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We do understand that speaking with your significant other about infertility can be a pretty sensitive topic. And, while there are several stories that focus on female fertility, this topic is rarely touched upon when it comes to men. But, if you have been facing some issues, it is essential that you keep not only yourself but also your partner in mind. And, if you have already started looking out for signs that indicate infertility, there are some tell-tale symptoms that may help you understand the gravity of the problem. While there are some couples who might not experience any symptom at all, there are others who aren’t aware of what to look out for. No need to worry as we bring you here five common signs of male infertility:
1. Swelling Or Pain Down There
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Yes, there can be several reasons behind experiencing pain in that region. And, this pain may either be localized to one spot or affect in a more generalized manner. But, no matter what the situation is, it is essential that you seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing this. A few of the reasons cited for this symptom are infections, hernia, anatomical abnormalities, or even tumor (1). But, varicocele is another medical condition that might cause this symptom. This condition takes place when the veins present in the scrotum end up swelling and becoming enlarged. While it is mostly harmless, it can cause a little pain and discomfort. Also, there are chances that this might show its effect on fertility (2).
2. Altered Desire For Lovemaking
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Hormone health is also one of the factors that affect male fertility. Change in hormones might often lead to an altered virility. And, this observable change in a man’s desire for lovemaking might be indicative of his fertility (3). Male hypogonadism refers to the congenital deficiency of luteinizing hormones (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH). This can cause infertility in one to two percent of males. The hypogonadism might be congenital or may also be acquired from drugs, disease, and aging, among other factors (4).
3. Erectile Dysfunction
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This disorder might obviously show some effect on male fertility. Some men might experience dysfunction due to a few psychological issues such as guilt, anxiety, or even low self-esteem. It can be caused in others due to a physical problem like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol (5).
4. Autoimmune Issues
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There are some situations in which the immune system begins to target the sperm cells by mistake. The system considers these cells to be a foreign virus. And, this can damage the sperm as a result, thus, resulting in infertility (6).
5. Retrograde Ejaculation
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In this medical condition, the semen enters the bladder instead of coming out of the private part during ejaculation. This can happen due to several reasons such as a surgery to the bladder or prostate, particular medications, and diabetes (7).
6. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)
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There are several sexually transmitted diseases and other infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia that can result in infertility in men. But, in this scenario, the infertility issues can be resolved by providing treatment to the infection (8).
7. Sperm Health
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For fertility, it is essential that the sperms produced are healthy. There are times when there might not be enough sperm present within the semen. Or, the sperm might not be functioning well enough to reach and penetrate the egg inside a woman. Then, there are also chances that the sperm might not even reach the semen before its ejaculation.
While addressing the issue of infertility can be one of the hardest things that you might have to do, it is important that you get together and fight it out like a team. Reach out to a doctor immediately and he/she will be able to help you out with the same. Good luck!
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