavy or frequent use of alcohol and tobacco
• Avoiding hot baths or saunas
• Establishing a good personal hygiene routine
• Avoiding exposure to toxins.