Man: How do you know if you're infertile or sterile?

Sometimes, meeting the right person and feeling ready to have a baby isn't enough. The path to conception isn't the same for everyone, and it's very/too often fraught with obstacles. Among them is male infertility, a topic that has finally been openly discussed in recent years. A November 2022 meta-analysis by American and Israeli researchers is particularly alarming: modern lifestyles and environmental changes have led to a significant decline in sperm count worldwide. What are the different methods for diagnosing male infertility? What are its potential causes? What are the various options available for a man to improve his fertility rate? Gentlemen, this article is for you; we're here to help you get the facts straight!

The difference between male sterility and infertility

First and foremost, it's important to understand the difference between infertility and sterility.

Male infertility refers to the inability to conceive a child despite months of regular, unprotected attempts. Important to know: male infertility can contribute to approximately 20% of global infertility cases, and up to 30% to 40% in cases of mixed factors where both partners have an infertility issue.

Male sterility, on the other hand, is defined as the total inability to procreate. It is therefore possible to be infertile without being sterile, as some infertility problems can be successfully treated.

 

 

 

 

Did you know that pollution can affect egg and sperm quality and disrupt hormonal cycles? Learn more in our full article on pollution and fertility!

 

According to medical experts, it is advisable to consult a fertility specialist to assess your situation if you have been trying to conceive for more than a year without success, or 6 months if you are 35 or older. These timelines are based on the statistical probability of conception in fertile couples.

Gentlemen, how to check if you are infertile or sterile?

The main method for determining if a man has fertility problems is to perform a semen analysis in a laboratory, a clinical examination to assess the quality and quantity of your sperm. This examination analyzes several parameters, including sperm morphology, motility, and concentration. It can also reveal any abnormalities in the male reproductive organs that could affect fertility.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a normal semen analysis should have the following characteristics:

• A sperm concentration of at least 15 million per milliliter of semen.
• At least 40% of sperm must have progressive motility.
• At least 4% of sperm must have normal morphology.

Test your fertility by performing a semen analysis

Before performing the spermogram, it is recommended to have a period of sexual abstinence of about 2 to 5 days to obtain a representative sperm sample. The sample is usually collected by masturbation in a sterile container provided by the laboratory, taking care to avoid any contamination with external substances. Once the sample is collected, a macroscopic analysis is performed to evaluate characteristics such as sperm quantity, viscosity, and color. Subsequently, a microscopic analysis is carried out to assess sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and vitality. These parameters provide essential information on sperm quality and its ability to fertilize an egg. It is also possible to perform a home semen analysis using the "SpermCheck" self-test device, which allows for a male fertility test at home by measuring the number of sperm in the semen sample.

However, this device does not provide a detailed analysis of sperm motility and morphology.

Can male sterility and/or infertility be detected without a medical test?

It is not possible to accurately diagnose male sterility or infertility without medical tests. Visible symptoms, such as erectile or ejaculatory problems, are not always indicative of fertility issues. Only a spermogram and other specialized medical examinations can provide precise information about your fertility.

The male fertility assessment includes several examinations to determine the causes of infertility and decide on the appropriate treatment. In addition to a spermogram to evaluate sperm quality, basic examinations include a physical exam to rule out testicular or ejaculatory problems. If abnormalities are detected, a hormonal assessment may be prescribed to check male sex hormone levels.

Additional tests may also be prescribed, such as sperm DNA analysis, sperm culture, karyotype analysis, hyposmotic test, and FISH test to evaluate normal chromosomal endowment.

 

Causes of male infertility

Many factors can explain male infertility problems.

Unsurprisingly, your lifestyle greatly impacts your fertility. An unbalanced diet, excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco, and drugs can significantly affect sperm quality. Stress can also play a crucial role: studies have shown that chronic stress can alter reproductive hormone levels and reduce sperm quality. But experts also point to environmental factors such as exposure to toxic chemicals in the environment (industrial chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, and endocrine disruptors). These can disrupt the male hormonal system, leading to altered sperm production and fertility. Certain underlying medical problems such as hormonal disorders, genital infections, congenital anomalies like obstructions of the vas deferens, and immunological disorders can also contribute to decreased male fertility.

Age can also play a role, as you can read in our article "How long is a man fertile?".

How to increase a man's fertility rate?

If you are experiencing male infertility issues, there are certain steps you can take to increase your fertility rate. First of all, as you've probably gathered, it's essential to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Marie-Liesse Goutte, a phyto-aromatherapy consultant specializing in fertility restoration, explained to us how important it is to take care of one's liver to improve female fertility. But this advice also applies to men. Studies have shown that adopting a balanced diet rich in nutrients, including fruits, vegetables, seeds, lean protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, can improve sperm quality. Furthermore, maintaining an optimal body weight is recommended, as obesity can alter sperm production.

Relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and regular exercise, can help reduce stress and improve fertility.

In addition to a healthy lifestyle, certain supplements can also be beneficial. For example, taking antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc. It is with this objective that we designed our fertility vitamins for men, Baby Boost Homme. Composed of NAC, maca, zinc, and coenzyme Q10, among others, this product improves sperm motility and increases their concentration. We opted for the most natural form, with our pullulan capsules, and without adding controversial additives or excipients.

For infertile couples, we recommend our Baby Boost Duo pack which combines Baby Boost Homme and Baby Boost Femme, based on plants and vitamins, specially designed to increase female fertility during the reproductive period.

Finally, it is, of course, recommended to consult a fertility specialist for personalized advice and to consider other options, such as assisted reproductive technology. Male fertility is a complex and often taboo subject, but there are treatment options available for male infertility that can significantly increase your chances of conceiving a child. Thanks to advances in reproductive medicine, many methods and techniques are now accessible, such as assisted reproductive technology (ART), hormonal treatments, or even corrective surgery in certain cases. With adequate support and a personalized approach, it is possible to overcome obstacles related to infertility.