Infertility due to male factors is on the rise, including couples who are unable to conceive due to health reasons involving their male partners. Many people have the misconception that infertility is only related to female reproductive problems, but recent statistics have proven otherwise.
Several factors can result in male infertility, such as low sperm production, poor sperm quality, or abnormal morphology.
There are a number of procedures and treatments which may increase the chance of having a child with your partner.
Looking to gather more details on male infertility and how to overcome it with IVF treatment. Keep reading to learn how IVF can alleviate male infertility issues.
What is Male Infertility?
Infertility in men is the inability to produce sperm or to produce sperm that is strong enough to fertilize a woman’s egg. The inability of a couple to get pregnant after twelve months of consistent non-contraceptive sexual activity is called infertility.
40% of infertile couples experience male infertility as a contributing factor.
What are the reasons behind Male Infertility?
There are a few main reasons that can lead to male infertility. Let us have a look at a few of its reasons:
- A condition known as varicoceles, caused by abnormally enlarged veins in the testicles, is the most common cause of male infertility. This can lead to low sperm production and poor-quality sperm.
- Chromosome or genetic issues can affect sperm production, resulting in fewer sperm and a lower concentration in semen.
- Additionally, sperm with lower motility (mobility) will most likely find it challenging to enter and endure a woman’s egg.
- Unevenness in testosterone or some other hormones.
- A purely natural physiological congestion – or clinical vasectomy – in male tubes (vas deferens) that bear sperm from the testicles to blend with semen before ejaculation.
- Physical or psychological issues can also result in impotence or infertility in males.
- Treatment of malignancy may lead to infertility in men.
Why should patients consider IVF for male infertility?
An egg produced from sperm with a sperm count below 10 million per mL is less likely to result in a pregnancy. This is relatable for patients undertaking timed intercourse and intrauterine insemination (IUI).
The In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) process on the other hand allows fast-moving sperm to be combined with each egg. A process such as this greatly increases the likelihood of fertilization.
Evaluating male factor infertility:
Men suspected of infertility must undergo comprehensive examinations, physical tests, and several semen analyses to determine their fertility status. In addition, it may be necessary to perform additional tests and evaluations under certain conditions.
When a man has a very low sperm count and poor sperm motility, karyotypic abnormalities should be considered. Previously, in-vitro fertilization was considered contraindicated for men with infertility due to abnormal sperms that may not be able to fertilize female eggs.
When to consider IVF?
Over the past decade, IVF has proven beneficial to many couples struggling with infertility due to male factor infertility. In addition, IVF is often considered for male infertility under the following circumstances:
- The condition of male sperm has poor quality, including poor motility, low concentration, and poor morphology.
- IVF is also beneficial to men whose sperms are not obstructive or are of poor quality. They typically produce a reduced amount of sperm and an absence of sperm in their urine.
- Having undergone chemotherapy, some men may also show a decrease in the quantity and quality of sperm.
- In addition, men who have undergone vasectomies and don’t want to reverse them can go for IVF.
What are the steps involved in IVF to help men overcome infertility problems?
IVF is a complex process that involves multiple steps. Therefore, every patient will be carefully guided by their fertility doctors.
- Female partners will take medications to stimulate ovarian function. This aims to help her ovaries produce as many eggs as they can.
- The woman will then undergo a short, outpatient procedure to retrieve her mature eggs before fertilization in the lab.
- Once the above step is completed, the woman will have to undergo the short, outpatient procedure to retrieve mature eggs before fertilization in the lab.
- A male partner’s sperm will be combined with the eggs on-site or at home by the embryologists. To facilitate fertilization, they might use ICSI.
- The fertility doctor will monitor the female partner for pregnancy and any embryos transferred during the transfer.
Treatments for male infertility
Those males experiencing infertility, consulting an IVF expert is vital in making male infertility treatment as successful as possible. An In Vitro Fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection involves injecting a healthy sperm into an egg to create an embryo, then implanted into the woman’s uterus.
In addition to IVF treatments, medications and hormone therapy can also be used to alter fertility levels caused by high or low hormone levels.
Final Words
Getting confused with choosing the right IVF treatment in Punjab?
No worries! Vardaan Medical Center has a team of highly qualified IVF specialists, who have given several couples the joy of having a child.
So schedule an appointment today before things get more critical!
FAQs
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