Infertility in couples
Infertility in couples can originate in either partner, despite the mistaken belief that fertility problems are exclusive to women.
Equipo Juana Crespo believes in the importance of performing comprehensive fertility studies for men as well as women. We have a specialised andrology unit offering expertise through its diagnostic capacity to evaluate sperm functionality and the application of pioneering techniques for the selection of optimal gametes free of genetic abnormalities.
Our urology unit specialising in infertility and men’s health treats all possible prostate, urinary and hormonal pathologies that compromise a man’s fertility.
What is male infertility?
Male infertility refers to the inability of a man to achieve a spontaneous pregnancy after one year of sexual intercourse without using contraceptive methods.
Infertility is usually related to the male’s semen quality. Genetic factors, common diseases, obesity, external factors such as alcohol, stress or smoking, and even exposure to plastics affect sperm count and gamete motility.
Causes
The reasons for male infertility can be varied and even multivariate. Therefore, Equipo Juana Crespo believes it is essential to know the cause(s) leading to infertility to establish the right solution. We only start treatment if we find the specific cause.
Main causes of male infertility
Other possible causes of male infertility
In addition to the above, there may be other external factors that lead to male infertility.
Environmental factors are a common cause. These include overexposure to pesticides, mercury radiation or heavy metals, which reduce sperm quality.
Other external causes that compromise fertility include excessive exercise, continuous stress or toxic habits such as drinking alcohol or smoking. Obesity and male infertility are also closely related, as obesity directly affects semen quantity and quality.
Male infertility symptoms
The most obvious symptom of male infertility is the inability to achieve pregnancy. However, there are other signs that suggest a potential fertility problem.
Another common infertility symptom is suffering from some kind of sexual dysfunction. If there is a problem with ejaculation, it is usually associated with a decrease in ejaculated fluid, erectile dysfunction, etc. These symptoms could (but not always) be a clear indication that there is a male infertility problem.
If suffering from any of these alterations, we recommend visiting a specialist to perform the necessary tests.
Tests to evaluate male fertility
At Equipo Juana Crespo, the process for studying male, and female, infertility begins with an initial, comprehensive visit to examine lifestyle, family history, medical tests, etc. This is to establish which tests are required for an accurate diagnosis. The main diagnostic tests for performing a comprehensive examination include:
Diagnosis and Treatment
Equipo Juana Crespo offers patients a range of Assisted Reproduction treatments to achieve pregnancy. The treatment naturally depends on the problem causing the infertility, and sometimes includes preventive treatment. Some of the main treatment options include:
Male fertility preservation methods
Fertility planning for men
Primarily a preventive technique, which involves freezing sperm for later use in assisted reproduction treatment. A particularly useful technique for men planning to undergo any therapy or aggressive treatment that may damage their sperm. Additionally, when an alteration is detected in the patient’s semen analysis, and therefore loss is expected in the future that may further complicate his chances of becoming a father. This is also the case for transgender patients, elite athletes, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although there are not yet enough studies to state that Covid can compromise fertility in men, there is evidence linking the virus to acute testicular damage and hormonal changes.
Diabetes causes male infertility, but only if poorly controlled or untreated. Diabetes causes metabolic changes, and in turn leads to complications that result in testicular damage affecting decreased sperm quantity and quality, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculation disorders.
Fertility in men can be recovered, provided the diagnosis and treatment are correct. At Equipo Juana Crespo, we specialise in highly complex reproductive medicine based on personalised diagnosis, treatment and even technology.
It is estimated that between 30 and 40 percent of men of reproductive age have semen quality lower than that stipulated by the World Health Organization as optimal values.
There is a belief that finasteride affects fertility in men. A patient undergoing treatment for alopecia that includes this drug may register a lower ejaculate and sperm count. However, this is reversible and does not produce sterility.
Infertility and sterility are often confused. Although they may seem to refer to the same thing, there are substantial differences between them. Sterility alludes to the inability to conceive, i.e., the sperm’s inability to fertilise the egg. However, infertility refers to the inability to successfully complete a pregnancy. In cases of male infertility, a pregnancy may not be completed because the sperm is probably not capable of generating viable embryos at genetic level, resulting in miscarriage.
