Male Infertility include Male Fertility Evaluation Asthenozoospermia, Azoospermia, Oligozoospermia,
Teratozoospermia, Micro TESE, Sperm Mapping, Sperm Retrieval Procedures, Varicocele
Teratozoospermia (also called Teratospermia) refers to malformed shape of the sperms. Sperm morphology refers to the size and shape of the sperms and when the sperm morphology is defective, the condition is referred to as Teratozoospermia. When less than 4% of the sperms are in perfect shape, then the person is said to be suffering from Teratozoospermia condition.
One must note that problem of infertility doesn’t always lie with the woman. In 40% of the cases, the man can be infertile and in some cases, both of them may be infertile. When you are planning to see a doctor to have a baby of your own, there are few things you need to ask your gynecologist/doctor and know.
Varicocelectomy is the procedure in which the bulged veins on scrotum are removed. This is done using a laparoscope (called laparoscopic varicocelectomy) or through an incision, conventional style of varicocele surgery.
When you are trying to become a father with your female partner but failing, remember that in 40% of the cases, the problem exists with male, 40% of the times with female and in rest 20% of the cases, the issue lies in both the partners as per statistical data. As a man, especially in India, the first thing you should do is to stop blaming the woman for not able to bear a child. Secondly, put your woman through infertility testing after your sexologist determines that you are perfectly fertile and good in sexual health.
Low sex drive, not having erections like you had few months ago? Not having interest in sex or feeling tired always? These could be signs that are telling you that you are low on testosterone, an important male hormone. Know the symptoms of that you will see when your body is producing low levels of testosterone.
Scrotum is the sack that holds the testicles. Connecting to those testicles are several tubes including nerves, arteries, veins, spermatic cords etc. Varicocele is the enlargement of a veins connected to the testicle. These veins are called Pampiniform Plexus.
If you are not able to get your female partner pregnant for quite sometime now and if you want to get tested for any possible problems, the first thing most sexologists would ask for is a ‘Semen Analysis’ test to check the count of sperms, shape of the sperms and if they are able to move well in the semen. This gives your doctor a good picture about the problem and he/she will be able to treat you accordingly.
Scrotal swelling is the swelling of scrotum (the sack/bag that holds your balls). Reasons can be many from a harmless cyst to cancerous tumor. If you have persistent pain and see any kind of swelling, don’t delay; see a good sex specialist immediately. After a physical examination, your doctor may ask for imaging or biopsy to determine/confirm the actual cause and treat accordingly. Treatment of scrotal swelling may be as simple as a prescription or may even require a surgery.
Premature Ejaculation is quick and uncontrolled ejaculation in less than a minute after intercourse. Apart from psychological problems, deficiency of some minerals in the body such as zinc, magnesium can also cause PE. Eating more nuts, fruits, spinach, trying stop and start techniques, squeeze techniques along with numbing sprays and climax delaying condoms can improve the ejaculation time.
Artificial insemination refers to the process of delivering the sperm into the cervix/uterus of a woman without having actual sex. There are mainly two ways of delivering the sperm and in one of the procedures, the sperm is ‘washed’ and delivered into the uterus to achieve better success rates.
Pollution is leading to erectile dysfunction
Pollution is a leading factor for declining fertility in men and women
Increased pollution is causing male babies to be born with smaller penises.
Quit smoking, alcohol and drugs. Expose yourself to sunlight. Maintain healthy body weight if you are obese or over weight. Consume Fenugreek and Ashwagandha. Avoid medicines that affect your sperm count or cause low libido/erection problems. Increase good fat intake and reduce saturated fats. Avoid soy and estrogen rich foods. Eat enough amounts of folate, zinc and magnesium. Avoid living in industrial or polluted areas.
Did you know that the number of infertility cases in men (and women) have been gradually increasing with time? Every year (from 1970), sperm count has been declining in men at the rate of 1.4% with an overall decline of 52.4% in the last 40 years.
