Today, thanks to science, we know much better, and this allows us to intervene and fix the infertility factor, be it male or female. 

As per the latest statistics, almost half of infertility cases are caused by male infertility. The quality of semen has constantly decreased in the past 50 years, plummeting in the past two decades. In short, human sperm counts have fallen by 50% since the 1970’s. 

There are various reasons for this, although it is hard to pinpoint the exact cause: 

  • Global pollution 
  • Lifestyle changes (fewer physical activities, more unhealthy food) 
  • Exposure to chemicals found in plastic, like phthalates, that impact the male reproductive system  
  • Excessive drinking, smoking, drugs and medications consumption, steroid use 

Assessing male fertility is relatively straightforward, and it all starts with a semen analysis in a lab. 

The test will look at certain parameters that influence sperm health and may impact the ability to procreate: 

  • Quantity-that would be the number of sperm. Although at the end of the race, only one sperm gets to fertilize the egg, the optimal number of sperm is 15 million per milliliter of ejaculate. 
  • Motility-is the way sperm moves. In the race towards the egg, sperm must move forward, towards the cervix, pass through it, traverse the uterine cavity and go up the tubes. Even though pregnancy may occur with lower numbers, the optimal threshold for motile sperm is considered to sit around 40%. 
  • Morphology refers to the shape of the sperm. An oval head and a long tail, that’s how sperm is portrayed in biology books. But did you know that most sperm have an abnormal shape in humans? The optimal level of normal-shaped sperm, as per the World Health Organization, is only 4%. Of course, pregnancy sometimes occurs with lower numbers.  

 

So why would a man go test his fertility, and most importantly, when? 

Usually, the semen analysis test is performed as part of a couple’s assessment, during a visit at the fertility clinic. 

Couples are advised to keep trying to conceive naturally for up to 1 year before seeing a specialist if the woman is younger than 35 years old and up to 6 months if she is older than 35. The assessment looks at the couple, because it is important to identify all the potential infertility causes and sometimes, more factors make conception impossible. 

The semen analysis test is accurate and gives the doctor a good idea of the male partner’s reproductive health. 

One thing about sperm is that, unlike a woman’s eggs, which she is born with, sperm replenishes constantly. This means that, very often, the quality of the sperm can be improved. 

It’s pretty common for men who have suboptimal sperm parameters to see their numbers improve over a few months, once they start making lifestyle changes: 

  • workout 
  • lose weight 
  • cut off unhealthy fats, sugar and diminish carbohydrates 
  • focus on protein, fiber and healthy fats 
  • stop smoking and reduce alcohol 
  • sleep better 
  • relax more 

If all of the above measures fail and pregnancy still doesn’t occur, even though all the other parameters are good, including on the female partner’s side, there are other options where our ART fertility centers specialists can help you. 

IUI (short for Intrauterine Insemination) is a procedure recommended for slightly lower  than normal semen analysis results. The sperm is washed and introduced directly in the uterus. This helps slow-moving or lazy sperm reach their target more easily. 

IVF is the next step, and the best solution for male infertility. Fertilization of the egg takes place in vitro, either normally, or using ICSI, a procedure where the embryologist injects each egg with a healthy sperm, facilitating fecundation.  

 

At ART we have high expertise regarding male fertility, even with the most difficult of cases.  

Among the conditions we successfully treat in our clinics we can count: 

  • Azoospermia (obstructive and non-obstructive) 
  • Oligospermia 
  • Ejaculation disorders 
  • Erectile dysfunction 
  • Chromosomal disorders 

 

We know that infertility is an extremely strenuous journey, and we are aware that a culturally sensitive approach is the key to quality healthcare. And while it is a fact that male infertility is a very thorny issue, open communication and expert advice from the part of our providers will smooth the journey and offer you the experience you deserve. 

Make sure you book your appointment in our of clinics today, and let us accompany you on your path to becoming a parent.