INFERTILITY IN MALE

Learn About Infertility, Male

What is Infertility, Male?
Conceiving a child is always far from predictable, but when a couple has not succeeded after a year of having sex without any form of contraception--especially during the woman's most fertile days of the month--there may be a fertility problem. It was previously believed that the inability to conceive occurred equally in males and females. However, a multi-center study by the World Health Organization found that males contribute to a couple’s infertility less frequently than females. The study found that about 20% of cases are attributable to the male and 38% to the female while both partners are infertile in 27% of cases: in the remaining 15% of cases, the cause is unknown. (1)

In addition to inability to conceive after a year of trying, male infertility is defined by a total sperm count of less than 5 million per ml, the presence of more than 50% abnormal sperm, and/or inability of the sperm to impregnate an egg in the laboratory.

While some causes of infertility in men cannot be reversed, a diagnosis of male infertility does not always mean that conceiving a child is impossible; it simply means that becoming pregnant may be more challenging for the couple. There are many methods and technologies today that can assist in the pursuit of parenthood. Seeking professional advice early can prevent delays in the goal of starting a family.

Despite the prolonged frustration that results from infertility, the statistics are encouraging: Up to 60% of couples who haven't conceived after a year of trying will do so eventually—with or without treatment.