Understanding Signs of Male Infertility

Male infertility is a horror that can shatter a man’s dreams and blow up his relationship. Procreating a successor for the family and having a fulfilling relationship is paramount for any man. But life can get difficult if infertility strikes. In men, it is tough to recognize as many people don’t even show direct symptoms until they opt to conceive. Hence, let’s discuss the signs of infertility that you should be aware of and what prevention methods you can use to counter it.

Symptoms of Male Infertility

Hormonal imbalance

According to experts, men’s fertility can be affected by a variety of hormonal imbalances. Testosterone is a vital hormone that complements male fertility and if you face an issue related to testes that produce this hormone, then it may cause problems. Sperm and testosterone production may also be hampered by malfunctioning of the pituitary gland in our brain. The pituitary gland produces two hormones- luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone which signals the testicles to produce sperm and testosterone. Hence, you may have infertility if this gland is not in the right condition.

Difficulty in ejaculation

If you find it difficult to ejaculate or notice changes in this process such as drop in the volume of sperm, it may also be a warning sign of an underlying condition related to infertility.

Erectile dysfunction

Inability to get an erection or maintaining it can be caused due to psychological factors, physical issues and hormonal changes. Underlying health issues like diabetes or heart diseases may also be the causes behind things turning this way.

Changes in testicles

One of the most significant aspects of male fertility are healthy testicles. According to healthcare experts, swollen, painful or tender testicles can be caused due to an underlying issue such as an infection which can also hurt male fertility and quality of sperm. If your testicles are small or feel tight, it may be a sign of hormonal issues.

Obesity

As per various studies, being overweight has been associated with sexual dysfunction and reduced sperm quality. So, if you have an unhealthy body weight, then you are prone to suffer from infertility.

Stress 

Stress can degrade the quality of sperm and semen. According to medical experts, stress can activate release of glucocorticoids – steroid hormones which affect metabolism of fats, carbs and proteins. It can reduce sperm production and testosterone and can cause infertility in males.

Alcohol consumption and smoking

Smoking, consumption of alcohol and drug addiction may also lead you to infertility as it disrupts proper functioning of biological processes.

Precautionary Measures and The Way Forward

At the individual level, one can take certain preventive measures to avoid infertility. You should wear loose underwear to safeguard your testicular health, exercise every day to shed weight and must have a healthy diet. Avoiding stress, alcohol, smoking and drug addiction must also top your list.

Infertility can be detrimental to self-confidence and relationships, but it is nothing to be ashamed of and is curable! With so much advancement in the medical field, there are various medical treatments that can correct the male infertility.  So, go ahead, seek medical consultation if the problem is persisting and creating dents in your life.