The process of the birth of a new life can be found in the biology textbook. However, not a single chapter of the manual says how difficult it is for a male reproductive cell to reach a woman’s gamete. If this task is not feasible for sperm, infertility may be suspected.
General information about the disease
Sometimes partners who live together and have regular sexual contacts cannot conceive a child. Why are circumstances like this? In many cases, the reason lies in violations of the female genital area. However, it happens that this situation is caused by a disorder in the activity of certain organs in representatives of the stronger sex. According to modern research, about 20% of couples worldwide have infertility.
Half of them show some form of male infertility. Speaking about this condition, they mean the inability to procreate. This phenomenon may occur due to a decrease in the number of germ cells in seminal fluid, their irregular shape. Sometimes it appears due to inflammation of the organs of the reproductive system with acute or chronic course, due to chemical exposure. The causes of male infertility are described in sections of the article.
Relevance of the problem
A similar diagnosis is made to partners who cannot conceive a child during the year, but at the same time they regularly engage in sexual contacts and are not protected.
This disease is investigated in detail by doctors in various countries of the world. Numerous medical care programs are being developed for spouses who, as a result of certain reasons, cannot become parents.
According to statistics, infertility is most common in women. For a long time, little was known about male infertility, since this problem was not given due attention. Often, representatives of the stronger sex refuse to discuss this issue with the doctor and undergo the necessary diagnostics.
Nevertheless, the consequence of this reason is one childless marriage out of five.
And although in reality there are much more men suffering from this disease than the research results show, the situation cannot be called a dead end.
Properly selected treatment allows you to cope with the problem. Thanks to modern examination methods and drugs, you can significantly increase the chances of conception. It must be remembered that the causes of male infertility are most often due to specific factors. These are discussed in the following sections.
The most common premises
Doctors explain the phenomenon of infertility in the stronger sex by the following circumstances:
- Violations of sexual functions.
- Defects in the development of organs of the reproductive system, mechanical damage.
- Infections, STDs.
- Harmful effects of radioactive substances, drugs, toxic compounds.
- Dilation of the vessels of the inguinal canal.
- Metabolic disorders.
- Problems in the functioning of the immune system.
Disorders caused by defects in germ cells and reproductive organs
The production of male gametes is carried out using a special site, which is located in the diencephalon.
Emotional upheaval, constant worries, hard work can lead to a sharp decrease in the number of sperm in the seminal fluid or to their complete absence.
Sometimes male infertility occurs as a result of defects of a congenital nature. Due to such diseases, the function of the reproductive organs is impaired. The conditions of this type include the incorrect structure of the testicles (omission or absence), insufficient production of hormones necessary for the normal functioning of the reproductive system.
The influence of microorganisms on the possibility of conception in men
Doctors often have to examine patients who are faced with the inability to procreate.
One of the most common causes of infertility in the stronger sex is the presence of infection. Fungi, bacteria or other microorganisms can cause such diseases. Various STDs (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and so on) extremely negatively affect the possibility of conception. The causative agents of these infections contribute to increased production of white blood cells and gluing of gametes. As a result of this process, the seminal fluid becomes too thick. Doctors categorically do not recommend trying to cope with such diseases on their own. The uncontrolled use of strong drugs can worsen an already unfavorable situation. If you have sexually transmitted infections, you should consult a specialist.
Other conditions that may reduce the chance of conception
Speaking about the male factor of infertility, it should be noted that this problem can be caused not only by the incorrect structure of the reproductive organs or various microorganisms. Genital disorders can occur due to such phenomena as mumps (transferred in a minor age), tuberculosis, asthma, pneumonia, and malaria. These processes impair sperm production, the viability of these cells. Therefore, the chances of conception, as a rule, are significantly reduced.
Difficulties with procreation are often found in people who underwent surgery on the genitals and bladder, inguinal region. Sometimes, patients with this diagnosis become men with diseases of the VES (thyroid dysfunction, diabetes). One of the factors preventing conception is a disorder of sexual function (premature discharge of seminal fluid, difficulty in trying to make intimate contact).
In the presence of these violations, it is recommended to consult a sex therapist.
Harmful effects impairing the ability to procreate
Abuse of bath procedures and a sauna, as well as prolonged exposure to cold, can lead to male infertility. Other factors have a negative effect, for example:
- Associated with professional activities (the negative impact of chemical compounds that a person has to face in the process of work).
- Intoxication with medicines (including drugs that suppress the activity of microorganisms).
- Harmful habits (smoking, excessive drinking, drug addiction).
- Exposure to radiation.
- Chemotherapy, taking hormones.
- Intense sports activities.
- Narrow, squeezing clothes (trousers, underwear).
There are various types of impaired fertility in men. They are described in the next section.
