Infertility affects about 15 percent 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