Approximately
15 percent of couples are infertile. This means they aren't able to
conceive a child even though they've had frequent, unprotected sexual
intercourse for a year or longer. In about half of these couples,
male infertility plays a role.
Male infertility is due to low sperm production, misshapen or immobile
sperm, or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Illnesses,
injuries, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices and other
factors can play a role in causing male infertility.
Not
being able to conceive a child can be stressful and frustrating, but
a number of male infertility treatments are available.
The
production of sperm is a complex process and requires normal
functioning of the testicles (testes) as well as the hypothalamus and
pituitary glands — organs in your brain that produce hormones that
trigger sperm production. Once sperm are produced in the testicles,
delicate tubes transport them until they mix with semen and are
ejaculated out of the penis. Problems with any of these systems can
affect sperm production. Also, there are problems of abnormal sperm
shape (morphology) or movement ….(motility). Often the cause of low
sperm count isn't ever identified.
Being
overweight ,Having certain past or present infections, Being exposed
to toxins ,Overheating the testicles, Having a prior vasectomy or
vasectomy reversal ,Being born with a fertility disorder or having a
blood relative with a fertility disorder ,Having certain medical
conditions, including tumors and chronic illnesses Undergoing cancer
treatments, such as surgery or radiation ,Taking certain medications,
Performing prolonged activities such as bicycling or horseback
riding, especially on a hard seat or poorly adjusted bicycle can
cause oligospermia.,
Antibodies that attack sperm.
Undescended
testicles.
Hormone
imbalances., Sperm duct defects, Chromosome defects.
Celiac
disease,
Environmental
causes, Industrial chemicals, Heavy metal exposure
can cause Low sperm count
strategies
suggested or proposed for avoiding male infertility include the
following:
- Avoiding smoking as it damages sperm DNA
- Avoiding excessive heat to the testes.
When
participating in contact sports, wear an Protective
Cup
and
Jockstrap
to
protect the testicles. Sports such as Baseball,
Football,
Cricket, Lacrosse,
Hockey, Softball,
Paintball,
Rodeo, Motorcross,
Wrestling,
Soccer, Karate
or
other Martial
Arts
or
any sport where a ball, foot, arm, knee or bat can come into contact
with the groin.
Intrauterine
insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a procedure for treating infertility. The
procedure for intrauterine insemination is straightforward; it takes
about 15 to 20 minutes and is usually done in a doctor's office or
clinic. Sperm that have been "washed" and concentrated are
placed directly in your uterus on the day after your ovary releases
one or more eggs to be fertilized. The hoped-for outcome of
intrauterine insemination is for the sperm to swim into the fallopian
tubes and fertilize a waiting egg, resulting in a normal pregnancy.
Depending
on the reasons for infertility, intrauterine insemination can be
coordinated with your normal cycle or done in conjunction with
fertility medications., for Mild
male factor infertility (subfertility).,
Cervical
factor infertility ,Semen allergy ,Unexplained infertility.
IUI
can be done for 6 cycles, if a couple fail to conceive in 6 cycles,
Patient should undergo ICSI to overcome their problems.
Intracytoplasmic
Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Before
a man's sperm can fertilize a woman's egg, the head of the sperm has
to attach to the outside of the egg. Then it pushes through the outer
layer of the egg to the inside of the egg (cytoplasm). Sometimes the
sperm cannot penetrate the outer layer. A procedure called
intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can help fertilize the egg by
injecting the sperm directly into the egg.
In
traditional IVF(In Vitro Fertilization), the sperm are mixed with the woman's egg in a
laboratory. If ICSI is needed, a small needle is used to inject a
sperm into the center of the egg. The fertilized egg grows in a
laboratory for one to five days, and then it is placed in the woman's
uterus (womb).
ICSI
helps to overcome a man's fertility problems, for instance:
- He may produce too few sperm
- His sperm may be not be shaped correctly or move in a normal fashion
- The sperm may have trouble attaching to the egg
- A blockage in his reproductive tract may keep sperm from getting out
ICSI
can also be used when the use of traditional IVF has not produced
fertilization, regardless of the condition of the sperm.
Once
fertilization takes place, a couple's chance of giving birth to a
single baby, twins, or triplets is the same if they have IVF with or
without ICSI.
Having
a low sperm count decreases the odds that one of your sperm will
fertilize your partner's egg, resulting in pregnancy. Nonetheless,
many men who have a low sperm count are still able to father a child.
Azoospermia
:
The
most severe expression of male factor infertility is azoospermia,
where no sperm are present in the ejaculate. Azoospermia is found in
15-20% of men evaluated for infertility. Causes of azoospermia
include congenital and acquired reproductive tract obstruction as
well as spermatogenic failure.
The
approach to azoospermic patient has changed significantly with the
introduction of sperm retrieval techniques and assisted reproduction,
especially IFV/ ICSI. Nevertheless, specific treatment of azoospermia
remains not only successful but also a cost-effective option.
You
can find a solution for all types of male, female infertility at Guru
Hoapital Infertility, Madurai, a unit of Guru Hospital where a very
good success rate is maintained for IVF patients. Patients who need
hysteroscopic surgeries, Laparoscopic surgeries also undergo needed
surgery before IVF in ANISH FERTILITY & WOMEN CENTRE. You can
find a solution for your infertility under one roof.
DR.B. Kalpana MD (OG)., FNB (Reproductive medicine)
Anish
Fertility & Women centre,
Guru
Hospital, Madurai.
Contact us: www.infertility-center-madurai.com
Email:guruinfertilitycenter@gmail.com
