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For a woman to become pregnant, a man must produce approximately 20,000,000
sperm for each millimeter of seminal fluid. The sperm are created in the
testicles and are pushed through a series of tubes during the ejaculation
process. This sperm must be healthy and have enough power and stamina to reach
the egg and fertilize it in order for conception to occur. Fertility issues
occur when a man produces damaged or poor quality sperm or there are blockages
in the urethra preventing the sperm from leaving the urethra and entering the
female reproductive system.
Blockages leading to infertility issues can be caused by surgery, injury or a genetic defect. If a male is born with an obstruction of one of the seminal tubes, the sperm will not be able to reach the egg to fertilize it. Injuries to the genital region can also cause a blockage, preventing fertilization of the female¡¯s egg. A surgical procedure called a vasectomy will also prevent the sperm from traveling through the urethra.
In addition to physical blockages and barriers, problems with the actual sperm may prevent a man from impregnating a woman. If a man's sperm is abnormally shaped, it may not be able to penetrate the egg in order to fertilize it. Sometimes sperm is absent from the semen (which can also be caused by a blockage) or if the sperm count is too low, fertilization will also be unlikely. In order to fertilize the egg, a sperm must be able to move quickly through the female reproductive system. If the sperm does not have proper mobility, it will not be able to reach the egg for fertilization. Physical afflictions, such as the inability to retain an erection or hormonal imbalances, can also contribute to a man¡¯s ability to impregnate his female partner.
Like females, men can also be diagnosed with idiopathic infertility. This diagnosis occurs when diagnostic efforts do not return any causes for a male¡¯s infertility.
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