Male-factor infertility

About male-factor infertility

Male-factor infertility refers to sperm-related reasons for difficulty conceiving. It is common — the WHO notes about 1 in 6 people of reproductive age experience infertility, and ASRM estimates a male factor is the sole cause in around a fifth of affected couples and a contributing factor in a further third, so it is involved in roughly half of cases. It often has no outward signs, so it is usually identified through testing rather than symptoms.

How it is assessed

The main test is a semen analysis, which looks at the number, movement, and shape of sperm, among other measures. Results are compared with WHO reference values — but these are lower reference limits derived from men whose partners conceived naturally, not a pass/fail line, so a result below a limit is not an automatic diagnosis. Because sperm quality naturally varies, an abnormal result is usually repeated, often after about three months, before conclusions are drawn. A clinician interprets results alongside your history.

Options

Depending on the findings, options may include lifestyle changes to support semen quality, treating an underlying cause, and assisted conception such as IUI or ICSI as part of IVF. Care is individualised, and a specialist can explain what fits your situation.