Understanding Male Fertility: Causes of Infertility & How to Improve Sperm Health

Let’s face it, male fertility doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves. For years, the spotlight has been fixed squarely on women when it comes to fertility struggles. But here’s the thing: men matter. A lot. Roughly one out of every three infertility cases is tied directly to the male side of the equation, and the major player in that game is sperm health. So, if conception feels elusive, it might be time to zoom in on the guys.

In this deep dive, we’ll untangle the web of male infertility, what causes it, what wrecks sperm health, and what can be done (naturally) to improve the odds. 

Common Causes of Male Infertility

You can't talk male infertility without talking about sperm health. Causes of male infertility are:

Low Sperm Count

Let’s start with the numbers. Ideally, a single ejaculation should have at least 15 million sperm per milliliter. Anything below that, and you're venturing into the territory of oligospermia, which is a low sperm count. When sperm is low, the chances of one sperm making it to the egg drop significantly.

Sluggish Sperm (Poor Motility)

To get to the egg, sperm must travel swiftly through the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes. If less than 40% of your sperm can swim with purpose, the odds of reaching the finish line are seriously compromised.

Aging

Yes, men have biological clocks, too. While women often feel the fertility crunch earlier, men aren’t immune. Around age 50, both the quantity and quality of sperm start to wane, and genetic abnormalities in sperm rise, increasing the risk of complications in conception and pregnancy.

Azoospermia

Azoospermia is the absence of sperm in semen. There are two types of azoospermia- obstructive (there’s a physical blockage somewhere in the pipeline) and non-obstructive (the testicles simply aren't producing enough, if any, sperm). To manage this condition, doctors use surgical sperm retrieval methods like PESA or TESA, where they extract sperm directly from the testicle or nearby tubes.

DNA Fragmentation

Sperm carry half the genetic code needed to make a human. When the DNA is fragmented, meaning bits of it are damaged or broken, that critical information doesn’t make it to the egg intact. This is more common than you think, and a test at a fertility clinic can spot this damage.

Varicoceles

Varicoceles are tiny swollen veins in your scrotum. These swollen veins block normal blood drainage, heating the testicles just enough to mess with sperm production. It's one of the most common reversible causes of male infertility.

Misshapen Sperm

Normal sperm have an oval head and a streamlined tail. While having a few misshapen ones is normal, when too many are abnormally shaped, it may be a sign of underlying subfertility.

Lifestyle Factors That Impact Sperm Health

Sometimes, the villain isn't a hidden disease but our everyday habits.

Diet

We are what we eat, and your sperm definitely take notes. Diets high in processed food, trans fats, and sugar can tank sperm health. On the flip side, whole foods rich in zinc, folate, selenium, and omega-3s act like rocket fuel for sperm. Sperm health is clearly affected by nutrition.

Smoking

Smoking isn’t just a lung issue. Smoking damages blood vessels, slashes sperm count, and increases the number of abnormal swimmers. Not only that, but secondhand smoke can also affect your partner’s fertility and even hurt your future baby’s health. Additionally, it’s not just smoking that harms fertility, but nicotine itself (meaning vapes and pouches!) is inherently damaging to sperm production.

Alcohol

Chronic alcohol use interferes with testosterone, reduces semen volume, and impairs sperm shape and motility. Heavy drinkers often see a triple-threat decline across all sperm parameters.

Stress

That constant low hum of anxiety? It’s doing more damage than you realize. Stress cranks up cortisol levels, which inversely depresses testosterone, the hormone critical for sperm production. Plus, oxidative stress can literally harm the DNA integrity of sperm. 

Recreational Drugs

Cocaine, cannabis, and anabolic steroids all hijack your hormonal balance, reduce sperm count, and, in some cases, completely shut down production. Cannabis, in particular, is a repeat offender in studies that show decreased motility and weirdly shaped sperm.

Heat Exposure

Your testicles hang outside your body for a reason. They need to stay cooler than your core. Frequent sauna visits, hot tubs, tight underwear, or keeping a laptop on your lap for hours can all warm things up too much, impairing sperm development.

How to Improve Sperm Quality Naturally

While not every fertility problem is fixable at home, there’s plenty you can do to boost your odds.

Eat Well

Colorful fruits, leafy greens, fatty fish, whole grains, and nuts are like a fertility power pack. Antioxidants protect sperm from cellular damage, and minerals like zinc and selenium are essential for sperm formation and function.

Move Your Body

Obesity has been tied to low sperm count and lower libido. Regular exercise can help regulate hormones and reduce oxidative stress and keep your weight in check.

Avoid Excessive Drinking and Smoking

Several studies have shown that heavy alcohol consumption (more than 3 or 4 drinks in a day for women and men respectively) can negatively impact male reproduction. Men who smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day have significantly lower semen volume and motility. And yes, even occasional use counts.

Guard Against STIs

Sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia are stealthy sperm saboteurs. They can cause inflammation, blockages, and lasting reproductive damage. Use protection and get tested regularly.

Manage Stress

Meditation, mindfulness, and therapy help bring your stress down a notch. Chronic stress doesn’t just make you irritable; it messes with your libido, your hormone balance, and your overall reproductive health.

When to See a Fertility Specialist

Sometimes, no matter how healthy your lifestyle, the sperm just won’t cooperate. That’s when expert eyes are needed.

• You’ve been trying for a year with no luck. Twelve months of regular, unprotected sex with no pregnancy is a sign to see a specialist, even if everything else feels normal. It’s worth checking out what’s going on behind the scenes.
• If you're consistently struggling to get or maintain an erection. This could be a symptom of something deeper, like hormonal imbalances or cardiovascular problems.
• If you are struggling to ejaculate. Whether it’s no ejaculation, painful ejaculation, or even changes in the look and feel of your semen, these red flags warrant a closer look.
• There’s a pain, swelling, or lump. A swollen testicle isn’t something to ignore. Infections, torsion, or even testicular cancer could be in play. Even a painless lump deserves immediate medical attention.
• Your semen looks different. Thicker, thinner, or discolored, semen could be your body might be trying to tell you something important.

Available Male Fertility Treatments at Reproductive Partners Medical Group

At Reproductive Partners Medical Group, male reproductive health is taken seriously, and treated thoroughly. Whether you need diagnostics or a treatment plan, we have the tools, tech, and talent to help you on your journey.

You will find:

• Genetic Testing: Looking at chromosomal patterns for deeper insight
• Semen Analysis: The go-to first step for measuring sperm count, shape, and movement
• Testicular Mapping: A closer look when sperm are missing in action
• Varicocele Repair: Microsurgery to address one of the most common anatomic causes of infertility
• IUI & IVF: Assisted reproductive technologies to help bypass certain issues
• Donor Services: When using donor sperm becomes the next best step
• Fertility Preservation: Banking sperm before medical treatments
• Surrogacy: When carrying a child isn’t possible with a partner

FAQs

Why should I get a male fertility test?

You should get a male fertility test because nearly half of all infertility cases stem from male factors. Testing gives you answers and direction.

What does a semen analysis measure?

A semen analysis assesses sperm count, movement (motility), shape (morphology), and other key metrics that reflect sperm health.

How do I prepare for a semen analysis?

To prepare for a semen analysis, refrain from ejaculation for 2–5 days before the test, cut back on alcohol and caffeine, and avoid hot tubs or other high-heat environments.

Is male fertility testing painful?

No, male fertility testing isn’t painful. It’s a non-invasive process where you simply provide a semen sample.

What happens if my test results show infertility?

If your test results show infertility, your doctor will walk you through options, which may include lifestyle changes, medications, or assisted reproductive treatments like IVF.