What makes men infertile

Overview If you and your partner are struggling to have a baby, you're not alone. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Fertilization and implantation Open pop-up dialog box Close. Fertilization and implantation During fertilization, the sperm and egg unite in one of the fallopian tubes to form a zygote. Male reproductive system Open pop-up dialog box Close. Male reproductive system The male reproductive system makes, stores and moves sperm.

Female reproductive system Open pop-up dialog box Close. Female reproductive system The ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina vaginal canal make up the female reproductive system.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Infertility: An overview — A guide for patients. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Accessed April 4, Jameson JL, et al. Female infertility: Evaluation and management. In: Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; Accessed April 27, Clinical management of male infertility.

Accessed March 25, Wein AJ, et al. Male infertility. In: Campbell-Walsh Urology. Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed May 5, Frequently asked questions. In some cases of infertility, a man produces less sperm than normal. The most common cause of this condition is varicocele pronounced VAR-i-koh-seel , an enlarged vein in the testicle.

Report on optimal evaluation of the infertile male. Fertility and Sterility , 86, S—S Optimizing natural fertility. They may be caused by a problem in how the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and testes interact. Treatment may include gonadotropin therapy or antibiotics. Your provider may use surgery to fix problems that keep sperm from being made, matured, or ejaculated.

Surgery to remove twisted, swollen veins in the scrotum varicocele can sometimes improve the quality of sperm. Check with your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you have about your condition. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system. It makes a person unable to have children.

It can affect a man, a woman, or both. Male infertility means that a man has a problem with his reproductive system. It means you cannot start a pregnancy with your female partner.

What causes male infertility? Natural male reproduction depends on several things. You must be able to: Make healthy sperm that can fertilize the egg Have an erection and ejaculate so the sperm reaches the egg Problems with either of these may mean you have infertility. Sperm disorders Problems with making healthy sperm are the most common causes of male infertility.

This problem may be caused by many different conditions, including: Infections or inflammatory conditions. One example is infection with the mumps virus after puberty. Hormone or pituitary gland problems Immune problems in which you make antibodies against your own sperm Environmental and lifestyle factors.

These include tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, use of marijuana or steroids, or exposure to toxins. Genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis or hemochromatosis Structural problems Anything that blocks the genital tract can stop the flow of semen. Other factors Other factors may include erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation.

Who is at risk for male infertility? You may be more likely to have male infertility if you have had: Past inflammation of the prostate or past genital infections Injury to or twisting torsion of the testicles Early or late puberty Exposure of the genitals to high temperatures Hernia repair Undescended testicles You may also be at risk if you take certain prescription medicines.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Diagnostic evaluation of the infertile male: A committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility. Strauss JF, et al. Male infertility. In: Yen and Jaffe's Reproductive Endocrinology. Elsevier; Accessed Nov. Mayo Clinic; What is male infertility? Urology Care Foundation. Anawalt BD, et al. Approach to the male with infertility.

Strasser MO, et al. Care delivery for male infertility — The present and future. Urology Clinics of North America.