Male Fertility Specialists in San Diego

Low sperm count is a condition called oligospermia. This is the term used to describe the condition when the sperm count is low. If there are no sperm at all in the semen sample, the condition is termed azoospermia. In cases of low sperm or no sperm, we recommend to come in for an appointment to take a more detailed history and to examine the male. In his history, specific questions will be asked about any past condition that may have affected the testicles. The specialist will also ask questions regarding whether he has had any operations in the groin area or for undescended testicles in childhood and ask whether there has been any major injury or infection in the genital area. Take our online questionnaire for self-evaluation.

Infected semen can be a cause of infertility. Previously it was believed that mumps could cause sterility in men. However, it is now known that even when the testicles are involved in mumps orchitis (very painful swelling of the testicles), it is extremely rare for this to lead to sterility.

Other factors that may affect sperm production ...
Heat can have a detrimental effect on normal sperm production. It is for this reason that nature has placed the testicles outside the body in the scrotum rather than in the abdomen like the ovaries. Some infertile men soak themselves in a bathtub full of scalding water and emerge looking like lobsters. This can almost stop sperm production completely.

Obese men can also become sterile because the sagging layers of fat can overheat the testicles. Men whose jobs involve long hours of sitting, e.g. long distance lorry-drivers may have infertility due to the increased heat to the genital area.

Very frequent intercourse can lead to the demand exceeding the supply. There are quite a number of infertile men whose sex drive is such that they must ejaculate 2-3 times a day. This explodes the myth that links infertility to lack of virility. It can be extremely difficult for these men to reduce their ejaculation rate to every 48 hours.

Smoking over 20 cigarettes a day has been shown to reduce both the sperm count and the sperm motility to quite a major degree.

Excessive alcohol intake will lead to infertility mainly because a man loses both the inclination and the ability to rise to the occasion! Alcohol can also lower the production of sperm and of the male hormone testosterone.

The workaholic husband can find that fatigue can have similar effects on his interest in intercourse as excessive alcohol intake.

See our complete list of factors that can effect male fertility.

What problems may be identified during examination ...
Every infertile man must be carefully examined. The examination of the external genitalia in the male rarely shows anything out of the ordinary. However, sometimes one or both testicles are very small or rarely may even be absent. Additionally there may be congenital absence of each vas deferens, the ducts through which sperm pass from the testicles to the female at intercourse.

Other factors which may contribute to lowered fertility, and which can be identified on examination include a wide range of chemical substances can affect sperm quality and/or quantity, including medications. The medications listed below have been associated with male infertility:

• Anabolic steroids
• Antihypertensives
• Allopurinol
• Erythromycin
• Chemotherapy
• Cimetidine
• Colchicine
• Cyclosporine
• Dilantin
• Gentamycin
• Nitrofurantoin
• Tetracycline

See also:
Male Infertility Overview
Cures for Male Infertility
Treatments for Male Infertility

 

 

 

Male Fertility Specialists
6699 Alvarado Road, Suite 2207
San Diego, CA 92120
(619) 286-3520

Visit our other websites:
www.vasectomyinfo.com | www.martinbastuba.com