Fertility Answers - Helping Build Families

Male Infertility Causes

Discover common male infertility causes and find treatment options

At our Louisiana fertility clinic, we support many men in understanding and overcoming male infertility causes. With the right infertility diagnosis, a customized treatment plan and compassionate care, the journey to take home a healthy baby can be more straight-forward and stress-free.

Exploring male infertility causes

For conception to occur, a man must be able to make healthy sperm that can fertilize an egg. He must also be able to have an erection and ejaculate so that the sperm reaches the egg. If there are issues with any of these steps, a man may be dealing with infertility. While many male infertility causes go unidentified, there are certain challenges that have been indicated as potential causes.

  • Problems related to sperm production. Male infertility can occur when there is a low sperm count, or problems with the movement or shape of the sperm. Sperm with poor motility often have difficulty reaching the egg. Abnormally shaped sperm are sometimes unable to penetrate and fertilize the egg. In addition, sperm DNA damage may interfere with conception or lead to a greater risk of miscarriage.
  • Issues with the anatomy or structure of the man’s reproductive organs. Structural or anatomical problems that cause blockages can be one of the many male infertility causes. These structural or anatomical problems may be caused by scar tissue, varicose veins around the testicles or an infection.
  • Immune system disorders. In some cases, men have immune system disorders that cause their bodies to develop antibodies that attack and weaken the sperm. The antibodies can also attach to the sperms’ surface and impede their movement or ability to fertilize the egg.
  • Additional male infertility causes. Genetic defects, testicular trauma, hormonal imbalances, erectile dysfunction or exposure to radiation and certain medications are additional causes. A man’s age can also cause infertility.

With the support of the male infertility specialists at our Louisiana fertility clinic, many of these issues can be resolved.

How we can help

The first step in receiving support for male infertility causes is often a series of sperm tests and a review of the man’s medical history. From there, a physical exam, hormone testing, genetic screening and genital tract imaging can be used to help discover why a man has infertility.

After a specialist at our Louisiana fertility clinic makes the right diagnosis, they work with the man to create a customized treatment plan that gives him the best chance of becoming a father. Contact us for more information about male infertility causes.