Men's conception difficulties

Approximately one in six couples will have difficulties conceiving. Causes of conception difficulties and infertility in men can include:

Causes of conception difficulties and infertility in men can include:

Testicular failure
Absent, deformed or damaged Testicles
Blockage of the Vas Deferens
Chronic illnesses
Social / environmental poisons
Lack of essential nutrients
Low sperm count
Hormonal problems
Immunological problems 

Testicular failure 
This is a rare condition characterised by the production of semen that contains no sperm. It is difficult to determine the cause of testicular failure and there are a number of possibilities, including chromosomal problems, testes that didn't descend properly, injury to the testes, or contracting mumps as an adult.

Absent, deformed or damaged testicles
Absent, small or enlarged testes can all contribute to male infertility. Testes are rarely absent, but sometimes they fail to descend. Small testes may be a symptom of a past illness, developmental problems or an injury. Enlargement of the testes can raise their temperature and inhibit sperm production. This may be due to a hydrocele (excess of lubricating fluid around the testes) or a varicocele (enlargement of the veins around the testes).

There are also factors that can damage chromosomal material in sperm or reduce the amount or motility of sperm. These include infections (including Sexually Transmitted Disease's), mumps during adolescence or early adult life, radiation treatment, drugs for cancer or Crohn's disease, environmental pollutants (lead, mercury, pesticides) and cancer of the testicles.

Blockage of the Vas Deferens
Blockage of the tubes / ducts that connect the testicles to the base of the seminal vesicles and bladder may be present at birth or can be the result of an infection such as gonorrhoea or previous vasectomy. This condition will result in low numbers of sperm or no sperm at all in the ejaculate. Sperm carrying ducts can also be distorted as they reach the area of the prostate gland, resulting in some or all of the ejaculate passing into the bladder. Continued...