FirstMed Consulting Blog

It is defined as the inability to fertilize the ovum, while male sterility is defined as the lack of sperm production.

Many factors can influence a man’s fertility such as:

Having a history of past illnesses including STD’s, mumps, undescended testes, structural or anatomical problems.
Seminal duct blockages or presence of a variocele
Prescription drugs, antihypertensives and anti-inflamitories reduce sperm count. Antihistamines decrease the amount of seminal fluid
Abnormalities of sperm count, mobility or morphology
Lifestyle factors including: Stress, lack of sleep, poor diet, or overuse of alcohol, nicotine or marijuana
Immune factors i.e.: antisperm antibodies which kill sperm before they can reach the egg
Low testosterone levels or other endocrine related issues
Testicular trauma

How is infertility diagnosed?
When male infertility is suspected the first tests performed will be a semen analysis. This evaluates the three major areas of sperm quality and quantity.

Sperm count: normal range is forty to three hundred million per milliliter of ejaculate; a low sperm count is fewer than twenty million per milliliter of ejaculate

Motility: low sperm motility may reduce the chances of conception especially when combined with a low sperm count

Morphology: sperm which do not have normal morphology are unable to swim effectively to penetrate an egg Sperm chromatin structural assay measures the level of DNA fragmentation in the sperm which studies suggest may serve as a predictor of reduced male fertility

Treatment of male infertility
Treatment of male infertility focuses on assisted reproduction techniques, primarily intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization. Surgical intervention may be required to treat structural problems such as large varioceles.

Chinese Medical Treatment of male infertility
Chinese medicine can help the body to increase sperm production and quality and to resolve hormonal factors that may be affecting a man’s fertility. Mechanical blockages can be improved by using abdominal massage, herbs and acupuncture, particularly in cases in which surgery is not required. Increased blood flow to the pelvic organs can improve sexual function as well as fertility issues.