Overview
Male infertility will cause a couple to be unable to conceive a child even though they've had frequent, unprotected sexual intercourse for a year or longer. Male infertility which can be caused by low sperm production, abnormal sperm function, or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm, will stop you from impregnating a female. Illnesses, injuries, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices, and other factors may contribute to male infertility. Diagnosing male infertility begins with a complete physical examination to determine the patient's general state of health and also identify any physical problems that may impact their fertility. Male infertility is more common in environments with high levels of environmental pollution, including water contaminants, pesticides, and herbicides.
About Male Infertility
In most cases, issues such as an inherited disorder, hormonal imbalance, dilated veins around the testicle, or a condition that blocks the passage of sperm cause signs and symptoms. The signs and symptoms of male infertility to look out for include:
Problems with sexual function —difficulty with ejaculation or small volumes of fluid ejaculated reduced sexual desire, or difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
Pain, swelling, or a lump in the testicle area
Recurrent respiratory infections
Inability to smell
Abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia)
Decreased facial or body hair or other signs of a chromosomal or hormonal abnormality
A lower-than-normal sperm count (fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen or a total sperm count of less than 39 million per ejaculate)
Treatments for male infertility include surgery (vasectomy reverse), treating infection (antibiotics), Treatments for sexual intercourse problems (erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation), Hormone treatments and medications, and Assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Affecting Factors of Male Infertility
Male fertility is not only influenced by the direct factors related to sperm quality and quantity but also by the indirect factors that affect the overall health and well-being of a man. Some of the indirect factors that can harm male fertility are:
Lifestyle factors: These include being overweight or obese, smoking, excessive alcohol use, marijuana use, exposure to testosterone, radiation, frequent high temperatures, certain medications, or environmental toxins. These factors can impair sperm production, function, or delivery, as well as cause hormonal imbalances or oxidative stress.
Age: As men get older, their sperm quality and quantity tend to decline. This can be due to the natural aging process, or to the accumulation of genetic or environmental damage over time. Older men may also have lower sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, or other health problems that can affect their fertility.
Psychological stress: Stress can have a detrimental effect on male fertility by affecting the hormonal balance, the immune system, the sexual performance, or the sperm quality. Stress can be caused by various factors, such as work, family, finances, or infertility itself.
Diet and nutrition: A balanced and healthy diet is essential for maintaining optimal male fertility. A diet that is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids can protect the sperm from oxidative damage and improve their motility and morphology. A diet that is high in fat, sugar, or processed foods can have the opposite effect and reduce sperm quality and quantity.
Male fertility can be improved by addressing the indirect factors that affect it. This can be done by adopting a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, avoiding harmful substances, and eating a nutritious diet. These measures can not only enhance the chances of conceiving a child but also improve the overall health and quality of life of a man.
Signs of male Infertility
Male infertility manifests in various ways, although the primary sign is the inability to conceive a child despite frequent, unprotected sexual intercourse for a year or longer. Here are common signs and symptoms:
Low Libido: Reduced sexual desire may indicate underlying fertility issues.
Erectile Dysfunction: Difficulties achieving or maintaining an erection can impact fertility.
Ejaculation Problems: Issues with ejaculation, such as premature or delayed ejaculation, may contribute to infertility.
Testicular Discomfort: Pain, swelling, or discomfort in the testicle area warrants attention.
Testicular Atrophy: Shrinking of the testicles can be a sign of fertility problems.
Chronic Dull, Aching Pain: Persistent discomfort in the genital region should prompt evaluation.
Male Infertility in Iran
Equipped hospitals, clinics, and advanced specialized centers with experienced doctors and specialists are available in all medical treatment areas in Iran. Also, good hotels and entertainment centers have made Iran an appropriate choice for patients who are suffering from male infertility.
How Much Does Male Infertility Treatment Cost in Iran
The cost of male infertility diagnosis in Iran is remarkably affordable. On average, it ranges from around 500 USD, depending on various factors such as the city where you undergo the evaluation, the specific doctor's fees, required medications, and clinic facilities. Iran is known for its progress in infertility treatments, high success rates, and a long history of offering IVF services. Choosing Iran for male infertility diagnosis provides quality care at a fraction of the cost compared to other countries. Iran has the most skilled and experienced reproductive endocrinologists and offers the best medical services at affordable prices. The average cost of male infertility treatment in Iran is as follows:
Medication: The cost of medication for male infertility in Iran is around 500 USD, depending on the type and duration of the medication.
Surgery: The cost of surgery for male infertility in Iran is around 1500 USD, depending on the type and complexity of the surgery.
