myth busting male factor infertility
Male factor infertility is more common than most people realise – and it’s time to talk about it. We’ll take you through the facts, and some tips to improve your fertility.
male infertility is responsible for around 30% of fertility challenges faced by couples in australia.
what is infertility?
Infertility is usually defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex. Though many couples choose to seek help earlier, especially if there are known risk factors or the female partner is older.
do most people fall pregnant within a year?
Yes. About half of all couples will conceive within he first 2-3 months of trying, and around 85% will conceive within a year. That leaves roughly around 1 in 6 couples who may face difficulties getting pregnant.
what are some of the possible causes of male infertility?
In most cases of male infertility, the issues comes down to not having enough motile (swimming) sperm that can fertilise an egg. Sperm production can be affected by past surgeries, trauma, infection, cancer treatments, or undescended testicles during childhood (medically knowns as crytorchisism).
In a small number of cases, genetic conditions like chromosome breaks or missing parts of the Y chromosome may be responsible – though many cases remain unexplained. Blockages in the sperm tubes are another common cause, often due to congenital issues, infections, or previous surgeries like vasectomy.
Less commonly, hormone imbalances involving the pituitary hormone can play a role. Some medications can also interfere with sperm quality and production.
what lifestyle changes are recommended to help male infertility?
- Quit smoking – Smoking is linked to lower sperm count, poor motility and abnormal shape. Giving up can help improve fertility. If you need assistance in quitting, call Quitline on 137848.
- Cut out recreational drugs and reduce alcohol – Both can lower semen quality and volume, and interfere with hormone levels.
- Eat well – A healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight can help improve sperm concentration, count and motility.
- Exercise mindfully – Overtraining and intense physically activity can cause testicular heat stress, which negatively affects fertility.
- Reduce stress – Chronic stress impacts testosterone levels and can suppress sperm production.
- Keep phones out of your pockets – carrying phones close to the testicles may expose them to low-level electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), which could reduce semen quality.
when speaking about infertility, the focus is often on female factors – but male factors alone account for a third of all cases.
after a women’s age, male factor infertility is the second most common reason a couple may struggle to conceive.
it is widely known that female fertility declines from the early 30s – but is there a similar biological clock for people with sperm?
Yes, but it works differently. While men can father children later in life, fertility does decline with age, just more gradually that in women.
Older men may still conceive, but the odds drop. On average, men over 50 take five times longer to get their partner pregnant compared to men under 25.
What’s more, research shows sperm quality declines with age, and this could be linked to increased risks of conditions like autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia in children of older fathers.
can someone tell if they’re infertile?
Often, infertility comes as a complete surprise – many people feel perfectly healthy otherwise. Unless someone has previously conceived a child, fertility can usually only be assessed through a semen analysis that checks for motile sperm.
Being in good physical shape doesn’t always reflect what’s happening at a reproductive level, so if there are any concerns, it’s worth getting checked.
how is fertility tested in people with sperm?
A semen analysis performed by an experienced laboratory is the best way to assess fertility.
what does a semen analysis test for?
A semen analysis is the key tool for understanding sperm health. With a referral, many fertility clinics offer this test, which can give detailed insights into:
- Vitality – how healthy the sperm are and how well they’re likely to survive
- Motility – how well sperm can swim
- Morphology – the shape and structure of the sperm
- Count – how many sperm are present in the sample
how does age affect sperm and fertility?
Ageing brings changes to reproductive health, which may include:
- Reduced frequency of sex
- Erectile dysfunction and reduced ejaculatory volume
- Lower testosterone levels and libido, especially if there are chronic health conditions
- A decline in sperm motility
- Increased sperm damage
- Higher chances of sperm carrying genetic changes
can exposure to heat impact fertility?
Yes – testicles are very temperature-sensitive. The testes sit inside the scrotum, which acts like a natural cooling system. Keeping them around 2 degrees cooler than core body temperature, which is essential for healthy sperm production.
Regular exposure to high heat from saunas, hot baths, spas, or heat-heavy work environments (like smelting) can reduce fertility. Even using a laptop on your lap for long periods can raise the temperature, overwhelming the natural cooling process and affect sperm production. The good news is that this is often reversible.
if a couple has been trying to conceive for a while without success, what should they do?
Start by speaking with a GP, who can organise some simple and affordable tests. From there, a fertility specialist can guide you through next steps – and remember, fertility support can start small.
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