Infertility is the inability to conceive a child despite regular and unprotected sexual intercourse for one year. Infertility can be caused by factors related to both men and women.

Signs of Infertility in Men

There are no specific symptoms of infertility in men. However, if pregnancy does not occur within one year despite regular and unprotected intercourse, infertility should be considered.

Additionally, many underlying health issues can cause infertility in men. Recognizing symptoms of these conditions can help diagnose infertility more quickly. Especially pain, swelling, or discharge in the testicular area may indicate infertility.

Causes of Infertility in Men

Many factors ranging from lifestyle to congenital causes can lead to infertility. Particularly, pituitary gland disorders, tumors, blood flow problems, radiotherapy, or surgical interventions can cause infertility.

Hormonal imbalances as well as all issues affecting testicular function are among the main causes of infertility. Undescended testes, exposure to toxic substances (radiotherapy/chemotherapy/lead-battery-mercury industry workers, etc.), high temperatures, insecticides, chemical agents; genetic defects, insufficient testosterone secretion, and any condition that prevents the sperm produced in the testes from being released through the male genital system are causes of post-testicular infertility. All disorders affecting sperm count and quality also prevent conception.

How is Infertility Diagnosed in Men?

Individuals unable to conceive should consult a specialized doctor. Then, tests are performed simultaneously on both partners. The first test for men is semen analysis.

The male patient should abstain from sexual activity for three days before the semen analysis and then provide a semen sample. This sample is analyzed for sperm condition, and appropriate treatment, diagnosis, and planning are initiated.

How is Infertility Treated in Men?

Treatment of male infertility is planned according to the underlying causes. Whether sperm is present in the ejaculate and sperm quality are assessed to determine the appropriate treatment method. The following treatments can be applied for male infertility:

• Medication for infertility
• Injection therapy for infertility
• Insemination method
• Assisted reproductive techniques, commonly known as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF),
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI),
• Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection (IMSI),
• Micro-TESE procedures.