Women’s Health Isn’t The Only Cause Of Infertility
Historically, when society discusses infertility, the immediate assumption is that women are solely responsible when conception doesn’t happen. But just like the misguided belief that a woman controls a baby’s gender, making infertility an exclusively female issue is incorrect. In truth, the real data on infertility in heterosexual couples proves that both partners have an even chance of contributing to infertility. Research shows that men are the sole reason for infertility in a third of all documented cases in the US, with another third attributed solely to the female partner. The remaining third is a combination of issues found in both partners. With that reality defined, understanding how male fertility can influence in vitro fertilization (IVF) success is important.
1. Sperm quantity
One of the most obvious ways that male fertility influences IVF is with sperm quality. Just like a woman might be diagnosed with low ovarian reserve or poor egg quality, the same is true of a man. Physical abnormalities with the reproductive system and even specific issues with the sperm can both impact IVF success. For example, blockages in the urethra, an enlarged prostate, or even problems with the testicles may mean that semen samples contain fewer sperm. While having less sperm can be controlled with IVF’s in-lab fertilization, the condition is a direct cause of why natural conception isn’t happening.
2. DNA quality
For men, sperm quality and quantity are the two biggest issues that can create fertility problems. Beyond not having enough sperm, poor-quality specimens are the next biggest issue that can have far-reaching implications. Having plenty of sperm with DNA abnormalities is just as harmful as having a low sperm count. In particular, an egg fertilized by a sperm with damaged DNA can translate to developing low-quality embryos that fail to implant during the embryo transfer stage. Additionally, even if conception and implantation occur, poor-quality sperm may cause developmental abnormalities during gestation, which might make the pregnancy unviable.
3. Genetic conditions
Similarly, men may have inherited conditions that might be passed down through the sperm. Women aren’t the only people at risk of a family history or gene carrier interfering with fertility. While DNA quality more specifically refers to the sperm’s integrity, genetic conditions are more about health-related disorders down to a child. While some abnormalities may prevent implantation, other abnormalities may result in live births with a child facing disabilities or developmental delays that can reduce quality of life. One way to control for genetic conditions is by undergoing carrier screening.
Navigating male fertility for IVF
Traditionally, when a couple decides to explore IVF options, both partners are tested to determine what underlying causes exist. Sometimes, the results point to identifiable answers, such as poor sperm quality or quantity or even a genetic condition that can cause significant complications. In most cases, if male factor infertility is detected, experts will recommend that the couple use donor sperm. Doing so can overcome many of the common issues that can delay conception or lead to complications like miscarriages or developmental abnormalities in the embryo or child.
