So, when you hear the world INFERTILITY, I bet your mind jumps to a woman having trouble getting pregnant. Contrary to popular belief, infertility doesn’t just affect females. Men can have trouble conceiving as well. Infertility in men is another taboo subject, unfortunately.
Infertility is the inability to achieve a successful pregnancy. For couples who are below advanced maternal age, if they have been trying to conceive for a year or longer without success, they are dealing with infertility.
This can impact both males and females. More on female infertility factors can be found here.
Infertility in Men
Male infertility factors can be from many different kinds of causes. But, their are some things that men can do to help with these fertility troubles.
They can go through some testing to try to determine the root cause of the problem. Once they find the problem, most male infertility problems can be fixed or helped.
Infertility in men can often be helped with simple lifestyle changes.
How do you find out the problem
To find out the root cause, the most common thing a man can do is a sperm analysis. The doctor can receive results on many factors affecting the sperm. The most common for them to evaluate and look at are the quantity of the sperm, shape of the sperm and sperm motility. With each of these analysis results, doctors can determine what their plan of attack can be.
The common factors impacting infertility in men are:
1. Sperm shape- a normal result for this would be more than 50 percent of sperm that is normal in shape. If more than 50 percent of the sperms shape are abnormal, this can be a cause of infertility.
2. Sperm count- the number of sperm can vary, but, a normal amount in an analysis should be somewhere between 20 million to 200+ million. If the quantity is below that, it can be more difficult to conceive.
3. Sperm motility-If more than 50 percent of the sperm are still moving in the correct direction an hour after ejaculatoin, sperm motility is considered optimal.
Other factors impacting male fertility:
There are other things that’s the semen analysis test for such as the pH level, the physical volume of the sperm, the liquefaction time and the physical appearance. If abnormal results are noted, infertility may be the cause, but, there are a couple other things this could indicate.
Abnormal results could indicate some kind of infection, hormonal imbalance, diabetes, radiation exposure or genetic defects. All of these indications should be addressed and may require additional testing.
If you’re trying to conceive and are having difficultly, there are some things you can try to do to help enhance your fertility.
Tips to enhance male fertility:
1. Lose weight- losing weight can increase sperm count.
2. Quit bad habits like smoking, excessive drinking, drug or steroid use. Smoking is the major reason for infertility.
3. Check medications and side effects they have on fertility
4. Avoid hot environments like hot tubs or saunas. Hot temperatures cause low sperm count.
5. Keep laptops off of lap. Increased temperature can decrease sperm count.
6. Avoid form fitting clothing. Tight clothing decreases sperm count
7. Don’t use lubricant during sex. It makes it harder for the sperm to swim.
8. Check your diet. Include a diet rich with minerals, vitamins and iron!
9. Get a sufficient amount sleep.
10. Avoid sitting for long amounts of time
Infertility in men – What now?
These are just general guidelines or suggestions. You should absolutely talk to your doctor and follow any recommendations they tell you. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
To learn more about female infertility and factors that impact female fertility, check out the other posts.
Find out more about our own journey battling infertility. Infertility in men and women should not be something that you’re afraid to discuss.
The more we open up about it and share our stories, the easier it is to find support. Infertility can be a very touchy subject, especially in men who do not want to hurt their pride. Set pride aside and open up.
See how infertility can impact males in more than just one way. Learn these ways and how to handle those impacts.
Feel free to share your stories or ask questions below in the comments. Thanks and good luck.
I’m here to help!
Dealing with infertility, whether it be male or female related can be very stressful.
If you’d like access to the 10 fun and easy ways to reconnect with your spouse while going through infertility, make sure to sign up and get it!
Infertility in itself, whether impacting males or females can take a huge toll on your mental state. If you’re having a hard time dealing with your infertility diagnosis or know someone who is, I highly recommend this ebook, Infertility is a Diagnosis not a Definition.
