Causes of Male Infertility

A man will be considered at risk of being infertile if his sperm count is less than 20 million/mL of semen. This level is defined by the World Health Organisation but it is important to realise that some men with low sperm counts will still prove fertile whilst others with higher counts prove infertile. So a measure of sperm count is not a completely reliable method of assessing fertility. If you are concerned that you may have a low sperm count then you can test yourself reliably using our sperm count test kit.

What can be done if you have a low sperm count ?

If you suffer from 'oligospermia' - the term used to describe when the sperm count is low you should take a look at some of the possible causes below. It is almost certain that you should seek some medical advice. The only self-help option that we promote is to use Proxeed since recent clinical trials of this supplement have shown excellent results.

If there are no sperm at all in the semen sample, the condition is termed azoospermia. In such cases, you will need to be followed up by a doctor who will ask you questions about your history and also give you a detailed physical examination (see below).

Possible causes of a low sperm count.

Infected semen can be a cause of infertility. Your doctor can test for this. It was previously thought that mumps could cause sterility in men but in fact it is now known to be extremely rare for mumps to lead to sterility.

Heat can reduce sperm production. This is why the testicles are outside the body in the scrotum rather than in the abdomen like the ovaries. Medical opinion is divided on how important the following are but we would suggest you take account of whether they might apply to you - Some men soak themselves in a bathtub full of scalding water, some obese (overweight) men can become sterile because the sagging layers of fat can overheat the testicles, some men whose jobs involve long hours of sitting may also have a reduced sperm count because of overheated testicles.

Very frequent intercourse can lead to a dramatic reduction in sperm count and cause the man to be effectively infertile. If you ejaculate as much as 2-3 times a day you are likely to have a problem. If you want to be at your most fertile you have to wait at least 3 days between each ejaculation!

Smoking over 20 cigarettes a day has been shown to reduce both the sperm count and the sperm motility. So stop smoking or reduce it to minimal levels! 

Excessive alcohol intake can lead to low sperm counts for a variety of reasons.

The workaholic man can find that fatigue can have similar effects on his interest in intercourse as well as stimulate a desire for excessive alcohol intake.

What will the doctor look for during an examination?

The doctor will pay attention to your general physical condition but of course he will have a careful look at your genitals ! However, examination of the external genitalia in the male rarely shows anything out of the ordinary. Only occasionally are one or both testicles very small or rarely may even be absent. He may also discover that each of the vas deferens are missing - these are the ducts through the sperm must pass during intercourse.

Other factors which may contribute to reduced fertility, and which can be identified on examination include:

Varicocele is a term used to describe a condition where there are varicose veins around the testicle and vas deferens. In the case of varicoceles, there is an increase in the blood flow and temperature around the testicle. Even a small varicocele may be significant and affect sperm production. Fortunately this can usually be corrected by surgery.

The presence of excessive fluid around the testicle is known as a hydrocele. 

There can occasionally be anatomical defects in the development of the penis. Consequently, during intercourse and ejaculation the sperm cannot be deposited within the vagina very easily. Retrograde ejaculation is a rare condition when some men ejaculate backwards into the bladder. This could be the result of earlier surgery to the urethra (the outflow tube from the bladder). 

A rectal examination can help determine whether the prostate gland may be a source of chronic infection.