Known causes of Male Infertility can be:
Oligospermia:
The most common cause of male infertility is due to a problem in the sperm production
process in the testes. Low numbers of sperm are made and/or the sperm that are made
do not work properly. About two thirds of infertile men have sperm production problems.
Sperm antibodies:
In some men, substances in the semen and/or blood called sperm antibodies can develop
which can reduce sperm movement and block egg binding (where the sperm attaches
to the egg) as is needed for fertilization. About one in every 16 infertile men
has sperm antibodies.
Sexual problems:
Difficulties with sexual intercourse, such as erection or ejaculation problems,
can also stop couples from becoming pregnant. Sexual problems are not a common cause
of infertility.
Hormonal problems:
Sometimes the pituitary gland does not send the right hormonal messages to the testes.
This can cause both low testosterone levels and a failure of the testes to produce
sperm.
Varicocele:
This is a condition of dilated scrotal veins where one or both testicles in men
get affected. However, dilated varicose veins are a common occurrence in both fertile
and infertile men. Due to this condition, the temperature in the testicles rise
and leads to low sperm count. This altered sperm production causes issues with the
flow of sperms and blocks the tube that transports the sperm. In case of a genital
infection along with this condition, it can cause problems in ejaculation and thereby
cause infertility in men.
Prostatitis:
This is an infection in the prostate gland in men and is also known to be one of
the reasons causing infertility. The symptoms for this condition include pain during
or after ejaculation as well as painful urination.
Cystic Fibrosis and Klinefelter’s Syndrome:
This is a genetic disorder which is most likely inherited by men from within the
family genes. Cystic fibrosis is when the pancreas gets scarred and eventually forms
a cyst resulting in infertility. Klinefelter’s syndrome relates to an extra X chromosome
in men. Normally, men are born with a pair of XY chromosomes and women with a pair
of XX chromosomes. In this syndrome, instead of a normal XY chromosome, men are
born with XXY chromosome. This leads to stunted production of the male hormone –
testosterone – and thereby leads to infertility in men.
Heat:
Prolonged exposure to heat from saunas, hot tubs and steam rooms can produce high
scrotal temperatures. This in turn leads to a decline in the healthy function and
count of sperms in men, thus causing infertility problems.
Alcohol, Smoking and Social Drugs:
Chemicals that are inhaled with cigarettes also affect in the conception abilities
as it directly damages the sperm functions in men. Exposure to social drugs like
marijuana, cocaine, etc., also reduces the sperm count and alarmingly increases
the defective sperm percentage.
Industrial chemicals:
Extended exposure to benzenes, toluene, xylene, pesticides, herbicides, organic
solvents, painting materials and lead may contribute to low sperm counts.
Emotional stress:
Stress can interfere with certain hormones needed to produce sperm. Severe or prolonged
emotional stress, including problems with fertility, can affect your sperm count.
General Illnesses:
Sometimes, general illnesses like kidney diseases, abnormal testicular growth, infections,
traumatic damage and cirrhosis are also know to effect the sperm production in men.
These conditions too can have an effect on the infertility issues in men.
- Ativyavayat: Over indulgence in sexual activity.
- Vyayamat: Over exertion, it may include any kind of physical exertion or
strenuous mental efforts.
- Avyayamat: Over relaxation, laziness or spending very leisure life.
- Asatmyanam cha sevanat: Eating over spicy, salted, sour, frozen foods, foods
with low nutrition and lack of hygiene; also behavioural habits like sleeping very
late at night, hectic lifestyle leads to disparity of Rakta and Pitta Dosha, ultimately
causing Shukra kshaya i.e. deficit in Shukra Dhatu qualitatively and quantitatively.
- Akale: It means at inappropriate time; i.e. before desirable age specifically
before age of 16 in females and 18 in that of males, or beyond the age of 65-70
where the body faces generalized debility. Another aspect explains having intercourse
very frequently and many times (5-6 times) in a day also leads to debility of Shukra
dhatu.
- Ayonau: Indulging into sex in other than natural ways, i.e. Masturbation,
oral or anal sex etc.
- Maithunam Na Cha Gachataha: Suppression of sexual urge.