Male Infertility and IVF: What Every Man Should Know

Male infertility is far more common than most people realise. It contributes to approximately 40–50% of all infertility cases, yet it is often overlooked, under-discussed, and associated with unnecessary shame. At IVF CAFE Clinic, we want to change that. Understanding male infertility — its causes, diagnosis, and treatment — is essential for any couple navigating the path to parenthood.

What Causes Male Infertility?

Low Sperm Count (Oligospermia)

A count below 15 million sperm per millilitre significantly reduces the probability of natural fertilization. Causes include hormonal imbalances, heat exposure, infections, and lifestyle factors.

Poor Sperm Motility (Asthenospermia)

Sperm must swim efficiently to reach and penetrate an egg. When fewer than 32% of sperm move progressively, fertilization becomes difficult without medical assistance.

Abnormal Morphology (Teratospermia)

Sperm with abnormal head, midpiece, or tail structures cannot effectively penetrate an egg's outer layer. ICSI bypasses this barrier by injecting sperm directly into the egg.

Azoospermia (No Sperm in Semen)

Complete absence of sperm in ejaculate affects approximately 1% of men. It may be obstructive (blockage preventing sperm release) or non-obstructive (impaired production). Both forms can be treated with surgical sperm retrieval.

High Sperm DNA Fragmentation

Damaged DNA within sperm can lead to fertilization failure, poor embryo development, recurrent miscarriage, and failed IVF cycles — even when standard semen parameters appear normal.

Varicocele

Enlarged veins in the scrotum raise testicular temperature, impairing sperm production. Surgical correction (varicocelectomy) can significantly improve sperm parameters in suitable cases.

How Is Male Infertility Diagnosed?

• Semen analysis — measures count, motility, morphology, and volume
• Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) — assesses DNA integrity
• Hormonal profile — FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin
• Scrotal ultrasound — detects varicocele or structural abnormalities
• Genetic testing — karyotype, Y-chromosome microdeletion analysis

Treatment Options for Male Infertility

ICSI

For most cases of male factor infertility, ICSI is the primary treatment. A single morphologically normal sperm — selected under high magnification — is injected directly into each mature egg, eliminating the need for the sperm to swim or penetrate the egg independently.

TESA / TESE (Surgical Sperm Retrieval)

For men with azoospermia, sperm can often be retrieved directly from the testes through TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration) or TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction). Retrieved sperm is used immediately in ICSI or frozen for future cycles.

Advanced Sperm Selection

At IVF CAFE Clinic, we offer IMSI (Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection), PICSI, and microfluidic sperm sorting for cases of high DNA fragmentation — techniques that select the healthiest sperm at a molecular level.

Lifestyle Factors That Affect Sperm Quality

• Avoid smoking, alcohol, and recreational drugs
• Maintain a healthy weight — obesity reduces testosterone and sperm production
• Avoid prolonged heat exposure (hot tubs, saunas, laptops on lap)
• Eat antioxidant-rich foods (berries, nuts, leafy greens)
• Manage stress through exercise and adequate sleep
• Consider CoQ10, zinc, selenium, and vitamin D supplements (after consulting your doctor)

Male infertility is treatable in the vast majority of cases. If you or your partner have concerns about sperm health, our andrology team at IVF CAFE Clinic is here to help with expert diagnosis and personalised treatment.