What Causes Male Infertility? Common Factors and When to Get Tested
What Causes Male Infertility? Common Factors and When to Get Tested
About 15% of couples struggle with infertility—meaning they haven't gotten pregnant after trying without protection for at least one year. Infertility affects men and women at similar rates.
The underlying cause of infertility can be found with the help of fertility specialists.
Causes of Male Infertility
Male fertility depends on hormones, sperm production, and the ability of sperm to reach and fertilize an egg. Several factors can play a role.
1. Low or No Sperm
Some men have a low number of sperm (oligozoospermia) or no sperm at all (azoospermia).
Possible physical causes include:
- Varicocele: An enlarged vein in the scrotum can reduce sperm count.
- Undescended testes: A testicle that stays in the body, where higher temperatures can harm sperm production.
2. Medical Conditions
Certain health problems can affect sperm quality and count. These include:
3. Genetic Disorders
Some genetic conditions can interfere with normal sperm production, including:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Chromosome defects
- Kallman syndrome
Injuries to the spinal cord or pelvis can also impact fertility by affecting nerves involved in erections and ejaculation.
4. Environmental Factors
Emerging research—including studies from University of Utah Health—shows that environmental exposures may influence male fertility. These factors include:
- Location: Men in large metro areas tend to seek fertility care more than those in rural regions.
- Air quality: Long-term, low-level exposure to certain industrial air pollutants can disrupt hormones. Many of these chemicals act as endocrine disruptors and can interfere with reproductive function.
- Seasonal patterns: Sperm count and concentration tend to be higher during winter and spring than in summer and fall.
It’s important to remember that environmental exposures alone rarely determine fertility.
“Having exposure to pollution or living in a city does not mean someone will be infertile,” says Alexander Pastuszak, MD, a urologist and men’s reproductive and sexual health specialist at University of Utah Health. “Instead, these findings help us understand the many influences on reproductive health.”
If you’re concerned about how your environment may be affecting fertility, specialists at U of U Health can help you understand your personal situation and discuss evaluation or treatment options.
5. Lifestyle Choices
Everyday habits can affect male fertility, including:
- Tobacco use
- Long-term narcotic use/abuse
- Drinking a moderate to excessive amount of alcohol
- Overheating the testicles regularly (using a hot tub or sauna)
- Obesity
- Poorly treated diabetes
Many factors can influence male infertility. Couples facing challenges with conception have options to understand their fertility and explore treatment. If you’re wondering whether you might be at risk, learning about testing and evaluation early can help.
