As a couple, the next step in your relationship after marriage is often having children. Excited to start a family, you and your spouse try and try to have a baby, yet you still have trouble achieving a pregnancy. You begin to worry. Then, frustration and panic sets in. Now what?
First and foremost, know that you are not alone. On average, one in eight couples has trouble achieving or maintaining pregnancy due to infertility. Infertility is the inability to become pregnant after one year of unprotected intercourse. Approximately one-third of infertility is male-related, one-third is female-related and one-third is a combination of both.
Without seeing a doctor, it’s hard to determine the exact reason that you and your spouse are struggling with infertility. However, the good news is that a majority of these cases are treated successfully with drug or surgical therapy, and only a small percentage require assisted reproduction.
What Are the Main Causes of Male Infertility?
First of all, it’s important to know that nothing is “wrong” with you. Male infertility is a very common problem that can often be overcome. However, it is important to see your doctor to figure out what the cause may be. Below are some of the main causes of male infertility that I typically see in my patients:
Hormonal Imbalances
In many cases, male infertility can be caused by hormonal imbalances within your body. This might include low thyroid hormone levels or low signaling from your pituitary gland, which causes abnormal production of testosterone. Another cause I see among men is elevated prolactin hormone levels. These high levels can reduce sperm production and lead to significant problems with infertility.
– Read the entire article at: Orlando Health Blog