Male Infertility
Understanding Infertility
Male Infertility — Causes & Solutions
Male factors contribute to nearly half of all infertility — yet they’re the easiest to test for and often very treatable. It starts with one simple, inexpensive test.
One Test to Start
Most Causes Treatable
The Semen Analysis
One sample measures count, motility, and morphology — a few hundred rupees, one visit, half the diagnostic picture answered in a day. It should always be the first test in any couple’s workup, before any invasive testing on the female partner.
One caution: values fluctuate with illness, stress, heat, and abstinence timing — any abnormal result is repeated after 4–6 weeks before conclusions. One poor report is a data point, not a diagnosis.
The Eight Main Causes
Tap any treatment link to see how each is addressed.
Low Sperm Count (Oligospermia)
Below 15 million/ml reduces natural odds. Causes span hormones, varicocele, heat, lifestyle. Paths: medication, IUI, or ICSI.
Azoospermia (Zero Count)
~1% of men — obstructive or non-obstructive. Sperm can often be retrieved via TESA/Micro-TESE and used with ICSI. Not the end of the road.
Poor Motility
Sperm that can’t swim can’t reach the egg. Washing + IUI, or ICSI, bypasses the problem entirely.
Abnormal Morphology
Too few normal forms lowers fertilising ability — ICSI’s hand-selection under magnification is highly effective here.
Varicocele
Enlarged scrotal veins in up to 40% of affected men — overheats production. Minor surgical repair often improves parameters within months.
Hormonal Imbalance
Thyroid, prolactin, testosterone-signalling issues suppress production. Blood tests find them; medication frequently restores output.
Ejaculation & Erectile Issues
Delivery fails despite normal production. Medication through to retrieval + IUI/ICSI.
Lifestyle & Environment
Smoking, alcohol, obesity, heat, stress all measurably reduce quality — and sperm regenerates every ~72 days. See the 10-week improvement plan →
Treatment Paths
Lifestyle correction and medication · varicocele repair · IUI for mild issues with good post-wash counts · ICSI for significant problems, including surgically retrieved sperm. Most diagnoses today have a working path to fatherhood — the only tragedy is never testing.
Facing chemo, surgery, or vasectomy?
Sperm freezing before the procedure costs ₹5–15k, takes one visit, and preserves options for decades. Urgent banking within 24–48 hours.