Understanding Male Infertility

Key Points:

• Male infertility can be a sensitive topic, but we offer insight to why this happens.
• Learn more about how male infertility can lead you to surrogacy to grow your family.
• Get started with your own surrogacy experience by contacting a surrogacy agency today.

We understand that male infertility is a sensitive topic, but we want to let you know that there are options for you and your partner to build the family you’ve always dreamed of having.

You can contact us today to get more information about the different ways you can become a parent. But, if you want to find out more about male infertility and surrogacy, another family-building option, continue reading.

Speak with a specialist today!

Disclaimer: You should always speak to a medical professional to determine if you think you’re experiencing male infertility. This article is only intended for educational purposes and should not be taken as medical advice.

What is Male Infertility?

According to the Mayo Clinic, male infertility has many causes and may occur because of different medical and environmental factors.

Hopkins Medicine explains that for a man to help create an embryo, the following needs to happen:

• A person must produce healthy sperm that can fertilize an egg
• A person must be able to have an erection and ejaculate so sperm can reach an egg

Male Infertility Causes

Before we detail some common causes of male infertility, it’s important to note that an infertility diagnosis is never your fault. Don’t feel ashamed about what you’re experiencing. You are not alone.

There are more than a few male infertility causes that are common.

Some of these causes include:

• Sperm disorders: There are quite a few sperm disorders men can experience, including infections or inflammatory conditions, hormone or pituitary gland problems, immune issues, and more. A medical professional can provide a diagnosis.
• Structural problems: This can include anything that blocks the genital tract (a congenital disability, infection, inflammation, etc.).
• Other factors: Similar to female infertility, several small factors between two partners can cause infertility. Sometimes these factors correct themselves, but it’s best to seek a medical professional for possible treatment when you suspect you’re experiencing male infertility. 

Male Infertility Symptoms

The main sign of male infertility is being unable to conceive a child through sex with a female partner for one full year without birth control. But sometimes, people experience other symptoms, too.

Other common male infertility symptoms include:

• Sexual function challenges
• Swelling, pain, or a lump in or near the testicles
• And more

You can work with your doctor to determine if you are experiencing male infertility. Your doctor may schedule one of the following tests to help come to a diagnosis:

• Sperm count (semen analysis)
• Blood tests
• Testicular biopsy
• Other tests

Male Infertility and Surrogacy

If you and your doctor have determined you’re experiencing male infertility, it’s essential to know you aren’t alone. Nearly one-third of infertility cases concern male infertility.

Take all the time you need to process the feelings that come up after your male infertility diagnosis. Discovering that you may be unable to have a child in the way you envisioned isn’t easy, and you deserve space.

If you and your partner determine you’re open to other family-building options, we’re here to help.

Surrogacy Basics

Surrogacy is a collaborative effort to bring a baby into the world.

If you choose surrogacy, you and your partner will work with:

• A surrogate who will carry and deliver your child
• A surrogacy agency that will provide you with surrogacy professionals who safely and legally complete your surrogacy
• An infertility counselor who can help you cope with your feelings
• A fertility clinic that helps create the embryo that will be transferred to the surrogate

All modern surrogacies are gestational, meaning the surrogate mother is not related to the baby she carries.

Generally, intended families pay anywhere from $60,000 to $150,000 to cover the surrogate’s needs and provide her base compensation. A surrogate never has to pay to become a surrogate.

Choosing Surrogacy to Grow Your Family

If you’re experiencing male infertility, it’s important to know you can still become a parent through surrogacy. If you and your partner choose to start a surrogacy journey, you have two surrogacy options depending on your male infertility diagnosis and comfort level. A surrogacy agency can help you navigate this process.

You can start a surrogacy journey with your partner in one of two ways:

• Through fertility treatments, procedures, or medicine
• With the help of a sperm donor

Using Your Sperm in Surrogacy

Your fertility clinic can determine if your sperm and partner’s egg could successfully create an embryo that a surrogate could carry. If this is not possible, you can still have a child with the help of a sperm donor and possibly, an egg donor.

Working with a Donor in Surrogacy

It’s common for people who want to pursue surrogacy to use donors. And if the type of male infertility you’re experiencing involves your sperm, you may also consider using a sperm donor.

If you choose to use a sperm donor, your surrogacy agency can connect you with a fertility clinic that will assist you in finding the right sperm donor for your surrogacy.

You also may decide to use a gamete donor bank to complete your surrogacy if:

• Your partner would like to use an egg donor
• You’re in a same-sex relationship
• You’re a single prospective father

Start Your Journey to Grow Your Family Today

If you are looking for a surrogacy agency to help you start your surrogacy journey, consider starting with this list:

• American Surrogacy
• Circle Surrogacy
• Growing Generations
• Creating Families
• Simple Surrogacy

Male infertility shouldn’t stop you from pursuing your dreams of becoming a parent. Contact us today if you’re ready to learn how you can grow your family.