Infertility affects about 15% of couples who decide to have children. In about half of all couples who have difficulty conceiving, infertility is related to male reproductive issues.

Causes

Causes of male infertility include:

  • Sperm disorders
  • Retrograde ejaculation
  • Obstructions
  • Male autoimmunologic response to sperm
  • Testosterone deficiency
  • Impaired sperm production
  • Impaired sperm delivery
  • Injury
  • Chemotherapy
  • Varicocele
  • Glandular malformation
  • Testicular cancer
  • Disorders of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
  • Prostatitis or other infection

Medications for hypertension, arthritis, depression and digestive disorders may also cause infertility in men.

Diagnosis

To diagnose infertility, your physician will review the combined results of a complete medical history and physical exam, laboratory blood work, semen analysis, sperm-penetration assay (SPA) and in some cases, testicular biopsy.

If male infertility is diagnosed, Memorial Hermann offers a range of treatment to treat the cause, including:

  • Medication
  • Surgery if indicated