Jen says
Great info and advice! We’ve struggled with unexplained infertility throughout our marriage.
onesharpmamablog@gmail.com says
Thanks for reading Jen. I’m sorry you had struggles as well. I hope you were able to overcome them together and strengthen your marriage.
Jen @ MiddayMornings says
So glad to see a post on male infertility. It was the last thing we expected in our fertility journey, but the one that caused the most significant problem. Over the years we’ve researched a lot of ways to increase male fertility – two specific suggestions that come to mind are 1) don’t take artificial testosterone thinking that will help increase sperm count (it does the exact opposite) and 2) a diet rich in zinc and magnesium can boost sperm production and quality.
onesharpmamablog@gmail.com says
Jen! I’m sorry you guys had to deal with this but thank you so much for sharing what you’ve learned. Infertility whether male or female can be extremely frustrating and I really feel like the more we are open about it, the easier it CAN become. Thanks again for reading!
Lisa says
It is nice to see a post reflecting both parts of the story, it takes the man and the woman and the fertility issue may be with either and in fact often, even both. Way back when, doctors told us we wouldn’t have children due to a health issue I had. Then they discovered it was my husband’s sperm count and told him he had to have a minor surgery. Then we found out they were all wrong. My husband did have the surgery but we actually got pregnant before he went into the hospital. Miracles happen, we have three girls!
onesharpmamablog@gmail.com says
Lisa, this is an incredible story!! Congrats to you and your husband for proving those doctors wrong. I’m glad to hear that all worked out for you both— and those three lovely girls. This story just made my day. I love miracle babies 🙂
Jill @ Kentucky makeup junkie says
I love this. While I’d never want any man to think he could have fertility issues, it’s so true that everyone automatically thinks the issue is with the woman. But it takes two to tango! Great tips- some I wouldn’t have thought about (like prolonged sitting)!
onesharpmamablog@gmail.com says
Thanks Jill! I’d never wish any infertility on anybody, it’s so exhausting physically, mentally and emotionally. Thanks for reading 🙂 You’re so right- Two to Tango !!!
Bailey says
Infertility is such a hard road for a man to walk down. Thank you for these tips
onesharpmamablog@gmail.com says
Thanks for reading!
Brittany Daoud says
this is great information. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for 9 months now and we’re starting to wonder if there is an infertility issue!
Shani | Sunshine & Munchkins says
Thank you for pointing this out! When my husband and I were trying to get pregnant with our first child, we had him tested just to see if there was an issue and it turns out there was. We tried some of the suggestions you gave and while I’ll never know for sure if they helped, we did get pregnant. 🙂
onesharpmamablog@gmail.com says
Shani, that’s fantastic news that you guys were able to conceive. It’s smart to get both parties tested, as infertility doesn’t discriminate based on gender. It’s a pain in the butt, but, with testing and modern medicine most issues can be overcome. Thanks for sharing your story!!!! Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!
robbie doyle says
Great blog post! It is very frustrating dealing with infertility, my husband and I been trying to conceive for 5 years. I think men can be in denial that they can be the reason their partner can’t get pregnant. No matter who has the issue its nothing to be ashamed of because there is help for both people.
onesharpmamablog@gmail.com says
Thanks for reading Robbie. It’s such a difficult road to go down. I hope you and your hubby get to achieve that pregnancy soon! It’s a long hard road
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Rick says
Hello,
I just came across a graphic on Pinterest linked to your article and subsequent comments.
I am involved on a daily basis with Male Factor Infertility. I am the director of a small company that manufactures two medical devices specifically to help couples when their infertility issue is diagnosed male factor.
I always look for opportunities to inform that small group of couples, 1 in 8, about PICSI and to ask for it if they are going to do ICSI. This isn’t all about selling more product, I truly want to help couples conceive. This is my passion. To get the word out and possibly help reduce the number of cycles they go through, therefore save money and maybe a marriage too! Please look into it. If you choose to post this, I would be very appreciative. The website is: hba-picsi.com.
Thanks you!