Male Fertility

Read this article to learn more about preparing your body if you are planning to have a baby.
Understanding male fertility is crucial when planning for parenthood.
Of note, male fertility is equally as important as female fertility when trying to start a family, as 30-50% of infertility cases are due to causes found in men.
It’s important that both partners take good care of their health when planning to become a parent.

Male infertility

Fertility is the ability to get pregnant, and infertility refers to the trouble getting pregnant after 12 months of frequent and regular unprotected sex. Males need to produce sperm to fertilise an egg, which leads to pregnancy. Male infertility refers to issues with male sperm that stops the process of fertilisation.
Issues with male fertility may include:

• Blockage of sperm path
• Low quality sperm including an abnormal shape or poor movement
• Low number of sperm in ejaculate material
• Issues with erections
• Hormonal imbalances

Different factors can influence fertility in men, and may include:  

• Hormone disorders and medications that interfere with hormones
• Testicular trauma or previous treatment involving the testicles
• Structural changes blocking the passage of sperm
• Systemic illness of the body such as diabetes
• Genetic conditions
• Lifestyle issues such as obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, stress or excessive exercise

Frequency of sexual intercourse should be timed around ovulation (mid-cycle) or every two to three days to maintain best sperm quality and quantity in all men. Having sex too often may reduce sperm quality and number.

Discussion with your local family doctor or specialist can help identify the cause of your infertility and which investigations may be useful in your case.

Doctors and other healthcare specialists may ask you questions about your medical history, lifestyle and reproductive health. They may also request to examine your body, including your genitals. It is important to recognise that you have the right to refuse any examination or investigation requested to you by your healthcare practitioner.

Below are brief explanations of potential tests that might be requested by your healthcare team:

• Blood tests looking at hormone levels
• Semen analysis where the volume of sperm, quality, size, shape, and number is analysed. This test will require you to abstain from ejaculation 2-7 days prior (ask your doctor about the exact time required), and will often need to be brought in within 1 hour of the sample being taken, and kept at body temperature, avoiding extreme cold and hot temperatures. The pathology service that will analyse the sample will tell you their exact requirements as each service may be different
• Ultrasound of the scrotum and groin looking for any structural abnormalities
• Genetic testing may be offered if any abnormalities are detected in the above tests
• Further investigation may be required

The following healthcare professionals can talk to you about getting ready for the best chance at pregnancy:

• Family doctor
• Nurse
• Urologist
• Obstetrician/gynaecologist
• Sexual health specialist
• Fertility specialist
• Allied Health professional (e.g. dietician, diabetes educator, physiotherapist or pharmacist)
• Specialist practitioner (e.g. endocrinologist)

If you have any questions, please reach out to your family doctor.

For further information:

Monash IVF – male infertility
IVF Australia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_FxoU__FfY&ab_channel=IVFAustralia – Male infertility IVF Australia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCzK4oxhB8U&ab_channel=ClevelandClinic – Cleveland clinic information  for patients – 4 causes of male infertility

Sources:

https://www.ivf.com.au/planning-for-pregnancy/male-fertility/semen-analysis

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/infertility-in-men

https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2017/september/male-infertility

https://monashivf.com/blog/understanding-male-infertility-and-treatment