Novel Corona Virus can affect fertility in men Covid-19 a.k.a. Novel Corona Virus – almost every literate in the world would be aware of the virus and symptoms caused. However, the effects or damages caused by Corona to various parts/organs of the body is yet to be understood and studied completely. One such organ that…
Teratozoospermia – Teratospermia – Causes & Treatment As per WHO, if a man’s ejaculate contains less than 4% of normal sperm, he is said to be suffering from Teratozoospermia (or Teratospermia). As per Kruger’s strict criteria, if less than 15% of the sperms are abnormally shaped, then the man is said to be suffering from…
Home remedies for treating thin and watery semen Most of the times, thin or watery semen is due to the absence of sperms or low sperm count. This is one of the reasons that can cause infertility in men apart from premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, sperm morphology problems, sperm motility problems etc. When there is…
Infertility in Men due to Oligospermia (low sperm count) Oligospermia – What is it? When a man ejaculates, the number of sperms should be more than 1.5 crores per millilitre (15 million/ml). If the count falls below this number, the condition is called ‘Oligospermia’ or ‘Oligozoospermia’. Oligospermia is categorized into 3 types: Mild Oligospermia –…
Suffering from Low Sex Drive – What could be the reasons?From mental connection between couples to medical conditions in either partner, there are numerous factors that can affect the sexual relationship between them. Let us look in detail, what are the possible reasons that can affect the sex drive between partners. Diabetes The most common…
What factors can cause male infertility? Did you know that 20 to 40% of the times, the problem lies with men in couples who are not able to give birth to a child? Although problem with women’s reproductive system or body attribute to a larger percentage, in case when a couple is unable to beget…
Testicular Cancer Cancer that occurs to either of the testicles is called Testicular Cancer. This is not a very common condition but can happen at any age of a man. Good news is, testicular cancer is treatable irrespective of the stage it is in. Symptoms of testicular cancer The tumor like lumps form on the…
Artifician Insemination The procedure of Artificial Insemination was originally being performed on animals (cattle) for breeding. Later experts started using the same procedure on humans. Artificial Insemination refers to the process of injecting sperms into the uterus or fallopian tubes or near the ovaries of a woman using an external device. IntraUterine Insemination (IUI) is…
Frequency of Ejaculation – How many times is normal? For men, ejaculation and orgasm feel the same, but are they really the same? Some men can experience orgasm without ejaculation and some can’t feel the orgasm even when they ejaculate. However, some sexologists argue that ejaculation and orgasm are two different things. Ejaculation – ejecting…
Natural remedies for Premature Ejaculation This article is for those who prefer natural or home remedies for any of their physical problems. Premature Ejaculation is one of the common problems that men face sometime or other during their life time. Premature Ejaculation is defined as ‘Ejaculation of semen before or within one minute after penetration’.…
6 Natural Testosterone Boosting Supplements Testosterone, a very important male sexual health hormone. Not just for sexual health, optimal amounts of testosterone helps in muscle growth, fat loss and also helps in maintaining good health. Did you know that testosterone is important for women too? Though women produce it in very small quantities (compared to…
Semen is a combination of fluids and sperms generated by the male reproductive system. Generally, semen is a thick, viscous whitish liquid. Certain body conditions can change the colour, smell, consistency of the semen and it can look more watery.
What are the possible medical problems that your Testicles or Scrotum can get? As you may be already aware, one testicle often hangs lower than the other. If you are not sure why and want to know, please watch the video at the end of this article. Testicular cancer is likely the most known type…
Hematospermia Sounds strange but true. Hematospermia is a condition where blood is present in the semen (male ejaculate). It is not noticeable usually, so it is difficult to tell in the initial stages. What causes blood to mix with semen? As you can see, there are many parts in the men’s reproductive system such as…
Symptoms of Low Testosterone Levels Testosterone, the male sex hormone is a very important hormone to have a healthy energetic sexual as well as normal life. Women do have this hormone but in very small quantities in their bodies. When the testosterone levels drop in a man, its not just erectile dysfunction caused but also…
Changes to a man’s sexual organs with age Have you ever wondered what is going to happen to your penis, pubic hair, scrotum, the tissues inside your penis change as you age? If you are in your 30s, you would already know that you are not as active in sex as you were in your…
Exercises for men for a better sex life Exercising has always been considered good for not just our physical but also mental well-being. But now, did you know that toning those muscles, or losing a few pounds can help you be better at sex? That’s true, research has found out that working out three to…
Vitamin B12 and its effect on Men’s Fertility A little over 7% of all men, suffer infertility. About one in 20 men have low numbers of sperm which is one of the common causes for infertility. However, one in every 100 men has no sperm at all. In recent years, studies have shown that vitamin B12 has…
PreMarital Health Check – Mandatory Tests to be done before marriage We often find someone who is astrologically compatible with us so we can have a happy married life and keep ourselves and our partner happy. But have you ever wondered that some medical tests are as or more important than they look? It is…
Retrograde Ejaculation – Causes and Treatment Retrograde Ejaculation – One of the ejaculatory dysfunctions experienced by men. In normal ejaculation, during orgasm, the semen comes out of the testicles through the penis. Instead, if the semen enters the bladder and does not come out of the penis – such a condition is called Retrograde Ejaculation.…
FAQs on Varicocele What is a varicocele? A vein abnormality in the scrotum may result in a varicocele. The enlargement of the pampiniform plexus veins in the scrotum is a varicocele. It is similar to varicose veins that occur in the leg. Where does varicocele occur? Varicocele occurs in the scrotum. It is similar…
The Prepuce or the foreskin on the penis, characterized as “primary erogenous tissue necessary for normal sexual function”, itself explains its role in natural, mechanical and sensory capacities of the penis. Hence, Circumcision, the procedure of removing the foreskin covering the head of the penis is inferred to necessarily reduce sensitivity and has been erotically controversial. Not surprisingly, it is general assumption that amputation of the penile foreskin and exposure of the glans penis thus reducing penile sensitivity could be a cure for Premature Ejaculation.
