Male Infertility

The main indication of male infertility is not being able to get your female partner pregnant after 12 months.

In most cases, there won’t be any physical symptoms, but depending on the cause of infertility, you may notice:

• problems with sexual function – such as erectile dysfunction (ED), trouble ejaculating, and low libido

• pain, swelling, or a lump in a testicle

• regular respiratory infections

• not being able to smell as well

• headaches

• visual changes

• abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia)

• less facial or body hair

Most cases of male infertility are caused by problems with sperm, including immature sperm, abnormally-shaped sperm (teratospermia), poor sperm motility (asthenospermia), low sperm count (oligospermia), and having no sperm in your semen (azoospermia).

In 1 in 4 cases of male infertility in the UK is unexplained, meaning no known cause of infertility can be found in either partner.

Medical factors can affect the health of your sperm, which include:

• sexual function conditions, such as ED

• infections or inflammatory conditions, such as mumps

• hormonal disorders affecting the hypothalamus or pituitary glands

• immune problems, where you make antibodies against your own sperm

• certain genetic disorders, including Klinefelter syndrome, Y chromosome microdeletion or cystic fibrosis

• sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV

• varicocele – swelling of the veins that drain the testicle

• certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or hypogonadism

• cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgical removal of your testicles (orchidectomy)

• testicular trauma or surgery

Environmental factors can also play a role, including:

• certain gym or bodybuilding supplements

• being overweight

• smoking or vaping

• drinking a lot of alcohol

• taking drugs or steroids

• exposure to toxins, such as industrial fumes
  

Male infertility can usually be diagnosed after a set of questions, examinations, and tests. Your specialist will ask about your medical history, any symptoms you have, and how long you’ve been trying for a baby. 

They’ll then take you through a physical examination, which involves checking your testicles and penis for any lumps or abnormalities.

You may also need:

• an ultrasound scan of your testicles

• a semen analysis

• blood tests

• an STI test

It’s not always possible to prevent male infertility, but you may be able to reduce your risk by:

• avoiding or stopping smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking non-prescription drugs

• limiting your exposure to hazardous chemicals

• staying up to date with vaccines against viruses that can affect your fertility

• not exposing your testicles to heat for long periods of time, such as in saunas and hot tubs

• avoiding high-fat foods and maintaining a healthy weight

Not being able to have children naturally can be very upsetting and frustrating, especially if no cause is found. Other complications of male infertility may include stress and relationship problems, and an increased risk of testicular cancer, melanoma, colon cancer, and prostate cancer.

There are many treatment options available to help improve your chances of conceiving, which may include:

• medications for sexual problems, such as ED

• treating any infections

• treatments to control underlying conditions, such as diabetes and hormonal disorders

• microsurgery to treat varicocele

• lifestyle measures, such as stopping smoking, drinking alcohol, and not taking illicit drugs or anabolic steroids

• losing weight if you’re overweight, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced, healthy diet

• taking fertility supplements

• surgical sperm extraction from your testicle(s) – known as a mTESE procedure

• assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures – such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or IVF, to help you and your partner conceive

At Welbeck, our men’s health specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.