Nelson Vergel
Founder, ExcelMale.com
Causes Of Male Infertility
Male infertility is most often due to three factors: 1) blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm; 2) low sperm count; and 3) misshapen or immobile sperm cells. However, because the process is so delicate, many related factors can also contribute to the overall problem including injuries, poor lifestyle habits, illnesses, and chronic health problems. More specifically, infertility causes are traditionally grouped into medical, environmental, and lifestyle categories among which are:141516171819202122232425
Medical Causes
Male infertility is most often due to three factors: 1) blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm; 2) low sperm count; and 3) misshapen or immobile sperm cells. However, because the process is so delicate, many related factors can also contribute to the overall problem including injuries, poor lifestyle habits, illnesses, and chronic health problems. More specifically, infertility causes are traditionally grouped into medical, environmental, and lifestyle categories among which are:141516171819202122232425
Medical Causes
- Hormone imbalances can result from disorders of the testicles or an abnormality affecting the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands causing a deficiency in testosterone production.26
- Sperm duct defects - tubes that carry sperm can be damaged by illness or injury. Other transport problems include a blockage near the epididymis, cystic fibrosis, and genetic conditions which cause males to be born without sperm ducts.27
- Bacterial and viral infections can cause scarring that blocks the passage of sperm, and may result from STDs including chlamydia and gonorrhea, or from inflammation prostatitis and mumps orchitis.28
- Chromosome defects can cause abnormal development of the male reproductive organs and infertility. They include Klinefelter's, Kallmann's, Young's, and Kartagener syndromes.29
- Antibodies that attack sperm are immune system cells that mistake sperm for harmful invaders and attempt to eliminate them.30
- Tumors can affect the male reproductive organs or the glands that release hormones related to reproduction.313233
- Undescended testicles34
- Problems with sexual intercourse such as painful intercourse, anatomical abnormalities like hypospadias, difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction), premature ejaculation, and psychological or relationship problems.35
- Certain medications which include anabolic steroids, testosterone replacement therapy, chemotherapy, and certain antifungal medications.36
- Varicocele - a swelling of the veins that drain the testicle, and may prevent normal testicular cooling, resulting in sperm abnormalities and lowered sperm count.37
- Ejaculation issues - retrograde ejaculation occurs when semen enters the bladder during orgasm instead of emerging out the tip of the penis. Various health conditions can cause retrograde ejaculation including diabetes, spinal injuries, medications, and surgery of the bladder, prostate or urethra. Some men with spinal cord injuries or certain diseases can't ejaculate semen, even though they still produce sperm.38
- Radiation or X-ray exposure can permanently reduce sperm production.
- Excessive heat from continuous hot tub, sauna, or laptop computer usage.
- Industrial chemical exposure to pesticides, herbicides, toluene, xylene, paint and varnish products, organic solvents, and benzenes.
- Heavy metal exposure to lead or other heavy metals.
- Prolonged bicycle seat pressure
- Excessive amounts of body fat and obesity (a BMI of 30 or greater).
- Tobacco smoking and secondhand smoke exposure.4036
- Emotional stress can interfere with sperm-producing hormone production.36
- Recreational drug use including anabolic steroids, cocaine, and marijuana can have temporarily adverse effects on sperm production.4036
- Alcohol use and liver disease caused by excessive drinking can lower testosterone levels, cause erectile dysfunction, and decrease sperm production.4036
- Certain occupations can increase your risk of infertility, including those associated with toxins, extended use of computers or video display monitors, shift work, and work-related stress.36