Indian Endogamy plays a significant role in male infertility! Endogamy:- 1. The custom of marrying only within the limits of local community, clan or tribe. 2. The fusion of reproductive cells from related individuals, inbreeding; self pollination. Infertility affects 10 – 15% of couples globally with rates steadily increasing in part due to deterioration in…
Smoking kills your sperms and your son’s sperms too! It is a commonly known fact that smoking tobacco can have ill effects not only on a mans physical well being but also on his sexual health. To add to the concerns recent studies have suggested that smoking in men can lead to significant lowering of…
Did you know that smoking up can burn out a man’s sperms? It is worrisome but true that smoking weed can be harmful to your sperms. In the recent years scientific research has extensively studied the effects of various lifestyle choices and addictive habits on male fertility. One of the latest studies from the Duke…
Semen Parameters in a Healthy Male If you are attending a fertility clinic with your partner, semen analysis would be the basic test recommended for you, as it forms the cornerstone of male infertility evaluation. A semen sample is collected by masturbation into a clean, dry and sterile container. It may also be collected during…
Night fall in men (Wet Dreams) Has nightfall or wet dream as it is more popularly known, been a matter of embarrassment or worry to you? Though it is very common for men to have had experienced it at some point in their lives, it may become very embarrassing to discuss the matter and men…
Teratozoospermia – Can it be reversed? or Cured? Teratozoospermia (also called Teratospermia) is an abnormality in sperm morphology. Sperm morphology refers to the size and shape of the sperm. Does sperm shape affect fertility? The typical shape of the sperm makes it capable of swimming across the female genital tract so as to reach the…
Varicocele – All you want to know What is varicocele? A varicocele is an abnormal enlargement or engorgement of the veins within the scrotum. They are the veins which drain the blood from the testicles. You may have heard of or seen varicose veins of the legs which are abnormally engorged and tortuous veins in…
Causes of Male Infertility Infertility in men is defined as the inability to reproduce after 1 year of unprotected intercourse, assuming the female partner is perfectly healthy. Infertility affects approximately 10-15% of couples belonging to the reproductive age group. Though the worldwide prevalence of infertility has been stable over the past 50 years, there has…
Sperm Morphology – Measuring your sperm’s potential! When asked to interpret a Semen Analysis, one of the commonest variables that create a lot of confusion is Sperm Morphology or the size and shape of sperm. Morphology is usually reported as a percentage of sperm that appear normal when tested during a Semen analysis. Scientifically, morphology…
Vitamin D Levels and Sperm Motility Firstly, What is sperm motility? Sperm motility refers to the movement and swimming of sperm. Poor sperm motility means that the sperm do not swim properly to reach the egg. This can lead to male Infertility and you will have to see a Sexologist / sex specialist to fix…
Epidydymal Sperm Aspiration – MESA Obstructive Azoospermia is the complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate due to obstruction in the male reproductive tract. Though this number is close to 40%, the number of people having unreconstructable Azoospermia is also quite significant. This is helped by the ICSI procedure with advanced techniques like Microsurgical Epidydymal…
Sperm Mapping in Unobstructive Azoospermia What is Sperm Mapping and how does it help? Sperm Mapping or extended FNA mapping (done in Unobstructive Azoospermia cases) is a minimally invasive day care technique that helps in identifying the location of the sperm. This technique was popularized by Paul Turek, MD of the Turek clinic in USA.…
Varicocele Repair in Azoospermia A varicocele is a dilatation of the veins of the pampiniform (venous) plexus in the spermatic cord in the male. It is a very common finding in infertile men being associated with 15% of men with primary infertility and 80% of men with secondary infertility. Though varicocele repair in infertility has…
Premature Ejaculation- What’s the story from the other side? Premature ejaculation or lack of Ejaculatory control is the second most common reason men come to see me in my clinic. “It is over before it starts doctor”, they say. A feeling of anguish and the guilt of not being able to satisfy their partners lingers.…
Sexual concerns in young men – PDE5’s are not the answer! LEO ( libido, erection, orgasm ) is what men crave for. For most men, it happens automatically. For others it is a Himalayan task if you are on this side of the world. have a deep concern. A 24 year old walks into my…
