Infertility Isn’t Just A Woman’s Problem

The conversation around infertility is usually focused on women. Since it’s the female sex that carries a baby to term, people often ignore that men play a part, too. Society scrutinizes the age, egg quality, and weight of a woman, along with potential underlying health conditions or a family history that might interfere with conception. Yet, the reality is more nuanced than pop culture has been led to believe. According to the real data, in heterosexual couples, men are the sole cause of infertility in a third of all documented cases in the United States, and in another third, they share responsibility with a female partner. The final third is secondary to female-only-related infertility issues. Here are a few common causes of male-factor infertility.

Physical abnormalities

Just like with women, infertility in men can be attributed to hormone levels, underlying health concerns, or because of a physical issue preventing the sperm from effectively reaching the egg. Physical abnormalities can range from actual blockages preventing sperm from traveling through the urethra or even an enlarged prostate or testifcles. Sometimes treatments might work, or a couple may need to consider using donor sperm. Note erectile dysfunction (ED) is often categorized as a physical impairment.

Previous or underlying health issues

Sometimes, factors such as being overweight or obese, as well as previously having had cancer, can interfere with fertility. For example, undergoing common cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation can cause sterility. Typically, though, when younger men are diagnosed with cancer, a specialist will usually recommend taking a sperm sample to preserve fertility before starting treatment. Although a different cause, obesity has been linked to a higher risk of infertility and a 42% chance of having a lower sperm count. Likewise, some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can also cause sterility.

Genetic conditions

Women aren't the only people at risk of a family history or gene carrier interfering with fertility. In some people, including men, carrying certain genes can increase the chances of passing a specific disorder down to a child. Some cases may result in an embryo that's not viable, but in other situations, this can result in a child with a debilitating disease or condition that reduces quality of life. Opting for carrier screening can help a man learn if a risk for passing hereditary diseases exists and gives a couple the option to use donor sperm.

Lifestyle choices

Most people know that smoking and excessive drinking can be harmful to the body. Just like with increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases or diabetes, both tobacco use and consuming too much alcohol are proven to lower fertility. Tobacco, including vaping, is specifically linked with a higher risk of ED and low sperm quality, which translates to poor motility and quantity. DNA fragmentation in the sperm is also possible, which can increase the likelihood of miscarriages and reduce successful embryo development and implantation.

Infertility is a universal issue

Both men and women can face infertility challenges. As with women, a man's age can play a major factor. Yes, men can realistically continue to father a child even as a senior, but sperm quality is greatly reduced, and experiencing more conception difficulties is not an anomaly. Just as with women, experts recommend men ages 35 and younger seek professional assistance if conception hasn't occurred after a year of trying. For people over 35, the timeline shifts to six months.