What are the causes of male infertility

With the aggravation of various pollutions, many males have suffered from infertility, which has cast a layer of gloom on the originally happy family. The quality of male sperm also declines, so what is the reason for the decline in male sperm quality?

　Cause 1: Obstruction of the vas deferens

　　In a small percentage of men, the vas deferens are blocked, preventing sperm from entering the semen.

　　The epididymis are convoluted tubes that store and transport the sperm produced by the testes; the vas deferens are two tubes that are responsible for transporting the sperm that is about to be ejaculated from the epididymis. If these ducts are blocked or damaged, it can prevent sperm from successfully reaching your wife’s eggs.

　　An infection, injury, birth defect, or vasectomy can cause a blockage of the vas deferens.

　　1. Possible symptoms: none

　　2. Possible treatment methods: surgery to repair the blocked part or vas deferens reversal

　　3. Success rate: After vasectomy reversal, about 80% to 90% of men’s semen contains sperm, and 40% to 50% of couples will successfully conceive within one or two years.

　　The success rate of conception using standard in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) depends on the specific fertility problem and the age of the wife.

　Reason 2: Varicocele

　　A varicocele is a dilated vein in the scrotum, similar to varicose veins in other parts of the body, which raises the temperature in the testicles and affects sperm production.

　　1. Possible symptoms: None. This problem is usually discovered during a physical exam.

　　2. Possible treatment methods: surgical treatment of varicose veins; in vitro fertilization (IVF).

　　3. Success rate: There is still no conclusion in the medical field about the impact of varicocele on male fertility and sperm quality. Not all men with varicocele have sperm problems. Although surgery can improve the quantity and quality of sperm, it does not necessarily increase the chances of conception. This issue remains to be further studied. It is recommended to consult a physician for the latest evidence-based treatment options.

Reason 3: Abnormal sperm

　　If you have low sperm count, no sperm, low sperm motility (ability to swim), or deformed sperm, your sperm may not be able to fertilize your wife’s eggs naturally.

　　1. Possible symptoms: None.

　　2. Possible treatment methods: intrauterine insemination (IUI) using donated sperm or your own sperm (of course, the premise of using your own sperm is that the sperm is not very abnormal in terms of quantity, shape and vitality); Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI); or the wife’s use of fertility drugs to increase the number of ovulations.

　　3. Success rate: If intrauterine insemination (IUI) is combined with the use of reproductive drugs, and the wife’s fallopian tubes and the sperm used are healthy , the success rate of each cycle is about 15%. If the wife is under 35 years old, the success rate of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is about 29% per cycle.

Reason 4: Sperm Allergy

　　Your body may produce antibodies that kill its own sperm. This condition is more common after a vasectomy, testicular torsion (a twisting of the testicle in the scrotum), infection, or after an accident. It is estimated that about 3% of male infertility cases are caused by sperm allergies.