Sexual Dysfunction & Male Infertility: What You Need To Know

Various factors affect fertility such as age, history of sexual dysfunction, or prostate or testicle abnormalities.

Male sexual dysfunction is more common than you think, and men of all ages experience it. One of the significant fears of having a sexual dysfunction is infertility. However, people often misunderstand the facts around it, so let’s start with the basics.

What is male infertility?

Male infertility is a medical condition that affects the male reproductive system making it harder (at times impossible) for him to have children.

What is Sexual Dysfunction?

Sexual Dysfunction is an umbrella term for a variety of sexual disorders such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, that can affect male fertility.

What are the symptoms of male infertility?

• Ejaculatory problems
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Low libido
• Low sperm count (<15 million/ml of semen or total sperm count < 39 million/ejaculate)
• Gynecomastia (breast enlargement in Men)
• Persistent/chronic respiratory tract infections
• Hormonal imbalance

What are the causes of male infertility? Can sexual dysfunction cause male infertility? Is it the other way around?

Simply speaking sexual dysfunction can be a symptom of male infertility. There are health conditions, some related to sexual health, that can lead to male infertility.

• Sperm abnormalities: Low sperm production and/or disrupted sperm function
• Medical conditions: Varicocele, infections such as epididymitis and testicles, STDs such as gonorrhea, tumors, undescended testicles, celiac disease, etc
• Medications: Such as chronic steroid use, chemotherapy, testosterone therapy, etc
• Environmental deterrents: Metal exposure, radiation, increased heat, chemicals exposure
• Injuries and past surgeries
• Unhealthy lifestyle: Drug (cannabis, cocaine), alcohol, and nicotine consumption, increased BMI

Pregnancy requires healthy and viable sperm — and there are many factors that can affect the fertility process. The male reproductive system needs to be ideal in its functioning to be able to produce sperm that could lead to conception.

The testicles, at least one, should be in proper working condition along with the body producing the right amount of testosterone to aid in the maintenance of sperm health and production.

Sperm production occurs in the testicles, and they are ejaculated during a male orgasm mixed with semen. There has to be an ideal amount of sperm to increase the odds of sperm-egg fertilization. Sperm functionality is another factor. If sperm experience abnormal motility, their odds of reaching and fertilizing with the egg are greatly reduced.

What are the complications of male infertility?

• Interpersonal problems with partners
• Unable to father biological children
• Stress and debt due to reproductive procedures
• Increased risk for cancers such as testicular, colon, and prostate cancer

When to see a doctor?

If you and your partner have been trying to conceive for a while, and have not been successful, you should consult with your doctor. There are various factors that can affect your fertility such as age, history of sexual dysfunction, prostate or testicle abnormalities, or surgery in the groin area (including the testicles, penis, and scrotum). Speaking to a professional will help determine the cause of unsuccessful attempts to conceive.

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