Male Infertility
Answers to common questions about male infertility.
Questions on this page
What is male infertility?
Male infertility refers to difficulty achieving pregnancy because of problems affecting the male partner's reproductive function.
What causes male infertility?
Causes may include:
- Low sperm count
- Poor sperm motility
- Abnormal sperm morphology
- Varicocele
- Hormonal disorders
- Testicular disorders
- Genetic conditions
- Infections
- Previous surgery
- Certain medications
- Testosterone or anabolic steroid use
- Lifestyle and metabolic factors
Can low testosterone cause infertility?
Sometimes, but testosterone level and sperm production are not the same thing.
A man can have a normal testosterone level and abnormal sperm production, or low testosterone with potentially treatable hormonal causes.
Can testosterone injections cause infertility?
Yes. External testosterone can suppress the body's LH and FSH production and significantly reduce sperm production.
What is a semen analysis?
A semen analysis evaluates important characteristics of sperm, including:
- Sperm concentration
- Motility
- Morphology
- Semen volume
When should a man be evaluated for infertility?
Evaluation is appropriate when a couple has difficulty conceiving, particularly when there are known risk factors or abnormalities in sexual or reproductive function.
Can male infertility be treated?
Many causes of male infertility are treatable or manageable. Treatment depends on the cause and may involve hormonal therapy, treatment of a varicocele or other structural problem, lifestyle changes, or assisted reproductive techniques.