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Routine medical check-ups are essential parts of ensuring your overall well-being. However, a lot of people may skip annual medical visits. Chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure slowly develop and may pose serious health effects. A visit to your health specialist at Marina med spa may detect these medical conditions and others, such as infertility in men, which present no symptoms.
What causes infertility in men?
Infections
Viral infections such as HIV and gonorrhea may interfere with sperm production or sperm health. Other infections such as epididymis or orchitis cause inflammation of the testicles and epididymis. This may cause scarring and result in blocking of the sperm passage. Although there is a treatment for these diseases, certain infections may cause severe and permanent testicular damage.
Varicocele
This is the most common factor that causes male infertility. This condition is caused by the swelling of veins in the scrotal sack. There is no established cause for varicoceles; you may develop this condition due to abnormal blood flow. Varicoceles cause a decrease in sperm quantity and also affect sperm quality.
Hormonal imbalance
Abnormalities in the thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, and hypothalamus glands may result in low production of testosterone hormone. This hormone plays an important role in sex drive and sperm production. Low sperm count may result in infertility.
Risk factors for male infertility
Besides the medical conditions that cause infertility, certain factors may increase your chances of infertility, including:
- Age. As you advance in age, your quality and quantity of sperm in your body reduces. Men over the age of 40 have higher chances of being infertile compared to younger men.
- Smoking and alcohol consumption. Indulgence in heavy drinking decreases motility and quality of sperms.
What to expect during diagnosis for infertility
The causes of infertility are wide and require several tests to establish a particular cause. Both you and your partner may need to visit a specialist for diagnosis. Various diagnostic tests include:
- Semen analysis. Your specialist may require you to produce a semen sample generally obtained by masturbating and ejaculating in a clean container. This sample is then taken to the lab for analysis. Other times, your doctor may test your urine to check for the presence of sperm.
- Testicular biopsy. During this procedure, your doctor uses a needle to obtain testicle samples. This test is used to confirm normal sperm production.
- Scrotal and transrectal ultrasound. A scrotal ultrasound is used to check for varicocele and any other problems in your testicles. During a transrectal ultrasound, your specialist will insert a small, lubricated wand in your rectum to confirm if there is a blockage in the tubes that carry semen.
Treatment for infertility in men
Medications
If an infection accompanies the cause of infertility, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to get rid of the infection. However, this does not resolve infertility.
If your body produces very high or low hormones, your doctor may recommend hormone medications to regulate the production of hormones and increase your fertility chances.
Taking care of yourself involves checking on your health. Reserve a session with your specialist at Marina Medispa for a check-up to improve your reproductive health.
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