If you have plans to raise a family, it is natural to experience emotional pain if you struggle to conceive a child with your other half.
Yet, various options are available to help couples expand their family. Different issues can affect male fertility, and some tactics could even improve your chances of welcoming a baby into the world with your partner. Here are five common causes of male fertility problems.
1. An Infection
Various infections can impact a man’s sperm health or production. Also, it can result in scarring that will block the sperm passage.
Inflammation of the testicles or epididymis can cause the above issues, as well as some sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea.
In some cases, an infection can cause permanent damage; however, sperm health, production, and passage can be improved with treatment.
2. A Hormonal Imbalance
While low testosterone doesn’t cause infertility, it can lead to a low sex drive or erectile dysfunction, which may prevent couples from conceiving a child.
If you believe the hormonal imbalance is the cause of your poor libido, erection problems, or fatigue, learn more about low testosterone treatment.
Testosterone replacement therapy could revive your sex drive and ease associated symptoms, such as depression and weight gain.
It could be the key to boosting your libido and getting pregnant at a much faster rate.
3. A Low Sperm Count
Many men can produce between 20 to 300 million sperm cells in a millimeter of semen.
Unfortunately, you may have a low sperm count if you produce fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter or less than 39 million per ejaculate.
While a low sperm count doesn’t automatically mean you can’t conceive a child, it may decrease your likelihood.
There are various ways to increase your sperm count, as you could:
- Quit smoking
- Reduce alcohol consumption
- Stop drug use
- Change prescription medications
- Consume more vitamin D
- Eat more antioxidant-rich foods
4. Poor Sperm Quality
Another potential issue is poor sperm quality. If your sperm have decreased mobility, it may make it difficult for them to reach and fertilize an egg.
The cause of decreased sperm mobility is unknown, and it may be caused by various factors, such as an unusual shape that makes it harder for them to move.
A sperm analysis can review the quality of your sperm to learn about their mobility. Improve sperm quality by losing weight if you have a high BMI, adopting a healthy diet, and taking an ashwagandha supplement.
5. Testicular Damage
As your testicles will protect sperms’ delicate cells from external factors, damage to the area can affect both the quality and quantity of a man’s sperm.
In addition to avoiding damage, you must ensure your testicles do not experience overheating. Try to keep them at a cool temperature to protect sperm quality. For example, you must:
- Avoid sitting down for long periods
- Not wear tight underwear
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing
- Avoid placing a laptop on your lap
- Choose a shower over a hot bath
Other possible causes of testicular damage include infection, trauma, testicular surgery, or a congenital defect.
