Male infertility facts: Obesity, Age, Tests, Treatments

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Although some people still think of fertility as a "women's problem," up to 20% of couples with infertility are caused by the male factor. Male infertility may be the only reason why a couple cannot conceive.

1. Signs of male infertility

In male infertility, the main symptom that prompts a man to seek medical attention is the inability to conceive. Men may have no other obvious signs or symptoms. However, in some cases, men have underlying problems such as genetic disorders, hormonal imbalances, varicocele, or a condition that blocks the passage of sperm.
Although most men with male infertility experience no symptoms other than an inability to conceive, some may have the following signs and symptoms associated with male infertility:
problems with sexual function - for example, difficulty ejaculating or reducing the amount of semen ejaculated, decreased sex drive, or difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction). Pain, swelling, or lumps in the testicles Recurrent respiratory infections Loss of smell Abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia) Decrease in facial or body hair or other signs due to chromosomal or internal abnormalities Hormones Lower than normal sperm count (less than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen or total sperm count less than 39 million per ejaculation) You need to see your doctor right away if you are unable to conceive after an important year. Have sex regularly and without using any protection, or sooner, if you have any of the following:
Problems with erection or ejaculation, decreased sex drive, or other problems with sexual function Pain, discomfort, lumps or swelling in the testicles Testicular, prostate or sexual problems Have had surgery on the groin, testicles, penis, or scrotum

2. Male obesity and infertility

Men who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of infertility than men of normal weight. This is because, compared with men of normal weight, overweight and obese men are more likely to have low sperm counts or less healthy sperm.
The researchers looked at the participants' sperm count and body mass index (or BMI), which is a measure of body fatness and is calculated based on weight and height. Men with a BMI over 25 are considered overweight and those with a BMI over 30 are obese.
The team found that among normal weight men 24% had a low sperm count and 2.6% had no healthy sperm. Among overweight men, 25.6% had a low sperm count and 4.7% had no healthy sperm. Among obese men, 32.4% had a low sperm count and 6.9% had no healthy sperm. The authors explain that the link between obesity and male fertility is because adipose tissue is able to convert the male hormone testosterone into the female hormone estrogen. And the hormone leptin produced by fat cells can damage sperm cells or the cells that produce sperm. Or it could be due to the increased temperature in the scrotum, due to more fatty tissue, which damages the sperm cells.

3. Male Infertility Test

3.1 Questions and exams
Your doctor will start with a physical exam and ask you questions about your lifestyle and medical history, such as:
Surgery you've had The type of medication you're taking use Exercise habits Do you smoke or use drugs Your doctor will also ask about your sex life, including problems you are having or whether you have or have ever had STDs ( sexually transmitted diseases).
3.2 Test
Semen analysis (or semen analysis): is the most common technique when testing male fertility and helps to determine if male infertility factors are present. Sperm are placed in a sample vial and given to a laboratory technician to examine the sperm under a microscope to assess the number, shape, appearance, and motility of the sperm.
Blood tests: If the sperm count is low, your doctor will likely check your blood levels of testosterone, FSH, LH, and prolactin.
Urinalysis can be used to look for white blood cells that indicate possible infection. Urinalysis will also reveal the presence of sperm in the urine, which may be caused by retrograde ejaculation.
Sperm agglutination : This test examines sperm under a microscope to determine if the sperm has clumped together. The clumping prevents sperm from swimming through the cervical mucus.
Hemizona test (Acrosome reaction): The purpose of the test is to check if sperm can penetrate the outermost protective layer of the egg.
Acrosome reaction : This test helps determine if the sperm head can undergo the chemical changes needed to dissolve the hard outer shell of the egg.
HOS-Test technique (Hypo-osmotic Swelling Test): The test uses a special solution of sugar and salt to evaluate the sperm tail and the ability of the sperm to penetrate the egg. The tail of healthy sperm tends to swell in solution and is the opposite of dead or abnormal sperm.
Testicular biopsy: A small piece of tissue is removed from the tube in the testicle and examined to determine how sperm is being produced.
Computed tomography: X-rays are used to determine if there is a blockage or leak of sperm in the vas deferens.
Ultrasound: This technique is used to locate lesions or blockages in the male reproductive tract, including the prostate, seminal vesicles, and ejaculatory ducts.

4. Infertility treatments being done in men

Treatment depends on the cause of male infertility.
4.1 Assisted Reproduction
This treatment involves helping your wife get pregnant through:
Artificial insemination : This is done by placing lots of healthy male sperm at the entrance of the neck uterus or the first part of the uterus. The sperm can then travel to the fallopian tubes. Use methods like IVF, GIFT and others. In vitro fertilization (IVF) and gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT) work the same way as artificial insemination. The doctor collects the man's sperm. Then mix your wife's eggs with lots of high-quality sperm. Mixing eggs and sperm can take place in a lab or in a fallopian tube. Injecting sperm into the egg cytoplasm (English name is intra cytoplasmic sperm injection and abbreviated as ICSI). The doctor will inject a sperm into the egg and then, the fertilization process will be monitored under a microscope. In the next step, the doctor will place the fertilized egg in the uterus of the wife or surrogate. 4.2 Drugs
Hormonal treatment can be effective if you have a hormonal disorder that leads to infertility. Hormonal imbalances can affect how sperm develops. Treatment may include gonadotropin therapy or antibiotics.

4.2 Surgery
Surgery is used to correct problems that prevent sperm from being made, matured, or ejaculated. In addition, surgery is also used to remove twisted veins, varicose veins to help improve sperm quality.
Vinmec Reproductive Support Center - Vinmec International General Hospital is the leading modern center in Vietnam built and applied a treatment process that combines comprehensive examination, combining both Orthodontics and Obstetrics and Gynecology. department to come up with the optimal plan for each patient case. Up to now, Vinmec IVF fertility center has performed fertility support for over 1000 infertile couples with a success rate of 45%-50%. This rate is equivalent to developed countries such as the UK, USA, Australia, etc. With a high level of expertise and experience, Vinmec's team of experts is capable of implementing co-production. Comprehensive and comprehensive set of today's most advanced assisted reproductive techniques, helping to realize the dream of parenthood of hundreds of families across Vietnam.
To register for examination and treatment at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact Vinmec Health System nationwide, or register online HERE.
References: webmd.com, mayoclinic.org, livescience.com
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