Male Infertility Causes: What Every Couple Needs to Know

Key Points:

• Male infertility is common and can be caused by a number of different conditions.
• About 10% of all males in the U.S. struggle with infertility.
• Surrogacy is an alternative family-building option that can fulfill your dreams of becoming parents.

Speak with a specialist today

When you’re facing causes of male infertility, accepting and processing it can be incredibly tough.

While the path to parenthood might look different than you imagined, know this isn’t the end of your journey. Many fulfilling options are available, including surrogacy, which can help you have a child genetically related to you.

Continue reading below to learn more about causes of male infertility and the the options available to you.

What Causes Male Infertility?

Navigating the journey of infertility often involves understanding its various origins.

When it comes to causes of male infertility, a range of factors can impact a man’s ability to conceive. It’s important to remember that male factors contribute to a significant portion of all infertility cases.

Here are some of the key causes of male infertility:

• Sperm Production and Function Issues: Problems with how sperm are produced, their shape (morphology), movement (motility), or concentration are leading causes of male infertility. This can stem from genetic defects, undescended testicles, or infections.
• Structural Blockages: Obstructions in the reproductive tract can prevent sperm from being ejaculated. These blockages, often due to prior surgeries (like vasectomy reversal), infections, or congenital defects, are direct causes of male infertility.
• Hormonal Imbalances: The brain and testicles produce hormones essential for sperm production. Imbalances in hormones like testosterone, FSH, or LH can be significant causes of male infertility.
• Varicocele: This swelling of veins in the scrotum can lead to overheating of the testicles, impairing sperm production and quality. It’s a common and treatable among the physical causes of male infertility.
• Environmental & Lifestyle Factors: Exposure to heat, certain chemicals (pesticides, heavy metals), radiation, excessive alcohol, smoking, and illicit drug use can negatively impact sperm health, contributing to the causes of male infertility.
• Medical Conditions & Medications: Chronic illnesses (e.g., kidney disease, diabetes), certain autoimmune disorders, and specific medications (e.g., some cancer treatments, anabolic steroids) are also known causes of male infertility.

Understanding these causes of male infertility is the first step toward exploring effective family-building options.

How Common is Male Infertility? [Statistics and Facts]

Although it’s assumed that infertility is solely a problem for women, that’s actual untrue. Infertility is also an issue for men, with a male factor being a major contributing cause for at least half of all cases of infertility in the United States.

To help dispute the claim that infertility is only an issue for women, here are other important facts and statistics to know about infertility in men and causes of male infertility:

• About 10% of all males in the United States who are attempting to conceive struggle from infertility.
• In 2019, it was reported by 9% of men aged 15 to 44 that infertility is nearly as common in men as it is in women in the United States.
• Couples in which the male partner is 40 years or older are more likely to have difficulty conceiving.
• Sperm quality generally doesn’t become a problem for men until after the age of 60.
• Approximately 9% of men who are of reproductive age experience fertility issues.
• In around 40% of infertile couples, the male partner is either the sole cause or a contributing cause of male infertility.
• After a year of unprotected sex, about 12-15% of all couples are unable to conceive, while 10% are unable to conceive after two years of unprotected sex.

Lack of Sperm

• Approximately 1% of men suffer from azoospermia, or an absence of sperm.
• Around 10 to 15% of infertile men suffer from a lack of sperm.

Varicocele

• 25% to 35% of men with primary infertility problems have varicocele.
• 50% to 80% of men with secondary infertility issues have varicocele.

Other Causes

Between 8.9% to 68.7% of men with infertility have reported a lack of sexual desire or lack of sexual satisfaction, both as types of sexual dysfunction.

Your Possible Paths Around Causes of Male Infertility

Understanding all available avenues can help you make the most informed decision for your unique situation.

Adoption

For many, adoption provides a fulfilling way to welcome a child into their lives. This path offers a direct route to parenthood without biological ties, focusing entirely on providing a loving home.

Options include domestic or international adoption, and open or semi-open processes, each with its own set of considerations and requirements.

Sperm Donation

If the causes of male infertility make conceiving with the male partner’s sperm unfeasible or undesirable, using donor sperm is another option.

This allows the female partner to carry the pregnancy and still experience a biological connection to the child.

Sperm donation can be pursued with various forms of assisted reproductive technology, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Surrogacy: An Option for Building Your Family

When you’re facing causes of male infertility, accepting and processing it can be incredibly tough.

While traditional pregnancy might not be possible, know this isn’t the end of your parenting journey. Options exist, like surrogacy, that allow you to have a child genetically related to you.

It’s true that surrogacy won’t offer the pregnancy experience, but it absolutely delivers the parenthood you’ve longed for.

To determine if surrogacy is right for you, contact a surrogacy professional to gain insights into the process and help you assess if this is the path for you.

Ultimately, the decision to pursue surrogacy after infertility is deeply personal and yours to make with your partner.