
Many people assume infertility indicates a problem with the female reproductive system, but in actuality, men and women are affected by infertility at similar rates. Your doctor will carefully review all test and examination results to see if they indicate a male fertility problem.
There are many reasons why men may have trouble conceiving, including:
- Problems with sperm concentration, motility, and shape
- Existing medical conditions that affect sperm production or cause duct obstructions
- Unable to swim or abnormal sperm that have trouble fertilizing a female egg
A range of options are available to treat these issues.
For some people, the reason for male infertility may be unclear—called unexplained infertility. In these cases, your doctor may recommend advanced fertility treatment with assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures such as in-vitro fertilization.
What men may hear from their doctor
8 other causes of male infertility
Male infertility treatments, explained
Fortunately, many causes of male infertility can be addressed through medicine, surgery, and fertility treatment options, bringing men one step closer to fatherhood. Treatments include:
- Surgery
Using surgery, doctors can fix blockages or function, repair varicose veins, reverse vasectomies, or retrieve sperm from other parts of the male reproductive system. After the procedure, some men may still need additional fertility treatment in order to conceive. - Antibiotics
If there’s an infection in the reproductive system, treatments like antibiotics may be used, though fertility may not always be restored. - Assisted reproductive technology (ART)
In ART treatments like in-vitro fertilization, sperm is collected from ejaculation or surgical extraction before being introduced to an egg for conception. - Hormonal treatment
Though more common in women, hormonal treatments—including medicines and surgery—may be used in men with low testosterone, abnormal hormone levels, or unexplained infertility. - Surgical sperm extraction
Your doctor may recommend this if there is little or no sperm in the semen. Depending on the type of procedure, doctors extract individual sperm from fluid or tissue. - Vibrostimulation or electroejaculation
Encourages ejaculation via vibrations (vibrostimulation) or stimulation of the pelvic nerves in the rectum (electroejaculation)
Everything you need to know about male fertility, from diagnosis to treatment.