What is Male Fertility?
Male fertility is half of the equation when trying to conceive (TTC) and therefore it is equally as important as female fertility. Males contribute to or are responsible for a couple's infertility about 40% of the time, and since male fertility testing is simpler and less invasive than fertility testing in females, it is commonly recommended for fertility testing to begin with the man. Male infertility is the number one single cause of infertility among most couples and it is largely due to abnormal sperm. There are several problems with a man’s sperm that can affect his fertility, such as low sperm count, low sperm motility, and abnormal sperm shape. Some experts suggest that over half of all male infertility is due to a low sperm count. The most common one, low sperm count, is the one that is most often discussed, and with good reason. Some experts suggest that over half of all male infertility is due to a low sperm count.
However, there are other types of sperm problems that can interfere with pregnancy, including low sperm motility (movement) and abnormal sperm. Abnormal sperm can be caused by a number of factors but the most common are age and genetics. As a man ages, sperm tends to have a higher number of genetic abnormalities. It’s more likely for a man in his 50s to have a high number of abnormal sperm than it is for a man in his 20s, for example. Exposure to heavy metals, radiation, and even certain nutrients can also affect your sperm. These can cause a low sperm count, problems with motility as well as abnormal sperm. Abnormal sperm can also be caused by infection, fever, alcohol consumption, smoking, and certain medical abnormalities like a varicocele or a congenital testicular defect.