Treatment for Male Infertility
Written by Dr.M.D.Mazumdar, MD
Treatment of male infertility is very difficult. This is because the exact cause of infertility in men is hard to identify. In most men, the semen analysis may show a low sperm count but it is difficult to identify the cause of this decrease in the sperm count.
General Advice
- Stop smoking as nicotine impairs both development and maturation of sperm.
- Stop taking alcohol or at least decrease the intake of alcohol.
- Avoid exposure to heavy metals like lead, cadmium and mercury. Certain anesthetic medicines are also known to cause a low sperm count.
- Obesity should be controlled.
- Avoid tight underwear, especially non-porous synthetic ones. Heat impairs development of sperm. Cold baths should be encouraged.
- Advise to improve general health. Supplementary vitamins of Vit B12, Vit E, Folic Acid and Zinc and thyroid hormones are often prescribed but their value has not been well documented. A lycopene supplement is also necessary.
- Avoid injury to the scrotum by wearing protection during sports.
- A course of antibiotics may be necessary to cure any infection in the prostate or the genital tract.
Treatment for Low Sperm Count (Oligospermia)
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- Insemination with Husband's Semen (AIH) This is done in cases of impenetrable cervical mucous or when disease or deformity of the cervix makes it impossible for the sperm to enter the uterus. It is also carried out in cases of impotence or premature ejaculation.
- Insemination with Donor Semen (AID) AID is usually carried out in couples where the husband suffers from azoospermia or complete absence of sperm.
The advantage of this method is that only a single sperm is needed - even men with a very low sperm count can become fathers with this treatment method. In men who have been found to be azoospermic, that is with no sperm at all in the semen, sperm can be suctioned out of the vas deferens ( male tubes). Sperm can also be liberated from the testes itself by careful testicular biopsy and culture by a method called MESA - Microepididymal sperm aspiration.
Prevention of Male Infertility:
Undescended testes should be treated at the earliest during infancy before testicular function is damaged. Infections by mumps and other viruses should be managed by keeping a watchful eye on complications in the testes.Also Read-
- Changes in Cervical mucus during the Menstrual Cycle.
- Centchroman and other Birth Control Methods.
- Genital Warts and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases .
- Symptoms of Pregnancy.
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