photo taken from news.nationalgeographic.com
Infertility is the incapability of a couple to conceive a baby after 12 months of frequent and unprotected sexual intercourse. This inability may be a result of underlying conditions suffered by either partner. Although it is more common among women, cases of male infertilities also plague numerous couples.
Male fertility issues may involve a man’s inability to impregnate his partner due to some problems in his reproductive system. As of today, around 30% of infertility cases are caused by factors involving the male partner while another 30% is rooted from female factors. The remaining percentage, on the other hand, is caused by reproductive health factors coming from both sides.
Male infertility may stem from several health issues, diseases and other reasons. To better understand the various male infertility symptoms, they are categorized into four types of infertility problems: sperm transport problems, testicular problems, ejaculatory problems and hormonal problems.
Sperm Transport
Male fertility may be affected by certain problems involving sperm transport. Problems under this category refer to the blockage of ducts, resembling the effects of vasectomy. This condition may inhibit the mixture of sperm cells with the semen during ejaculation, thus causing sterility. Unless a vasectomy was done earlier on purpose, men should have their semen and sperm count checked in order to track down a possible blockage.
Testicular Factors
Symptoms of problems involving the testicles may include:
- Small testicles
- Lop-sided or asymmetrical testicles
- Abnormal sperm cells
- High FSH levels
- Masses physically found around the scrotum
- Ejaculation and urinating problems
- Swelling of the testicles
- Undescended testicles – this can normally be treated at birth. If not, a seeming empty scrotal sac will be present.
Hormonal Factors
Men experiencing infertility may have problems regarding their testosterone, LH and FSH hormone levels. Men with hormonal problems may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Impotence
- Accelerated sexual maturation (in young boys)
- Shakiness, muscle weakness or jumpy reflexes
- Insomnia
- Pattern changes in hair growth
- Changes in voice
- Restlessness or agitation
- Low or no sperm count
- No production of testosterone hormones
- Small and soft testicles
- Increased levels of prolactin or testosterone
- Large pituitary glands
Ejaculatory Factors
Male infertility caused by factors involving semen ejaculation is characterized by the following male infertility symptoms.
- Having orgasms minus semen ejaculation
- difficulty in maintaining an erection
- having whitish or milky urine after an
These ejaculatory factors can get in the way of conceiving a child since the transfer of semen to the female womb is necessary for fertilization.
Tags: Infertility, Male fertility, male infertility symptoms
