To determine whether your concerns with fertility stem from a male factor, it is critical to undergo a male evaluation. PCRM recommends a male evaluation prior to starting any female fertility treatments.

Male Factor Infertility can be caused by a number of factors:

• Low sperm development
• Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
• Vasectomy
• Severe abnormalities

Male Factor Infertility FAQ

What causes low sperm development?

Oftentimes, if sperm development is low, it can be traced to environmental factors, like temperature. When the testicular temperature is too high, the scrotum expands and the testicles move further from the body. When the temperature is too low, the opposite happens; the testicles are brought closer to the body.

Scrotal temperature can also be raised by Varicocele, a condition that causes varicose veins to collect in the spermatic cord (which carries blood away from the testicles). When this blood flow is reduced, the scrotal temperature increases leading to reduced fertility.

What is hypogonadotropic hypogonadism?

It is a rare condition that causes infertility in men, but that also can be effectively treated. Treatments have been proven to enhance sperm development but are often costly because sperm can take several months to develop.

If I’ve had a vasectomy, can I have it reversed?

Maybe. Although a vasectomy is considered a permanent means of birth control, it is sometimes possible to reverse it. The success of a reversed vasectomy, however, is not guaranteed. It depends on where and how the tubes were cut.

How do I know if I have severe abnormalities?

Severe abnormalities are detected on a semen analysis. When an analysis shows signs of abnormality, the patient is often referred to a male fertility specialist (urologist) for further investigations to determine the possible causes.