Some Common Medical Reasons Men Are Infertile
Far too often, a couple turns to invasive procedures like in vitro fertilization without a man's being properly diagnosed or treated, says Harry Fisch, a professor of clinical urology at Columbia University Medical Center and author of the Male Biological Clock. Yet, two thirds of the time infertility is related to a problem with the man. The good news is that a low sperm count can often be reversed through lifestyle measures or a doctor's interventions. Here are some common medical causes:
* Heat trappers. About 20 percent of men have a varicocele, a bundle of engorged veins in the scrotum that traps heat, often reducing sperm counts. It's treatable with outpatient surgery that involves a small abdominal incision and the insertion of a laparoscope to locate the distended veins and tie them off.
* Hormonal problems. Some men have low levels of luteinizing hormone or follicle stimulating hormone, both needed to produce sperm. The drug clomiphene citrate can help boost hormone levels and improve sperm counts.
* Infections. Bacteria in the prostate or testicles can trigger inflammation that leads to blockages. A course of antibiotics can clear it up.
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