Male infertility refers to a condition where a couple is unable to achieve pregnancy due to a semen-related problem.
This may be due to abnormalities in sperm count, motility or morphology, as well as other factors that have been investigated in recent years.
Infertility can have a significant emotional impact on those affected.
Male infertility can result from various factors. Once the cause of infertility is identified, an appropriate, personalised treatment can be recommended. In many cases, no easily treatable cause is found.
In these cases, a testicular biopsy may be performed in an attempt to retrieve sperm.
Male factor infertility accounts for about 40% of infertility cases, while altered semen quality affects almost half of couples experiencing difficulties conceiving. As male factors can reduce the chances of natural conception, a thorough assessment of the male partner is important.
Diagnosis involves taking a comprehensive medical history, including personal and family medical history, sexual history, the use of substances that may affect fertility, such as alcohol, tobacco or drugs, and possible exposure to high temperatures or radiation.
A detailed physical examination may also be carried out to assess phenotype, secondary sexual characteristics and organs such as the penis, prostate and testicles.
If pregnancy efforts have been unsuccessful, the man should undergo necessary tests to determine if male infertility is involved. The aim of diagnosing male infertility is to identify the factor preventing conception and determine its underlying cause as accurately as possible, so that appropriate, personalised treatment can be recommended.
Sperm production relies on the action of sex hormones, so hormonal imbalances may contribute to poor sperm quality. Certain factors affecting sperm quality may not be reflected in a conventional semen analysis.
Some factors influence sperm quality and are not reflected in a conventional semen analysis. An advanced semen analysis provides a more detailed assessment and includes a series of tests to evaluate sperm quality at a microscopic level. This test is primarily conducted when standard semen analysis reveals altered parameters.
IVF-Life's laboratory offers advanced semen analysis, which assesses sperm function and includes:
Treatment options for male infertility include:
Hormone therapy is an effective treatment for male infertility caused by hormonal imbalances. Approximately 2% of male infertility cases result from hormonal issues.
Scientific studies show that 50% to 70% of patients experience improved sperm production and quality following hormonal treatment.
Despite positive outcomes, hormonal therapy does not guarantee a successful pregnancy in all cases, so alternative treatments may also be necessary.
IVF is an assisted reproduction technique used to treat both male and female infertility.
It may be used in cases involving altered sperm parameters, including reduced sperm motility.
ICSI is an advanced assisted reproduction technique that has revolutionised the treatment of male infertility.
Unlike conventional IVF, ICSI involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg and may be recommended in cases of low sperm concentration or altered sperm quality.
Sperm donation is a treatment option for cases where conception is not possible using the patient’s sperm. Approximately 5% of couples attending assisted reproduction clinics turn to sperm donation.
The success rate of artificial insemination using donor sperm is around 60% in women under 35 years of age.
Addressing male infertility involves not only finding appropriate medical solutions but also providing emotional support to patients and their partners. At IVF-Life, we offer personalised care with an empathetic approach, treating each case with discretion and understanding.
Specialist guidance is crucial to help patients achieve successful outcomes. Communication between partners is essential to overcome the challenges associated with male infertility.
Find answers to your questions
To achieve optimal results, our laboratory uses state-of-the-art tools to ensure excellence in fertility treatments. ZyMōt Multi devices, based on fluidic technology, enable sperm selection using an innovative method. This allows our team to choose the most suitable sperm for fertility treatments.
Yes, in certain cases it is possible to achieve pregnancy despite male infertility. Everything depends on the degree of alteration in semen quality and the presence of sperm with fertilising capacity. Even when semen parameters are altered, a natural pregnancy may still occur.
When sperm concentration or motility is very low, assisted reproduction techniques can increase the chances of success. Treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) make it possible to select the most suitable sperm and facilitate fertilisation of the egg in the laboratory.
In some cases, specific techniques may also be used to obtain sperm directly from the testicle or improve sperm selection, such as testicular sperm aspiration (TESA), thus optimising the chances of pregnancy.