Male Factor Infertility
When it’s difficult to conceive, many people assume the issue lies with the female partner—but that’s only part of the picture. Nearly 40% of infertility cases involve the male partner, either alone or in combination with other factors. The good news? There are effective, personalized treatments that can help.
What is male factor infertility?
Male infertility often relates to issues with sperm count, motility (how well the sperm move), or morphology (sperm shape and structure). A healthy sperm count is typically 20 million sperm per milliliter or more. Lower counts or poor movement or shape can make it harder to achieve pregnancy—but not impossible.
What is male factor infertility?
Male infertility often relates to issues with sperm count, motility (how well the sperm move), or morphology (sperm shape and structure). A healthy sperm count is typically 20 million sperm per milliliter or more. Lower counts or poor movement or shape can make it harder to achieve pregnancy—but not impossible.
Common causes of male infertility
There are many reasons sperm quality or production might be affected, including:
Age – Sperm quality starts to decline around age 35
Sexually transmitted infections – Can damage the reproductive tract
Cancer treatments – Chemotherapy or radiation can impair or stop sperm production
Testosterone supplements or performance enhancers – Can disrupt natural sperm production
Hormonal imbalances – Issues with the pituitary gland may affect testosterone and sperm levels
Lifestyle choices – Smoking, excessive alcohol use, drug use, and poor diet can all play a role
Anatomical blockages – Conditions like azoospermia or a vasectomy can prevent sperm from being present in the ejaculate
How testing works
The first step in evaluating male fertility is usually a semen analysis, which looks at:
Sperm count
Movement (motility)
Shape (morphology)
Volume and pH of the sample
In some cases, when no sperm are detected, advanced testing or procedures may be needed to identify if sperm can be retrieved directly from the testicles.
How testing works
The first step in evaluating male fertility is usually a semen analysis, which looks at:
Sperm count
Movement (motility)
Shape (morphology)
Volume and pH of the sample
In some cases, when no sperm are detected, advanced testing or procedures may be needed to identify if sperm can be retrieved directly from the testicles.
Treatments
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Every treatment plan is built around your specific diagnosis, goals, and comfort level. Options include:
- IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) – Ideal for mild male factor infertility, this process places prepared, motile sperm directly into the uterus, closer to the egg at the time of ovulation.
- IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) – In cases where sperm motility or shape is more severely affected, IVF bypasses natural fertilization challenges by allowing egg and sperm to meet in a lab setting.
- Donor sperm – When sperm are absent or not viable, donor sperm can offer a compassionate and successful option for building your family. Donor samples are fully screened and available through trusted sperm banks.
Let’s take the first step together
If you’ve been trying to conceive without success, or you’ve been told sperm quality could be a factor, now is the time to get answers. With the right support and a personalized plan, parenthood may be closer than you think.