- Varicocele
- Reproductive tract infections
- Ejaculation problems
- Hormonal changes
- Genetic problems
- The main test to assess infertility in men is the spermogram, through which the doctor assesses the quantity and quality of the sperm produced.
The main causes of infertility in men are varicocele, infections in the reproductive system, changes in hormone production or genetic problems.
The treatment of infertility in men is usually done according to the cause of the problem, and can be done with the use of drugs, hormones or through surgery.
Varicocele
Varicocele is the most frequent cause of infertility in men, and is characterized by an increase in blood vessels in the testicles, which increases the temperature of the region and impairs the development of sperm.
How to treat:
This problem is diagnosed through physical examination in the doctor's office, and its treatment is done through surgery to remove the enlarged blood vessels. Surgery is simple and the patient is discharged on the same day or the day after the procedure, and can resume normal activities after about 1 week. See what are the symptoms of varicocele.
Reproductive tract infections
Infections in the male reproductive system mainly affect the testicles, impairing semen production and the quality of sperm.
How to treat:
Infections are usually caused by bacteria, and are translated with the use of antibiotics. It is important to note that in some cases the man's partner also needs to undergo treatment, to avoid recurrence of the problem.
Ejaculation problems
Problems such as no ejaculation or retrograde ejaculation cause infertility because the semen cannot reach the woman's body, preventing the possibility of pregnancy.
How to treat:
The treatment of these diseases can be done with the use of drugs that favor the exit of the semen, such as ephedrine or phenylpropanolamine. However, when drug treatment does not work, it may be necessary to perform sperm collection and artificial insemination.
Hormonal changes
The main hormonal changes that cause infertility in men are related to:
- High production of the hormone prolactin; Low testosterone production; Thyroid disorders; Use of anabolic steroids; Radiotherapy; Pituitary tumors.
How to treat:
In these cases, the treatment for infertility consists of taking injections of hormones regularly for at least 3 months, to balance the amount of hormones in the body and favor normal production of sperm.
Genetic problems
Genetic problems cause a man to naturally not have sperm in his semen or to produce sperm in a very small amount, so that the woman's egg does not fertilize.
How to treat:
The treatment for cases of low sperm production is done with assisted reproduction techniques, where the sperm are removed directly from the testicles with the help of a needle, and then are placed in the woman's uterus, for fertilization to occur. See how sperm is collected in the testicles.
Another alternative is to do the so-called in vitro fertilization, in which the man's sperm are joined to the woman's egg in the laboratory, forming an embryo that is then placed in the woman's uterus.
The main test to assess infertility in men is the spermogram, through which the doctor assesses the quantity and quality of the sperm produced.
