Approximately 10% to 15% of couples in our country are unable to conceive, with male factors accounting for 40% to 50%. The reasons for male infertility are complex, and patients often experience distress. Below are five reasons for male infertility.
1. Production of anti-sperm antibodies
When there is inflammation in the male reproductive tract, such as prostatitis, seminal vesiculitis, epididymitis, or viral infection of the testicles, or when it is subjected to injury, high temperatures, or chemical damage, the immune function becomes overactive and produces a substance called anti-sperm antibodies.
When sperm carrying anti-sperm antibodies enter the female reproductive tract, they hinder the binding with the egg. Anti-sperm antibodies can cause sperm to adhere to cervical mucus, making it difficult for them to pass through the cervix. They can also suppress the overall activity of sperm, making it difficult for them to penetrate various barriers, hindering the fusion of sperm and egg cells. Even if sperm and eggs do unite, it is difficult for them to consolidate, which can affect the development of the embryo and even lead to embryo death and miscarriage.
2. Congenital organ abnormalities
Some congenital deformities of the male reproductive organs are difficult to correct, but if detected early, they can be treated with surgery during childhood. Due to a lack of knowledge in this area or reluctance to seek medical examination, some patients miss the opportunity for treatment, resulting in decreased fertility or infertility.
Cryptorchidism is a common congenital organ abnormality in urology. It refers to the absence of testicles in the scrotum, including incomplete descent of the testicles or ectopic testicles. In cases of incomplete descent of the testicles, the testicles do not descend to the bottom of the scrotum after birth, but remain at a certain position during descent, or even remain in the abdominal cavity. When the testicles remain in the abdominal cavity, they are exposed to a relatively high temperature environment, which hinders testicular growth and leads to gradual atrophy, resulting in the inability to produce sperm. Furthermore, when the testicles remain in the abdominal cavity, the chances of developing malignant tumors also greatly increase, with testicular cancer in cryptorchidism patients being 25 times higher than in normal individuals. Therefore, parents should pay attention to their children's genital organs and check whether they have two testicles. Generally speaking, if the testicles have not descended by the age of one, surgery should be performed.
3. Abnormalities in the spermatic cord blood vessels
Abnormalities in the spermatic cord blood vessels account for approximately 30% of infertile patients. The spermatic cord is the venous plexus located in the scrotum and inguinal region of males, which connects with major blood vessels in the upper abdomen and supplies blood to the testicles. The blood flow in the spermatic vein becomes slow in patients with varicocele, leading to congestion in the venous plexus and an increase in local testicular temperature, which affects sperm production. If toxins from the left renal vein flow into the testicles, it can cause testicular atrophy, resulting in abnormal sperm morphology and decreased motility. In severe cases, it can even lead to a decrease in sperm count and fertility.
For patients with obvious symptoms of varicocele or those who have been married for a long time without conception or have abnormal semen, surgical treatment is necessary regardless of the severity of the symptoms, and early treatment yields the best results.
4. Hormonal abnormalities
Hormonal abnormalities account for approximately 5% to 10% of infertility cases. High prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone can all cause abnormal testicular development, affecting sperm activity and even leading to erectile dysfunction. In addition, some patients with pituitary tumors can also experience hormonal abnormalities, resulting in infertility. Pituitary tumors are common intracranial tumors, and their incidence has been steadily increasing in recent years.
5. Repeated infections of the genitourinary system
Recurrent urinary tract infections can affect the quality of semen and cause male infertility. Enterococcus is a common cause of epididymitis. Herpes viruses and human papillomavirus can also reduce sperm motility. These infections can all decrease fertility and require early treatment.