Assisted reproductive techniques: The cost of assisted reproductive techniques for male infertility in Iran is around 2500-3500 USD, depending on the type and number of cycles.
The overall cost of having infertility treatments in Iran is up to 70% lower than in other countries. This cost includes the clinic, surgeon fees, operating room, preoperative tests, medications, and laboratory tests. It also includes the travel costs, such as flight, accommodation, visa, translator, and transportation.
Male Infertility Cause & Treatment
Causes of Male Infertility
Male infertility is a condition that affects the ability of a man to father a child. It can be caused by various factors, such as problems with sperm production, sperm function, sperm delivery, or hormonal balance. Some of the common causes of male infertility are:
Sperm disorders: This refers to any abnormality in the number, shape, or movement of sperm. Sperm disorders can be caused by genetic defects, infections, varicoceles, exposure to toxins, or lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol, or drugs.
Varicoceles: These are swollen veins in the scrotum that can impair the cooling of the testicles and affect sperm quality. Varicoceles are present in about 15% of men and in 40% of men with infertility.
Retrograde ejaculation: This is a condition where semen flows backward into the bladder instead of out of the penis during ejaculation. Retrograde ejaculation can be caused by diabetes, spinal cord injury, surgery, or medication.
Immunologic infertility: This is a condition where the immune system produces antibodies that attack the sperm and reduce their ability to fertilize an egg. Immunologic infertility can be triggered by infection, injury, or vasectomy.
Obstruction: This is a condition where there is a blockage or absence of the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis. Obstruction can be caused by congenital defects, infection, inflammation, or surgery.
Hormones: Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate the production and function of sperm. Hormonal imbalances can be caused by disorders of the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal gland, or testicles.
Medication: Some medications can affect sperm quality or quantity, such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, antipsychotics, chemotherapy, or steroids.
Male infertility can be diagnosed by a physical examination, medical history, semen analysis, blood tests, or imaging tests. Depending on the cause and severity of the condition, male infertility can be treated by medication, surgery, assisted reproductive techniques, or lifestyle changes.
How is Male Infertility Diagnosed?
Diagnosing male infertility involves several steps to identify potential causes. These include:
General Physical Examination and Medical History: Your doctor examines your genitals and asks about inherited conditions, chronic health problems, illnesses, injuries, or surgeries that could affect fertility.
Semen Analysis: Semen samples are collected either by masturbation or using a special condom during intercourse. The lab analyzes sperm count, shape (morphology), movement (motility), and checks for infections. Multiple tests over time ensure accurate results.
Scrotal Ultrasound: High-frequency sound waves create images of the testicles and supporting structures. Detects issues like varicoceles (swollen veins) or other abnormalities.
Transrectal Ultrasound: A lubricated wand inserted into the rectum allows visualization of the prostate and checks for blockages in semen-carrying tubes.
Hormone Testing: Measures testosterone and other hormones produced by the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and testicles. Abnormalities in hormonal systems may contribute to infertility.
Post-Ejaculation Urinalysis: Detects retrograde ejaculation (sperm traveling backward into the bladder instead of out the penis).
Genetic Tests: For extremely low sperm concentration, blood tests reveal Y chromosome changes or genetic abnormalities.
Different methods of Male Infertility treatment
Depending on the cause and severity of the condition, male infertility can be treated by different methods, such as:
Medication: Some medicines can help improve sperm quality or quantity, stimulate ovulation in women, or treat underlying conditions that affect fertility, such as infections, hormonal imbalances, or erectile dysfunction. Some examples of medicines used for male infertility are clomiphene, tamoxifen, metformin, gonadotrophins, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, and dopamine agonists.
Surgery: Some surgical procedures can help correct or repair anatomic abnormalities or damage to the reproductive organs, such as varicoceles, endometriosis, fibroids, PCOS, or obstruction of the seminal ducts. Surgery can also be used to retrieve sperm from the testicles or the epididymis if there is a problem with ejaculation or sperm production.
Assisted reproductive techniques (ART): These are medical procedures that involve manipulating the sperm, the egg, or the embryo outside the body to increase the chance of conception. Some examples of ART are intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and testicular sperm extraction (TESE).
Third-party assistance: This is when a couple uses a third party to donate sperm or eggs or carry a pregnancy. This can be an option if the male partner has no sperm, low-quality sperm, or a genetic disorder that can be passed on to the offspring. Some examples of third-party assistance are sperm donation, egg donation, surrogacy, and adoption.
The choice of treatment for male infertility depends on the individual situation, the preferences of the couple, the availability of the services, and the cost of the treatment. A doctor can advise on the best option for each case and provide information on the benefits, risks, and success rates of each treatment.
