Infertility In Men: Signs To Look Out For

Contrary to the common belief held by the average Nigerian, women are not the automatic cause of infertility. Global statistics show that female factors indeed cause one-third of infertility cases. However, one-third of infertility is also attributable to male factors, while the other one-third of cases are a combination of factors affecting both the male and female partners. A small percentage is caused by unknown causes.

Irregular menses, amenorrhea (lack of menstruation), abnormal bleeding, obesity and hair overgrowth are some of the common symptoms that cause women to visit their gynaecologist. Many people are aware of the symptoms of possible reproductive challenges in women, but most do not know what to look out for in men facing infertility.

In this article, we will highlight some signs of possible infertility or subfertility in men.

What is Infertility in Men?

Infertility is the inability to conceive a baby after one year of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse in adults of reproductive age. It is a common issue that can affect both men and women. Male infertility can be a combination of several factors, and visiting a doctor can help with diagnosis and treatment.

4 Signs of Infertility in Men

Male infertility can be caused by one or more of the following;

1 – Low Sex Drive

Do you know that low libido could be a pointer to fertility issues? Testosterone directly controls sex drive. Low testosterone levels lead to reduced sex drive.

Testosterone also facilitates sperm production in the testes; a reduction in hormone levels can lead to reduced sperm production.

Therefore, if you are experiencing a low libido, it could mean that your testosterone and, therefore your sperm production levels are suboptimal, which may indicate infertility in men.

2 – Gynaecomastia

Both men and women have breast tissues; however, the tissues are typically not well developed in men. When an adult male begins to have larger-than-expected breasts, it is often a pointer to an underlying issue. Common causes include liver problems and side effects of some drugs like anti-TB drug (isoniazid), cimetidine, and antihypertensive drugs like spironolactone.

Gynaecomastia can also mean that there is an alteration of the normal estrogen – testosterone levels in a man. When a man’s blood estrogen levels are higher than normal, it alters sperm production and can cause infertility in men.

Excessive loss of body hair, reduction in beard growth, and loss of lean muscle mass are also signs of increased estrogen levels in a man.

3 – Scrotal Swelling

There are many causes of swelling in the scrotum. One common cause is varicocele.

Varicoceles are enlarged spermatic veins that can shrink the testes and cause fertility problems. Varicoceles typically present as a mass in the scrotum (usually one-sided) just beside the testis, which may reduce in size when laying down or raising the scrotal sac. There could also be a dragging sensation or a dull pain.

Varicocele is a common cause of male infertility, present in 35 to 44 percent of men with primary infertility and 45 to 81 percent of men with secondary infertility.

4 – Dry Ejaculation

A man has dry ejaculation when he releases little to no semen after orgasm. This is a symptom of a condition called retrograde ejaculation.

In retrograde ejaculation, semen flows backwards into the bladder instead of coming out through the penis and into the vagina. When semen cannot reach the vagina, pregnancy cannot occur.

Neuromuscular issues affecting the bladder neck is the primary cause of dry ejaculation. People with this condition may also notice cloudy urine (containing semen) after sex.

What Should You Do If You Notice Male Infertility?

If you and your partner have been trying to get pregnant for over a year but are unable to do so, you should visit your doctor. Your doctor can run diagnostic tests to identify the cause of infertility in men. They may recommend lifestyle changes and medication to help treat this condition. You may also undergo surgery or use assisted reproductive technology (ART), depending on the severity of your condition.

A word from Healthfacts

Fertility problems in men are as common as those in women. Unfortunately, in most cases, male infertility cannot go away on its own. It is best to visit your doctor if you have fertility concerns, whether you have the discussed signs or not. Infertility in men is crucial to address early.

Till next time,

Dr Ezinne Ejele.

Quiz: Do you know what your urine colour means?