Having trouble conceiving can be an emotional roller coaster. According to MayoClinic.com, the male is responsible for infertility in about 20 percent of cases, while both the male and female have fertility problems in an additional 30 to 40 percent of cases. Fortunately, treatments are available that can help improve male fertility.
Causes of Infertility in Men
It’s important to understand the cause of infertility to use the right treatment to fix it. In some cases, there is a low sperm count or the quality of the sperm is low. In other cases, there is a blockage or other reason why the man is unable to ejaculate effectively. Infertility in men can also be a result of an infection or a hormone imbalance.
Medical Treatments
Once the doctor determines the cause of the infertility problem, she can then begin to treat it. In cases of infection or hormone imbalances, medication may be all the treatment you need to see improvement. A surgery may be able to remove an obstruction that is making ejaculation impossible. Another solution to an obstruction is in vitro fertilization, or IVF, where the doctor fertilizes an egg with sperm outside the body, and then attempts to place the embryo inside the woman’s uterus.
Home Treatments
You may be able to cure infertility issues by making some simple changes to your lifestyle. You can improve sperm quality by eating healthier foods, exercising regularly and limiting the amount of caffeine that you drink. Using lubricants when having sex can also hinder the flow of sperm. Either avoid them or use ones that are meant for couples who are trying to conceive.
Alternative Medicine
MayoClinic.com states that some vitamins and herbs, such as vitamin C, zinc, selenium, vitamin E, vitamin B12, Asian ginseng, L-arginine and L-carnitine can improve fertility in men. Additionally, professional acupuncture may be able to remove energy blockages in your system that are preventing your reproductive system from proper function.
Chances of Success
The higher your sperm count, the better your chance of success in conceiving. If fertility treatments push your sperm count above 20 million, you have about a 3 percent chance of conceiving within one month of treatment. The biggest chance of success lies with IVF, where you have about a 60 percent chance of conception. In some cases, the doctor may not be able to resolve your fertility problem, and you will have to consider a sperm donor or adoption.
