How to Cure Infertility in Males

Yearning for parenthood brings immense joy—but when conception doesn’t happen, it naturally leads to concern and questions. Many couples assume the issue lies with the woman, yet in fact male-factor infertility can also play a major role. Globally, the burden of male infertility is rising: the age-standardised prevalence rate increased by about 19 % from 1990 to 2019.

Dr. Nisarg Patel, an experienced fertility specialist at Nisha IVF Centre in Ahmedabad, emphasises:

“Male infertility is not a personal failure—it’s a medical condition and deserves thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment.”

Before addressing “how to cure male infertility,” it’s essential to understand what it means.

Infertility in a male partner is defined when a couple is unable to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse and a male factor is identified.

Here are major causes explained:

Low sperm count (oligozoospermia): When sperm concentration is below the normal threshold, the chance of fertilising the egg drops.

Poor sperm motility (asthenozoospermia): Even if numbers are adequate, if the sperm cannot swim well or reach the egg, fertilisation may fail.

Abnormal sperm morphology (teratozoospermia): Many sperm may have structural defects which impair their ability to fertilize.

Blockages or surgical history: Obstructions in the sperm-delivery ducts (e.g., after vasectomy) or trauma can halt the transport of sperm.

Hormonal or genetic issues: Hormone imbalances, chromosomal variations or gene mutations may impair sperm production or function.

Lifestyle, environmental and medical factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol, obesity, exposure to toxins, high testicular temperature, stress—all amplify risk. For example, in India shifting lifestyles and environmental factors are being linked to the rising male infertility burden.

Understanding the root causes is the first step toward answering how to cure male infertility.

While male infertility may occur without obvious symptoms, some warning signs warrant attention:

• Difficulty conceiving despite trying for a year or more.
• Changes in sexual function—reduced libido, difficulty maintaining erection or ejaculatory issues.
• Pain, swelling or lumps in the testicular/scrotal area (may indicate varicocele or other pathology).
• History of repeated infections (e.g., of the prostate or testes), previous surgeries, or past chemotherapy/radiation.
• Low facial or body hair, signs of hormonal disorders.

Dr. Nisarg Patel, a dedicated male fertility specialist in Ahmedabad, notes: “Symptoms of male infertility are often subtle and ignored—many men assume everything is fine. But in the context of delayed conception, even a minor issue merits evaluation.”

Next, let’s turn to how male infertility is diagnosed.

When a male partner is evaluated for fertility, a systematic approach is taken. This is how it works—step by step:

Medical and sexual history: Duration of trying to conceive, previous pregnancies, sexual habits, past surgeries, infections, exposures, lifestyle factors.

Physical examination: Assessment of testicular size, presence of varicocele, abnormalities in the reproductive tract.

Semen analysis: The cornerstone test—evaluates sperm count, motility and morphology. Abnormal results raise flags.

Hormonal testing: Levels of testosterone, FSH, LH, prolactin, thyroid hormones to identify endocrine causes.

Imaging and specialised tests: Ultrasound of scrotum and pelvis, genetic tests (karyotype, Y-chromosome microdeletions), DNA fragmentation assays in selected cases.

Dr. Nisarg Patel, a skilled male fertility physician in Ahmedabad, advises:

“Accurate diagnosis is half the cure. Without identifying which component of sperm production or delivery is affected, treatments may be generic and less effective. That’s why we tailor investigations and therapy.”

Now we move to how to cure male infertility with modern methods.

First and often foundational begins with…

Lifestyle Modifications

• Quit smoking and limit alcohol, as both impair sperm quality.
• Maintain a healthy body-weight and engage in regular physical activity.
• Avoid overheating of testes (e.g., hot baths, tight underwear, laptops on laps) since high scrotal temperature reduces sperm production.
• Reduce stress; ensure sufficient sleep; manage underlying medical conditions (diabetes, hypertension).
• Follow a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and nutrients that support sperm health.

Medications

When lifestyle alone falls short, targeted pharmacotherapy is used:

• Hormonal therapies when endocrine imbalance exists (e.g., low testosterone, elevated FSH/LH).
• Treatments for infections of the reproductive tract that may impair sperm.
• Supplements or medications to optimise sperm motility or morphology.

Surgical Treatments

Surgery is indicated when structural issues are present:

• Varicocelectomy to correct varicoceles (dilated veins in the scrotum) which can impair sperm production.
• Surgical correction of blockages in the sperm ducts (vas deferens, epididymis) or reversal of previous vasectomy.
• Microsurgical sperm retrieval operations when no sperm is present in ejaculate (azoospermia) but production remains in testes.

Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART)

When the above do not suffice, advanced fertility methods come into play:

• In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a common option: one sperm is injected directly into the egg to bypass poor sperm count/mobility.
• Sperm retrieval from testes or epididymis coupled with ICSI in cases of azoospermia.
• Use of donor sperm may be discussed in rare cases when no viable sperm can be obtained.

Dr. Nisarg Patel, an experienced fertility specialist in Ahmedabad, says: “The question isn’t simply ‘How to cure male infertility?’ but ‘What treatment aligns with the identified defect and the couple’s goals?’ With ART like ICSI, many men once labelled ‘hopeless’ now father children.”

It’s time to address a common concern …

The answer depends on the underlying cause and timely intervention—though there are encouraging prospects:

• If infertility stems from modifiable lifestyle factors or reversible blockage, full or near-full recovery is possible.
• If genetic defects or very low sperm production exist, ‘cure’ may be difficult—but significant improvement and fathering a child via ART is realistic.
• In many documented Indian studies, treatment of male infertility via surgery or ART led to conception rates of 33 %–41 %.

You should consider consulting a fertility specialist if any of the following apply:

• You’ve been trying to conceive for one year (or six months if the female partner is over 35) without success.
• The male partner has known risk factors: history of pelvic surgery, testicular trauma, varicocele, infections, hormonal disorders, chemotherapy.
• Semen analysis previously revealed low sperm count, motility or abnormal morphology.
• There are symptoms like testicular swelling, pain, sexual dysfunction or endocrine signs (low hair, low libido, etc).
• Lifestyle factors (heavy smoking, obesity, high-heat exposure, chronic medical illnesses) are present and may impact fertility.

Tackling male infertility is not about blame—it’s about understanding, diagnosing and treating a medical condition that affects thousands of couples in India and worldwide. With appropriate evaluation and a tailored plan—from lifestyle changes to advanced treatments—you can meaningfully improve your chances of fatherhood. The journey begins with awareness, action and consultation. Don’t let uncertainty delay the next step toward parenthood.

References:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17201-male-infertility

https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/fertility-faqs/male-fertility/male-fertility-problems/

 Disclaimer: The information shared in this content is for educational purposes only and not for promotional use.