If a couple has been actively trying to conceive for a year without success, seeking medical advice from a fertility specialist is recommended. However, if there are known risk factors or concerns about fertility, it is advisable to consult a doctor earlier.

Male infertility refers to the inability of a man to impregnate a woman after a year of regular unprotected intercourse. Most of the men suffering from male infertility do not experience any symptoms except the couple is unable to achieve pregnancy. Diagnosis can be done usually by a consultation followed by a simple analysis.

Male infertility can be caused due to hormonal imbalances, genetic disorders, testicular damage or injury, certain medical conditions, infections and lifestyle factors (such as sedentary lifestyle, stress, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, exposure to chemicals, recreational drug use). These can lead to low sperm count, reduced sperm motility and/or abnormal sperm shape (morphology) which can all lead to infertility of male origin.

Male infertility can often be treated depending on the underlying cause. Treatment options include addressing lifestyle factors, medications to improve sperm parameters, surgical interventions in conditions such as azoospermia and varicocele and assisted reproductive techniques such as IUI and in-vitro fertilization – IVF.

Male infertility can sometimes indicate an underlying health issue. Conditions contributing to infertility, such as hormonal imbalances or genetic disorders, may also have implications for a man’s overall health. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional is important for men experiencing fertility issues.

Yes, age can impact male fertility. While men can continue producing sperm throughout their lives, the quality and quantity of sperm may decline as they age. Older men are more likely to have sperm with DNA damage, increased chromosomal abnormalities and reduced motility. These factors contribute to a decreased ability to conceive, longer time to achieve pregnancy and a higher risk of miscarriage. However, men generally maintain fertility for a longer duration compared to women. Nevertheless, age-related factors should still be considered when planning for parenthood.

A Male can have sexual dysfunction and yet have normal semen parameters. Male sexual dysfunction can be broadly due to erectile dysfunction or an ejaculation. In these cases the cause for male infertility is the sexual dysfunction which if treated appropriately results in a pregnancy.

Multiple treatment option are available for men experiencing sexual dysfunction. They need a proper evaluation to know the cause. Treatment modalities includes medical therapy use of devices for assisted erection and ejaculation. Behavioural therapy can help a patient achieve fertility in indicated cases.

IVF and ICSI yields good results in severe cases of male infertility. TESA and Micro-TESE can help males even with zero sperm count achieve parenthood. Genetic evaluation and Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) can help prevent transmission in future generation and result in healthy off-spring.