Many couples in Germany long for a child, but around 15 percent of couples are denied this wish because either the man or the woman is sterile or incapable of having children. While one speaks of infertility in women, this is called infertility in men.
What is infertility?
A man is said to be infertile when a couple fails to conceive a child after a year of unprotected sex. For helicobacter pylori infection basics, please visit theinternetfaqs.com.
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 men. In only 20 percent of cases, the cause lies with both partners.
Causes
Infertility in men can have numerous causes and starts with stress, too much alcohol and smoking, and drug abuse. Certain medications and excessive coffee consumption can also lead to infertility.
Incidentally, these are causes that can affect both sexes equally. In addition, there are also a number of reasons that only affect men. This includes, for example, a relocation of the seed ducts. In this case, the testicles produce enough sperm, but their path through the vas deferens is blocked.
Other men, on the other hand, simply do not produce enough motile sperm (usually one milliliter of semen should contain around 20 million sperm cells). Undescended testicles in childhood can also cause later infertility in men.
Some diseases can also trigger this infertility in men. Inflammation of the epididymis or urethra should be mentioned here in particular. Chlamydia infection can also cause infertility in men.
Symptoms, Ailments & Signs
Sometimes male infertility is due to physical illnesses that manifest themselves in symptoms such as pain. However, infertility often does not cause any directly tangible physical symptoms such as pain. Rather, there are indirect signs that indicate that there may be infertility. For example, after a year of unprotected sex without becoming pregnant, a couple should be examined by a specialist for fertility problems.
Complaints associated with infertility are often also of a psychological nature. If a desire to have children does not come true, many of those affected develop depressive moods up to suicidal thoughts. Social isolation is a frequently described symptom on the psychological level.
Those affected often try to avoid social contact because they want to avoid stressful situations such as questions about family planning or being confronted with other people’s pregnancies. Psychological support is often useful in order to avoid or break through mental illnesses, especially in the case of long-term unsuccessful therapy for infertility.
Diagnosis & History
As a rule, only a urologist can make a definitive diagnosis. Since the male infertility does not cause any physical symptoms, this becomes apparent at the latest when the desire to have children is reached. At that point, at the latest, most men also start to deal with the topic of infertility.
However, it is also possible that the man notices a sudden change in the size of the testicles or a significant increase or decrease in weight. In this case, a doctor should be consulted, because these symptoms can certainly indicate infertility.
The doctor will first carefully examine the patient’s medical history and pay particular attention to childhood diseases such as mumps. The man’s habits are also examined closely; after all, heavy smokers are far more likely to be infertile than non-smokers.
This is followed by a physical examination, during which the testicles, epididymis and prostate are palpated. The quality of the sperm is also examined.
Complications
Infertility and infertility in men primarily have a very negative effect on everyday life and also on the psychological state of the patient. 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 therefore often do not go to a doctor.
As a rule, however, infertility and infertility in men do not heal themselves. The condition can also lead to tension and complications in the relationship. However, 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 also depend very much on the underlying disease.
In most cases, male infertility and infertility cannot be fully treated. Those affected are then dependent on other options to pursue their desire to have children. There are no particular complications. A healthy lifestyle can prevent this disease. In the case of genetic defects, prevention of the disease is not possible.
When should you go to the doctor?
In the case of infertility and infertility in men, a doctor should always be consulted, since these complaints cannot be healed on their own. The earlier a doctor is consulted, the better the further course of this disease is usually. In many cases, infertility and infertility in men is a complication of another disease, so the primary disease should be treated first.
In the case of this disease, a doctor should be contacted if the person concerned is unable to have children and is therefore unable to fulfill their desire to have children. In many cases, infertility and infertility in men can also lead to psychological upsets or depression, so that treatment and examination by a doctor should also be carried out in this case. The disease itself is usually recognized and treated by a urologist. Whether there can be a complete cure cannot be predicted in general.
Treatment & Therapy
Treatment for male infertility depends on the underlying cause. Many couples consciously avoid therapy and decide to either remain childless or adopt a child.
However, if the desire to have your own child is too great, you should think about the many treatment options. It is also possible that the male infertility is not caused by the body but by a psychological background. In this case, a consultation with a psychologist may help. In the case of hormonal disorders, hormone therapy is very suitable.
In the case of physical malpositions, such as stuck vas deferens, a simple operation can quickly help. Last but not least, artificial insemination of the wife should not go unmentioned – an option that many couples also choose. However, there is definitely a risk of multiple births here.
Prevention
The only way a man can prevent infertility is through a healthy lifestyle. Avoiding alcohol and cigarettes can help here, as can sufficient exercise and sport. Obesity should be avoided completely, because then the sperm also become sluggish. Stress should be avoided as much as possible.
Inflammatory diseases must be treated as soon as possible. Here it is also the task of the parents to look after their male offspring. Vaccination against mumps, rubella and measles are particularly important here.
Aftercare
If the man is infertile and infertile, this can put a strain on a partnership. If various treatment options have already been carried out and are unsuccessful, there are a few points that need to be considered for aftercare. The psychological and mental aspect in particular should not be ignored when there is an unfulfilled desire to have children, since this topic can put a great strain on the man concerned and the relationship with his partner.
There is guilt, self-questioning, and all of this can become depressing, distressing, or even lead to depression. So 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 look more positively into the future. Many couples find it helpful to do therapy together in order to find solutions together for further action.
Alternative treatment methods can also help, especially when conventional medicine has not led to the desired result. There are several options that a man or the 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 one’s own infertility and infertility and can help to find alternative solutions to this problem.
You can do that yourself
After the diagnosis of infertility and infertility, it is advisable to first consult a therapist or the profamilia association. The causes of infertility must 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 there are options such as 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 identified, 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 psychological causes are suspected. Accompanying this, drug treatment is possible, for example to compensate for a hormone deficiency. These measures improve fertility and increase the likelihood of fertilization of the egg cell. The exact measures are based on the cause and severity of the infertility and must be discussed with a specialist.