Varieties of infertility
This disease is divided into the following categories:
- Secretory form (occurs due to a decrease in the production of male gametes, often associated with an imbalance of hormones).
- Excretory disturbance (when, as a result of structural defects, infections, injuries or surgical interventions, seminal fluid cannot go outside).
- Autoimmune type (destruction of sperm cells by the cells of the body).
- Relative infertility (this word denotes a condition in which even after conducting medical research it is still not possible to find the cause of difficulties with conception).
Doctors also classify infertility as primary (when the man was not originally able to continue his gender) and secondary (if the disease or mechanical damage contributed to the problem).
Surveys
As a rule, patients do not experience any discomfort. The only reason they turn to the doctor is the inability to conceive. If male infertility is suspected, the doctor prescribes a series of laboratory tests and medical measures to identify an accurate diagnosis. Experts say that it is necessary to conduct surveys for both partners. The list of these procedures includes the following:
- Ultrasound of the reproductive system.
- Scanning vessels of the testicles.
- Laboratory tests of urine and blood (for the content of hormones, the presence of pathogenic microbes).
- Studies to determine possible malfunctions of the immune system.
- Taking a sample of genital tissue - carried out before the IVF procedure for male infertility.
- Investigation of seminal fluid.
The inability to conceive for a year of regular intimate life without contraception does not mean that the reason for the violation lies in the spouse's body. Often difficulties with procreation arise due to the presence of sexual problems in the wife. Diagnosis of male infertility involves a consultation of a urologist and a gynecologist. A thorough examination is needed. Sometimes the version of fertility problems in the spouse is not confirmed. In this case, his partner is sent for additional analyzes.
Male Infertility Treatment
As a rule, this condition can be effectively dealt with. Medical measures for the difficulties of conception are different. In some situations, experts recommend taking medication, in others - surgery or in vitro fertilization. Therapy depends on the type of disease and the factors that cause it. As medicines, patients are prescribed hormones, as well as substances that improve the body's production of gametes.
Doctors often prescribe vitamin supplements and herbal preparations. In case of male infertility, reviews of married couples indicate that such funds, if applied comprehensively, are very effective. If the patient has an infection, drugs are recommended that allow you to deal with this phenomenon. An important role is played by nutritious nutrition, rich in proteins, rejection of addictions, sufficient rest, lack of emotional overload.
In some cases, when male infertility is confirmed by analyzes, experts advise spouses to use modern medical technologies. These methods allow you to conceive a child, even with serious illnesses.
Methods of artificial insemination: features
Sometimes the only treatment for male infertility is IVF. This procedure involves the introduction of seminal fluid into the uterine cavity. If there are too few viable gametes in the sperm, a slightly different medical intervention is performed. For fertilization, the most suitable cell is selected and used, which should be placed inside the woman's reproductive system.
This service is one of the most expensive. In addition, its effectiveness is extremely small - the procedure leads to conception in only ten percent of cases.
With the problem of treating male infertility, expert reviews indicate that IVF is a painless and quick procedure. However, not in all cases, she can help spouses fulfill their dream. In the complete absence of gametes suitable for fertilization, doctors use donor material that is introduced into the woman’s uterus. It must be remembered that the use of these technologies includes preliminary testing for the presence of possible pathologies (for example, viruses, STDs) in both spouses. When implementing this event, doctors pay attention to the age of the woman. They say: the older the partner, the less likely the couple to become parents.
How to prevent the development of the disease?
Difficulties with procreation are observed in a large number of modern families. This is a problem of both partners, which many are trying to cope with.
Speaking about such a phenomenon as male infertility, the causes and treatment of the disease, it should be noted that prevention plays an important role. Prevention of the disease is as follows:
- Compliance with the rules of a healthy lifestyle.
- A balanced diet, eating foods high in protein, sufficient intake of vitamins in the body.
- Prevention of mechanical damage to the genital area.
- Lack of addictions (tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, narcotic substances).
- Protection from harmful environmental influences (e.g. toxic compounds) during hazardous work activities.
- Refusal to wear tight and too warm clothes, frequent visits to the steam room and bath.
- Prevention of colds, genitourinary infections.
- Avoidance of emotional overload, increased fatigue.
- Regular examination of a specialist in the field of urology, treatment of diseases of the reproductive organs.
Infertility is a problem that can cause complexes and negative experiences. Unfortunately, there are times when difficulties with conception turn into a break in relations between spouses. However, this phenomenon can be fought. Advances in modern medicine, innovative treatment methods and artificial insemination technologies allow many spouses to become parents, despite serious obstacles.
You should contact a competent specialist, get a referral for diagnosis, support each other and be patient. After all, doctors have to determine the cause of difficulties and ways to deal with them. Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, the result is worth the time and effort.