Choice of pregnant programs that can be done for infertile men

Not only women, fertility problems in men can also be the reason why some couples have not been blessed with children. In men, this is because the quantity and quality of sperm are not optimal so that they cannot fertilize the ovum properly.

If you are a man who is experiencing fertility problems, do not rush into anxiety and despair just yet. There is still a chance for you and your partner to have a baby by undergoing a pregnancy program. So, what are the pregnant programs that infertile men can do? Check out the following explanation.

Recognize first the signs of an infertile man

The main sign that a man is infertile is when he is unable to impregnate and produce children.

However, apart from that there are some physical symptoms in men who are suspected of pointing to signs of infertility, including:

Erectile dysfunction: The condition of the penis is not able to get an erection optimally when having sex
Varicocele or varicose veins in the testicles sac: Swelling of the veins in the scrotum, aka the testicles that line the testes. This can cause sperm quality to be suboptimal.
Ejaculate volume: If the volume is very low, then the sperm quality is probably not good

What are the causes of male infertility?

Generally, this condition occurs due to interference with sperm, both in terms of concentration or sperm count, shape, and movement. Abnormalities in sperm can only be identified through sperm analysis in a WHO standard laboratory.

Disorders of the sperm can be caused by several factors such as:

Infectious disease
Genetic problems
Being exposed to toxins or pollution from the environment
Deformities of the male reproductive organs

Health or lifestyle problems can also affect male fertility. For example, men who are obese tend to have a harder time having children.

The reason is, the quality of sperm in obese men tends to decrease so that they cannot fertilize the ovum optimally. Let alone fertilizing the ovum, obese men sometimes have difficulty penetrating because it is blocked by a layer of body fat.

Meanwhile, bad living habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol can be one of the causes of male infertility. Again, the quality and quantity of sperm in men who are active smokers are worse than those who do not smoke.

In fact, smoking can reduce erectile abilities in men and experience erectile dysfunction. But remember, smoking is not the only cause of men becoming infertile, but it aggravates sperm disorders.

Then, what pregnancy programs can infertile men do?

When it is declared infertile, do not rush to give up just yet. You still have the opportunity to have children by doing a number of pregnancy programs. This pregnancy program is carried out to help improve the quantity and quality of sperm so that they can fertilize the ovum optimally.

Before deciding on a pregnancy program, you must first know the causes of infertility that are being experienced. The reason is, every cause of fertility problems has different solutions and treatments

For more details, let's peel one by one.

1. Fertility therapy

There are several fertility therapies that can be done, but this depends on the condition of each man's sperm.

Fertilizer drugs

If a man has an abnormal sperm count, shape, and movement, this will usually be treated with supplements.

Unfortunately, this method takes 3 to 9 months to increase the quantity and quality of sperm. Meanwhile, not all married couples can wait that long.

What's more, this method is often done without checking the condition of the sperm first. In fact, this may not be necessary.

For example, a man who experiences azoospermia or no sperm (empty sperm), of course, will not be able to immediately have sperm just by giving fertility supplements or vitamins. The condition of empty sperm is usually caused by blockage in the reproductive organs that cannot be treated with fertility drugs.

Operation

Apart from fertility drugs, fertility therapy can also be done by surgery. This can be done to treat cases of varicocele or varicose veins in the testicles.

But sometimes, varicocele surgery cannot make the quality and quantity of sperm much better. This is because the process of damage that occurs to sperm-producing cells and tissues has been going on for years.

This means, the operation carried out cannot immediately fix fertility problems. Patients who undergo varicocele surgery usually take the next 6 to 9 months to see the changes.

2. Artificial insemination

Artificial insemination is a way that can be done to increase the chances of pregnancy by placing sperm directly in the uterine cavity. This method can be applied to men whose sperm does not move properly, even though the amount is sufficient.

Before being inserted into the uterus, the sperm will undergo a capacitation process to prepare the sperm so that it can fertilize the egg properly.

Artificial insemination is carried out when the woman enters the fertile period, which is when the ovaries produce eggs that are ready to be fertilized. That way, the sperm doesn't need to swim or move too far to reach the egg.

In addition, this action cannot be done if the number of sperm cells is very low. Therefore, not all abnormalities in sperm are suitable for artificial insemination. The success rate for artificial insemination is only 10 to 15 percent, which tends to be less than the success rate for IVF.

3. IVF

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an option for couples to get pregnant.

Unlike artificial insemination, IVF is done by combining an egg and sperm outside the body. So, when the egg has been successfully fertilized, then the results of the fertilization are transferred to the woman's uterus so that it can grow into a fetus.

If you have problems with a very low sperm count despite good movement, then IVF is the right choice. This program can also be done for men who have azoospermia, aka no sperm (empty sperm).

The success rate of IVF depends on the age of the expectant mother. If this program is carried out on prospective mothers who are under 30 years of age, the success rate is around 60 percent.

Meanwhile, if it is done to prospective mothers who are over 40 years old, the chances tend to decrease, only around 45 percent. That is why many couples prefer IVF because the opportunity is large enough and does not take a long time.