Fertility for men

What it is

Fertility is often treated as a women's topic, but it takes two. Male factors alone cause infertility in 20 to 30% of couples, and they contribute in another 20 to 30%, so roughly half of couples with infertility have a male factor involved.¹

Myth: Infertility is usually the woman's problem.

It's a very common assumption, partly because women do most of the testing and treatment. But a problem with sperm is involved in about half of couples with infertility.¹ That's why both partners should be checked from the start.

How it's checked

A man's evaluation starts with his medical and reproductive history and a semen analysis, which measures how many sperm there are and how well they move.¹ If the results are abnormal, the next step is a who specializes in male infertility. A very low count can lead to hormone or genetic tests.¹

Common causes

Varicocele, enlarged veins in the scrotum¹
Blockages, most often from a past vasectomy¹
Hormone or genetic problems¹
Problems with ejaculation¹
Some medicines¹

Many of these can be treated.

Testosterone and sperm

Taking testosterone can stop the body from making sperm. Production usually comes back after stopping.¹ Anyone trying to conceive should tell their doctor about any testosterone or hormone use.

Age

Men keep making sperm throughout life.² But fertility still changes: in their mid-to-late 40s, men's sperm changes in ways that can cause fertility problems and raise the chance of genetic and developmental problems in children.³

When to get checked

The same timing applies to couples: after 12 months of trying if the partner with ovaries is under 35, or 6 months if 35 or older.¹ Go sooner with a history of testicle problems, cancer treatment, or trouble with erection or ejaculation.⁴

Recap

Male factors alone cause 20 to 30% of infertility, and contribute to another 20 to 30%.
A semen analysis is the first test. Abnormal results lead to a urologist who specializes in fertility.
Causes include varicocele, blockages, hormone and genetic problems, ejaculation problems and some medicines.
Taking testosterone can stop sperm production. It usually returns after stopping.
Men's fertility declines later, with changes in sperm in the mid-to-late 40s.

Words to know 4

male factor infertility	Infertility caused or partly caused by a problem with sperm or its delivery.
semen analysis	A lab test of a semen sample that measures sperm count, movement and shape.
urologist	A doctor who treats the urinary tract and male reproductive organs.
varicocele	Enlarged veins in the scrotum, a common treatable cause of male infertility.