Can My Male Partner’s Infertility Be Corrected?

Every couple’s fertility journey involves the fertility of both the male and female. Infertility is often a complex problem. Before you place the blame on one partner, it’s important to know what you’re facing. 

If we’ve already determined that the male partner has fertility issues, you have a lot of options. Dr. Edward J. Ramirez of The Fertility & Gynecology Center - Monterey Bay IVF explains more.

The causes of male infertility

Male factor infertility is usually due to one or more of the following issues.

Low sperm count

A low sperm count is defined as having fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. The problem is surprisingly common. Some of the causes of low sperm counts include the following:

• Genetics
• Obesity
• Previous infections, which can damage the male reproductive system
• Swollen veins that drain the testicles, a condition called varicocele
• Issues with ejaculation or erections (such as those caused by diabetes or spinal injuries)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Medical treatments such as chemotherapy or certain medications or procedures

If your partner has a low sperm count, it may be correctable, depending on the cause.

Poor sperm motility

Sperm motility refers to how easily the sperm moves within the semen. If the problem is correctly identified, poor sperm motility is often correctable.

Poor sperm morphology

Morphology refers to the sperm’s shape. When the shape of the sperm is irregular, it makes conception more difficult. Unfortunately, the importance of sperm morphology is poorly understood, even by fertility experts. It ultimately says virtually nothing about your male partner’s ability to conceive a child.

Other causes of male factor infertility include health history, environmental causes, and prior injuries. We’ll discuss your individual case with you to provide the best course of action.

Best practices for improving sperm count and quality

While we work on getting to the bottom of your partner’s sperm count and quality — as well as how to deal with either or both issues — he can take some steps that could improve the sperm: 

• Get regular exercise
• Take supplements of D-aspartic acid, an amino acid
• Minimize stress and take time to relax
• Get enough of vitamins C and D
• Take zinc supplements

He might consider taking other supplements that we can discuss. 

Your partner is infertile — now what?

If your male partner is infertile, you may feel panicked. But rest assured that we can take many steps to help with the problem.  

The first step is to undergo testing. Your partner will have a series of tests, which usually begin with a comprehensive semen analysis. 

If we determine that your partner’s semen is sufficient to proceed with conception, we can concentrate the sperm and insert it into your uterus. This procedure is called intrauterine insemination (IUI). 

If we determine that your partner’s semen is not likely to result in pregnancy, we may recommend using donor sperm. 

If your male partner is infertile, you may still have a lot of options. To learn about how we can help, make an appointment with us today. Call our Monterey, California office or request an appointment online.