Why is it difficult to have children? In-depth causes from the male side
The causes of male infertility mostly come from 3 main factors:
- Abnormal sperm quality Low count, low motility, or abnormal shape
- Anatomical factors such as varicocele or blocked sperm ducts
- Lifestyle such as stress, obesity without exercise, smoking, and excessively high testicular temperature
Semen analysis is therefore the fastest and most accurate method for diagnosis.
Sperm quality is the key to having children
The WHO 2021 standard criteria define 3 important values:
- Count At least 16 million per milliliter
- Motility Total motility 42% or progressive motility greater than 30%
- Morphology Normal shape (normal head and tail) more than 4%
Physical causes and underlying diseases
- Varicocele The number 1 cause that damages sperm production due to heat
- Pituitary gland abnormalities Causing inability to produce sperm
- Retrograde ejaculation Sperm flows backward into the bladder
- Infections Such as sexually transmitted diseases or mumps affecting the testes
Lifestyle and environmental factors
- Accumulated heat Wearing tight underwear or placing a laptop on the lap
- Free radicals Smoking and alcohol damage sperm DNA
- Chemicals and pollution Exposure to lead, pesticides, or PM 2.5 dust
Treatment approaches and medical technology
- Hormone therapy For cases of low hormone levels
- IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) For cases of mild sperm abnormalities
- ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) Selecting the strongest sperm and injecting it directly into the egg
Frequently asked questions about male infertility
Q: Which vitamins help strengthen sperm?
A: Vitamins such as Vitamin C, Zinc, Selenium, L-carnitine, and Coenzyme Q10 help increase sperm count and motility.
Q: How many days should a man abstain from ejaculation before sperm testing?
A: It is recommended to abstain for about 2-7 days for optimal quality and quantity.