The Vainglorious Varicocele – Can of Worms? A man walks into my office. He has been married for two years. Attempts at conception have proved futile. He hands me a Doppler report which states that he has a Bilateral Varicocele, Grade 2. His diagnosis is a clinical varicocele. My observations confirm this. His semen parameters…
Obstructive Azoospermia Role of Trans Rectal Ultrasound (TRUS) in Male Infertility Male infertility evaluation involves a thorough history, clinical examination, lab tests and a few scans. Men are often perplexed when they are asked to undergo scans and are quite skeptical about getting a Trans Rectal Ultrasound (TRUS) done. A TRUS may be associated with…
Diagnostic work up in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction(ED) Erectile dysfunction, we all know is a vascular phenomenon. The important thing about it is however that it is accompanied by a host of co morbid conditions which can directly or indirectly contribute or maintain it. When a doctor suggests evaluation with lab and other diagnostic modalities,…
Testosterone Replacement Therapy – Who should get it? I have been writing about testosterone replacement / therapy (TTh) in my previous blogs. You are all aware that testosterone (T) is the main male hormone responsible for desire/ libido and also strength, virility, muscle mass and bone density in men. It is also known that T…
Sperm Morphology- Does it matter how I look? A semen analysis has “Morphology” as one of its subheadings. Sperm Morphology refers to how a sperm looks under the microscope. The World Health Organization (WHO) in its 2010 manual says that 4% normal looking sperm would refer to normal semen morphology. This brings us to the…
Non Consummated Marriages – Is that official? Dictionary.com defines consummate as “To bring to a state of perfection; fulfill”. Another one in terms of marriage would be “To complete (the union of marriage) by first marital sexual intercourse”. One would assume that in this day and age of the internet, this would be a myth.…
What are you Ejaculating – The Composition of the Ejaculate When men who have had a vasectomy see that they can still ejaculate, they get worried. Can I still get my wife pregnant doc? I see the white fluid is coming in spite of the procedure. This is not an uncommon question. It is essential…
Use of Ho Yag Laser to treat Male Infertility Male infertility is a bane for many a childless couple. The most common affliction that a man presents with is Oligozoospermia (reduced sperm concentration ) or Azoospermia ( complete absence of sperm ). There are many conditions responsible for these problems. Varicocele is one of them.…
Male Circumcision – Is it for all? Before we start off with the article, let me tell you that I am shocked when I learnt that people are searching for ‘home circumcision’, ‘how to do circumcision at home’, ‘how to cut foreskin at home’, ‘home treatment for sunnat’, ‘sunnat operation at home’, ‘how to foreskin…
Anorgasmia- A rare but bothersome condition What is Anorgasmia? A condition (in men) where there is complete absence of Orgasm even after sufficient sexual stimulation. Men are familiar with ejaculation of semen. However, most men associate ejaculation with orgasm. It is important to understand that ejaculation and orgasm are two different features. Ejaculation happens by…
Sexual functioning which is sexuality, desire and satisfaction is often a cultural and multidimensional thing. No one universal rule or law applies. I often find however there is a single common denominator which plays a great role in affecting sexual functioning. Stress. As we know, it has been proven in studies to affect male and female sexual functioning.
Genetic Issues in Azoospermia Azoospermia is the complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate in the neat and centrifuged sample. A significant proportion of sperm anomalies have been attributed to genetic causes. Almost about 200 genes are involved to control sperm motility alone. Genetic defects can be of three types. One is point mutations in…
Cell Phones – Sperm Counts – Oligozoospermia to Azoospermia What was your last phone? I am sure you know that research states that cell phone radiation can lead to brain cancer? I am assuming your reply is oh! No problem! I speak for a very short while and my phone is hanging from a case…
This and Dhat! One of the popular programs on Sun Network has been Dr X. I don’t know how they came up with that name, but I personally think it is brilliant. It is a show that talks about sexual health and medicine in a candid manner. A late night 60 minutes show usually aired…
Genetics in Male Infertility Sperm counts in this day and age are on the decline. You can blame it on anything from cell phones to cigars. When the concentration, mobility and morphology of sperms are affected, the man is worried. What causes this, is a common question? Can it be corrected with medicines, is the…