Symptoms of male infertility
The male factor is known to be the cause of infertility
in about 45% to 50% of infertile couples. Reduced fertility in males
can occur due to various reasons and accordingly the symptoms
manifested may be different. Here are some symptoms of male infertility:
- If the partner does not conceive after a year of
attempting to conceive, one must investigate both partners.
- Examination of the male reproductive
system may indicate the presence of undescended testis or tumor or
Varicocoele which needs to be addressed either surgically or
medically.
- Some of the genetic abnormalities have typical
physical appearance like feminization ,absence of secondary sexual
characteristics, small hard testes etc
- Erectile dysfunction may be the primary symptom of an
underlying condition of either the vasculature or the nerve supply.
- Loss of sexual desire is another symptom that points
towards reduced fertility with underlying causes like a hormone
imbalance or depression
- Another pointer towards is difficulty in urination or
ejaculation. The likely cause could be the abnormal opening of the
urethra on the underside (hypospadias)
or on the dorsum of the penis (epispadias). Hypospadias are likely to
cause retrograde ejaculation and hence presence of milky white urine
after an orgasm needs further investigation.
- Blurring of vision with abnormal hormonal profile
along with a computerized tomogram (CT) scan showing enlarged pituitary
glands may suggest the presence of a pituitary tumor which needs
surgical removal.
Diagnosis of male infertility:
The first and the most important test to determine male
fertility is a semen analysis. This test must be performed after a
period of abstinence of 3days for optimum results. According to the
World Health Organization (WHO) a sperm count of less than 20 million
per ml of semen is considered to be oligospermic and such an
individual’s partner is likely face difficulty in conceiving. It is not
only the sperm count that is important but morphological abnormalities
of the sperms are also important. The different abnormalities could
involve the head of the sperm which is important for the penetration
into the ovum.
Other abnormalities may include the neck or the tail of
the sperm. The motility of the sperms is another important criterion
taken into consideration. A defect in the forward progressive motility
is again likely to contribute to reduced fertility in the male. Absence
of sperms (Azoospermia) in the semen and the presence of mature sperms
testes confirmed by a needle biopsy is likely to be due to a blockage
in the ejaculatory ducts. A thorough medical examination can reveal
cryptorchidism or variococoele or hypospadias. A hormone analysis may
be required to identify the cause of infertility.
There is a likely reduction of the male hormone
testosterone or there male be an increase in the Follicle Stimulating
Hormone (FSH) in some patients. A good ultrasonography or a CT scan is
very helpful in identifying local causes of male infertility.
In some conditions antibodies are produced against the sperms which
destroy them. Agglutination of sperm in such cases is likely to
identify the presence of autoantibodies against the sperms or an
infection. Sperm immobilization tests are performed in the laboratory
to determine the capacity of the sperm to swim towards the ovum in vivo.
References:
http://www.testsymptomsathome.com/SYM_male_infertility.asp
http://www.gettingpregnant.co.uk/male_infertility_symptoms.html
http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/m/maleinfertility.htm
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