Erectile dysfunction can cause infertility in men because it interrupts or prevents intercourse. To conceive a child, sperm must be delivered to one’s partner’s egg during intercourse.
Several couples are infertile and are unable to conceive a child even though they have had frequent, unprotected sexual intercourse for about a year or even longer. For most of these couples, male infertility does play at least a partial role.
Male infertility can indeed be caused by low sperm production, abnormal sperm function, or even blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Illnesses, injuries, chronic health problems, as well as lifestyle choices, along with other factors, can contribute to male infertility.
The inability to conceive a child can indeed be stressful and frustrating, but several treatments are available for male infertility.
Symptoms
The main sign of infertility in men is the inability to conceive a child. There can be no other obvious signs or symptoms.
In a few cases, an underlying problem like an inherited disorder, hormonal imbalance, dilated veins around the testicle, or even a condition that blocks the passage of sperm, thus causing signs and symptoms as well. Signs and symptoms that are noticeable include:
- Problems with sexual functioning—like difficulty with ejaculation or perhaps small volumes of fluid ejaculated, reduced sexual desire, or even difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction).
- Pain, swelling, or, of course, a lump in the testicle area.
- Recurrent respiratory infections.
- Inability to smell.
- Abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia).
- Decreased facial or even body hair or other signs of a chromosomal or hormonal abnormality.
- A lower-than-normal sperm count (fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen or maybe a total sperm count of less than 39 million per ejaculate)
When to see a doctor?
Seeing a doctor if finding it difficult to conceive a child after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse or sooner if having any of the following:
- Erection or perhaps ejaculation problems, low sex drive, or even other problems with sexual function.
- Pain, discomfort, a lump, or perhaps swelling in the testicle area.
- A history of testicles, prostate, or even sexual problems.
- A groin, testicle, penis, or, in fact, scrotum surgery.
- A partner who is over 35.
Other aspects of infertility in men:
- Infertility does rather affect up to 12% of all men, and also sexual dysfunction does occur frequently in men of reproductive age, thus causing infertility in some instances.
- Infertile men can rather experience a heavy psychological burden. Infertility and its associated psychological concerns can rather be underlying sexual dysfunction health problems.
- General health perturbations can also cause male infertility and/or sexual dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction, as well as male infertility, are considered proxies for general health.
- Medications made for general health problems can indeed cause sperm abnormalities and also sexual dysfunction. The treatment of a few causes of male infertility can perhaps improve semen quality and also reverse infertility-related sexual dysfunction.
- Infertility in men does require an investigation of sexual, general, and psychological health status to improve reproductive problems and also general health.
Conclusion
Infertility is a condition where you can’t get pregnant after one year of trying to conceive. Causes of infertility can include ovulatory disorders, endometriosis, low sperm count, or low testosterone. The risk of infertility does increase as the person adds on years. Several types of treatment options are available for people with infertility.