IVF & Fertility
Male infertility: the half of the problem that gets skipped
IVF & Fertility Centre · 5 min read · Updated 12 July 2026
In roughly half of couples who cannot conceive, a male factor is involved either wholly or partly. Yet the man is frequently tested months after the woman has already been through repeated scans and hormone panels.
The test to start with
A semen analysis after two to five days of abstinence measures count, motility and shape. It costs little and can be done the same week. One abnormal report is not conclusive — it is usually repeated after a few weeks, because illness, fever and stress all affect the result.
Common causes
Some causes are correctable, some are not, and identifying which is the point of the evaluation.
- Varicocele — dilated veins around the testis
- Previous infection or injury
- Hormonal problems affecting sperm production
- Blockage of the passage carrying sperm
- Smoking, alcohol, heat exposure and obesity
- Genetic causes, in a minority of cases
Treatment when sperm is absent
When no sperm appears in the semen, it may still be present in the testis or epididymis. PESA draws sperm with a fine needle where the passage is blocked; TESE retrieves it from testicular tissue where production is limited. Sperm obtained either way is used with ICSI, and surplus tissue can be frozen.
What helps regardless
Stopping smoking and alcohol, losing excess weight, avoiding prolonged heat exposure and treating any infection all improve parameters over a three-month cycle — the time it takes for a new batch of sperm to be produced.
This article is general health information and does not replace a consultation. For advice on your own condition, book an appointment or call +91 80067 77996. In an emergency, call +91 80067 77996.
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