Infertility and fertility in men

Many couples in Germany long for a child, but about 15 percent of couples do not have this wish, because either man or woman are sterile or unable to conceive. While one speaks of infertility in women, this is said in men Infertility.

What is infertility?

As unable to conceive A man is always referred to when a couple fails to father offspring after a year of unprotected sexual intercourse.

However, only a doctor can then find out whether this is due to the man or the woman. Statistics show that in 40 percent of cases, the causes are to be found in the man. In only 20 percent of cases, the cause lies with both partners.

causes

The Infertility in men, there are numerous causes and starts with stress, too much alcohol and smoking, to drug abuse. Certain medications and excessive coffee consumption can also lead to fertility problems.

Incidentally, these are causes that can affect both sexes equally. But there are also a number of reasons that only affect men. This includes, for example, relocating the seminal ducts. In this case the testes produce enough semen, but their path through the vas deferens is blocked.

Other men simply do not produce enough motile sperm (normally one milliliter of semen should contain around 20 million sperm cells). An undescended testicle in childhood can also cause a man to be unable to conceive later.

Certain diseases can also trigger this inability to conceive in men. Particularly noteworthy here are epididymis or urethritis. An infection with chlamydia can also cause fertility in men.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

Sometimes male infertility is caused by physical illnesses that show up in symptoms such as pain. Often, however, infertility does not cause any physically tangible symptoms such as pain. Rather, there are indirect signs that indicate that there may be an inability to conceive. For example, after a year of unprotected intercourse without becoming pregnant, a couple should be examined by a specialist for fertility problems.

Symptoms associated with infertility are often of an emotional nature. If the desire to have children does not come true, many sufferers develop depressive moods or even suicidal thoughts. Social isolation is a frequently described symptom on the psychological level.

Sufferers often try to avoid social contact because they want to avoid stressful situations such as questions about family planning or confronting other people's pregnancies. Especially after long and unsuccessful infertility therapy, psychological support is often useful in order to avoid or break through mental illnesses.

Diagnosis & course

As a rule, only a urologist can make a clear diagnosis. Since the Infertility does not cause any physical complaints in a man, this becomes apparent at the latest when you want to have children. At this point, at the latest, most men will only deal with the issue of infertility.

But it is also possible that the man notices a sudden change in the size of the testicles or a sharp increase or decrease in weight. In this case, a doctor should be consulted, because these symptoms may well indicate an inability to conceive.

The doctor will first examine the patient's medical history carefully and in particular for childhood diseases, such as Mumps, pay attention. Man's habits are also carefully considered; after all, heavy smokers are far more likely to be sterile than non-smokers.

This is followed by a physical examination in which the testicles as well as the epididymis and prostate are palpated. The quality of the sperm is also examined.

Complications

Infertility and the inability to conceive in men primarily have a very negative effect on everyday life and also on the patient's psychological state. Most of those affected suffer from a significantly reduced self-esteem and in many cases also from inferiority complexes. Those affected are ashamed of the symptoms and for this reason often do not go to a doctor.

As a rule, infertility and fertility problems in men do not heal themselves. Likewise, the condition can potentially lead to tension and complications in the relationship. The further course of the disease depends very much on the exact cause, so that no general prediction is possible. The treatment and its success are also very dependent on the underlying disease.

In most cases, male infertility and fertility cannot be fully treated. Those affected are then dependent on other options to pursue the desire to have children. There are no particular complications. A healthy lifestyle can prevent this disease. In the case of genetic defects, it is not possible to prevent the disease.

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When should you go to the doctor?

In the case of infertility and the inability to conceive in men, a doctor should always be consulted, as these complaints cannot cure independently. As a rule, the earlier a doctor is consulted, the better the further course of this disease will be. In many cases, male infertility and the inability to conceive are a complication of another disease, so the underlying disease should be treated primarily.

A doctor should be contacted in the event of this disease if the person concerned is unable to conceive and is therefore unable to have children. In many cases, infertility and the inability to conceive in men can also lead to mental disorders or depression, so that treatment and examination by a doctor should also be carried out. The disease itself is usually recognized and treated by a urologist. Whether there will be a complete cure cannot generally be predicted.

Treatment & Therapy

Treatment of the Infertility in men depends on the underlying cause. Many couples consciously refrain from therapy and decide to either remain childless or to adopt a child.

However, if the desire for your own child is too great, the many therapy options should be considered. It is possible that the inability to conceive in a man is not physically caused, but rather caused by an emotional background. In this case, advice from a psychologist may help. In the case of hormonal disorders, on the other hand, hormone therapy is very suitable.

In the case of physical misalignments, such as sticky sperm ducts, a simple operation can help quickly. Last but not least, artificial insemination should not go unmentioned - a possibility that many couples also choose. However, there is a risk of multiple births here.

prevention

One Infertility the only way man can prevent this is through a healthy lifestyle. Refraining from alcohol and cigarettes can help here, as can sufficient exercise and sport. Obesity should be avoided altogether, because then the sperm will also become sluggish. Stress should be avoided as much as possible.

Inflammatory diseases need to be treated as quickly as possible. Here it is also the responsibility of the parents to look after their male offspring. Vaccinations against mumps, rubella and measles are particularly important here.

Aftercare

If the man is infertile and unable to conceive, this can be stressful for a partnership. If various treatment options have already been carried out and the success has not been achieved, there are a few points that must be considered for follow-up care. In particular, the psychological and mental aspect must not be disregarded in the case of an unfulfilled desire to have children, as this issue can put a great strain on the man concerned and the relationship with his partner.

You feel guilty, you question yourself, and all of this can become depressing and arduous or even lead to depression. It makes sense to get professional help in good time and to talk to a psychologist or psychotherapist about your own problems in order to be able to think more positively again and to look more positively into the future. It helps many couples to go into therapy together in order to find solutions for the next steps together.

Alternative treatment methods can also help, especially if conventional medicine has not led to the desired result. There are several options that a man or a couple can try together, such as TCM, acupuncture, massage, meditation, or autogenic training. Sharing experiences with other affected men or couples can also be very helpful in dealing with your own infertility and infertility and in finding alternative solutions to this problem.

You can do that yourself

After the diagnosis of infertility and the inability to conceive, we recommend consulting a therapist or the profamilia association. The causes of infertility need to be identified so that appropriate action can be taken.

In some cases, fertility can be promoted through self-help measures. For example, a change in lifestyle is recommended. Exercise and a balanced diet improve sperm quality. Infertility does not necessarily mean childlessness. Nowadays, among other things, there is the option of adopting a child or involving a donor. Both must be discussed with the urologist and, if necessary, with other institutions.

If a physical cause is found, treatment is based on the diagnosis. Further treatment takes place in consultation with an experienced andrologist and a specialized fertility center. Other possible measures include a vacuum pump, a penile implant, or psychotherapeutic treatment if emotional causes are suspected. In addition, drug treatment is possible, for example to compensate for a hormone deficiency. These measures improve fertility and make the egg more likely to be fertilized. The exact measures are based on the cause and severity of the infertility and must be discussed with a specialist.