Did you know that about one-third of infertility issues come from men? Another one-third come from women, with the final one-third being due to both people, other factors of unknown causes.
Unless you’ve tried to donate sperm or conceive a child, you may not know if you’re infertile. And while some causes of infertility create an irreversible problem, there are plenty of causes that can be treated to restore fertility.
Signs, symptoms and causes of infertility in men
Some of the better-known risk factors for infertility in men (and women) include age, smoking (tobacco or weed), excessive alcohol consumption, STDs, stress, obesity and poor dietary habits.
Assuming you haven’t had your semen tested, how would you know if you’re infertile? There are some signs and symptoms that can hint to the problem.
• Erectile dysfunction
If you regularly have trouble getting or keeping an erection, it can make sex impossible. There are lots of reasons men experience erectile dysfunction, and most are treatable. From psychological factors such as stress or depression to physical issues or hormonal changes, it’s worth pursuing the cause to get to the root of the problem.
• Ejaculation issues
Have you noticed that you’re having difficulty ejaculating? Or that there’s less ejaculate when you do climax? These changes could be due to an underlying issue that’s affecting your fertility.
• Changes to your testicles
While swollen or painful testicles may signal an infection, which can impact fertility and sperm quality, firm or small testicles that feel “tight” might be a result of hormone issues.
• Hormone imbalances
Problems related to the pituitary gland can affect the production of hormones, which can lead to fertility issues.
If you’ve been trying to conceive for more than a year (or more than six months if you’re over 35), it may be time to see your doctor. A thorough exam and tests can help determine if there’s a problem and if so, what can be done about it. It may be something as simple as making a lifestyle adjustment!
