Men's corner
Male infertility factors are often overlooked by couples trying to conceive, as many as half of the issues we work with relate to male fertility. It’s important to understand how the male reproductive system works, and the possible causes of infertility.
Sperm production
While a woman’s reproductive system may be more complicated, a man’s healthy sperm is just as vital a part of the equation for a couple trying to start a family. Issues with sperm are common among the couples and individuals we help.
What is a sperm?
A healthy sperm comprises the head, where the genetic material required for fertilisation is stored, the ‘neck’ or mid-piece, and the tail that propels the sperm towards the egg.
For natural conception, semen must contain more than 15 million sperm per millilitre. Of these, over 30 per cent must be able to move forward quickly, and at least four per cent must be a normal shape.
From the testes where they’re created, sperm then pass slowly through a series of long, coiled tubules called the epididymis, where they mature so they can swim to and penetrate an egg cell. They then travel via the vas deferens to the urethra, and out of the penis upon ejaculation.
The entire process of sperm formation takes about 72 days, so serious illness during this time can affect sperm quality and production for up to three months.Abnormal sperm production
The most common causes of male fertility problems are:
- Azoospermia – no sperm produced and/or found in the ejaculate.
- Oligozoospermia – where fewer spermatozoa are produced.
- Malformed sperm – in rare cases, genetic diseases may be at fault.
- Immunological infertility – when you develop antibodies against your own sperm.
- Retrograde ejaculation – where ejaculated sperm goes into the urinary bladder instead of out through the urethra.
- Blockages in the vas deferens – due to injury or reversed vasectomy
- Poor-quality sperm – for a wide range of reasons, such as a unhealthy lifestyle
The good news is, TasIVF provides assessment and treatment for all forms of male infertility, as well as helping with female fertility issues. When helping couples trying to start a family, we always assess both partners.
How does age and lifestyle affect men’s fertility?
Men produce sperm their whole lives, so age is less of an issue for men than it is for women, but the chances of conceiving and having a healthy baby are higher when both parents are younger.
The miscarriage rate, risk of autism and mental health disorders, and time to pregnancy also increases as the male partner ages.
There are also several important lifestyle factors for a man to consider when his partner is trying to conceive. We know, for example, that smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, prescription medication and recreational drugs, obesity, exposure to radiation, pollutants and pesticides, and acute viral illnesses can seriously affect sperm quality.Find out more
Most people start to consider seeking professional advice on fertility and conception if they have been trying for 12 months or more without success. It’s recommended to only wait 6 months if the female partner is over 35.
Semen Analysis
A semen analysis is the most important test used in the diagnosis of male infertility. A semen analysis checks the volume, consistency and appearance of the whole sample prior to assessing the sperm themselves.
Male Fertility Assessment
By providing us with some details of your lifestyle and medical history we will guide you on what you should do if you want to start a family.
Sperm Freezing
Freezing your sperm before treatment can preserve your chances of having a family for when you’re ready.
Becoming a Sperm Donor
Becoming a sperm donor can be one of the most generous things a man can do. There are 100's of reasons why men donate sperm - here are a few.
Using a donor to help you conceive
All forms of assisted conception treatment require careful consideration, but donor conception presents a few more issues that you must factor into your decision.
IVF and ICSI Treatment
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) techniques offer many couples or individuals their best chance of pregnancy.
Sperm Retrieval
Typically when a male ejaculates there are sperm present in the ejaculate. However in some cases there may be no sperm in the ejaculate because the vas deferens is blocked (e.g. vasectomy) or absent (e.g. congenital absence of the vas deferens).