Nearby 1 in 10 couple is suffering they infertility now a days that means they have not been able to conceive a child even though they have frequent, unprotected sexual intercourse for a year or longer. 50% couples having problems with male infertility. Male infertility can be caused by low sperm production, abnormal sperm function or blockages that prevent delivery of the sperm. There are various causes for infertility. 

1.    Hormonal imbalance: Infertility can results from hormones secreted by testicles named testosterone imbalances. Low testosterone and other hormonal problems leads to infertility. 

2.    Problems with sexual intercourse: Trouble in keeping sexual intercourse i.e. erectile dysfunction. Premature ejaculation painful intercourse, anatomical abnormalities such as having urethral opening beneath the penis. Psychological relationship problems that interferes sexual intercourses. 

3.    Weight: Obesity can impair fertility in several ways including directly impacting sperm causing hormonal changes that reduce male fertility. 

4.    Use of steroids: Anabolic steroids taken to stimulate muscle strength and growth can cause testicles to shrink and reduces sperm productions. 

5.    Addictions:  Smoking, alcohol intake having habit of alcohol drinking, tobacco intake, smoking can lower testosterone levels, cause erection dysfunction & decrease sperm production. 

6.    Overheating the testicles: Sitting for long periods, wearing tight clothing or working on a laptop computer for long stretches of time also increases temperature of scrotum and hence reduces sperm production. 

7.    Infections: Sexually transmitted infection (STI) including gonorrhea, Chlamydia etc can cause male infertility. Genital inflamed produced by these micro-organisms contribute to the change in sperm quality, while severe and chronic cases can cause obstruction.

8.    Genital injuries:  Testicular injuries happened during sports in which testes are not properly protected including martial arts, cycling, horse riding. 

9.    Varicoele:  The clinical conditions in which the veins enlarge inside scrotum hamper sperm growth and leads to low sperm. 

10.    Undescended testicles: In some males, having fetal development one or both testicles fail to descent from the abdomen into the sac. Which decreases fertility is more likely in men who have had this conditions.

11. Inguinal hernia, hydrocele repair in childhood may have impact on fertility and hence this males are more prone to have infertility.

                                                                                                                                                           Vocabulary: Dr. Clita Pereira.