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The causes of infertility are generally divided into three main categories: male factors (approximately 30-35%), female factors (approximately 30-35%), and factors attributable to both male and female (approximately 30-35%). According to this distribution, male factors play a role, either alone or as an accompanying factor, in approximately 50-60% of infertility cases.
The male reproductive system originates from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain and terminates in the testes. The causes of infertility are primarily examined under three main headings based on these anatomical locations:
Pre-testicular Causes: These causes generally affect the hypothalamus and pituitary, leading to hormonal disorders. Infiltrative diseases of the pituitary, tumors, blood flow disorders, functional disorders developing after radiotherapy or surgery, and certain genetic diseases fall into this category. These conditions almost always manifest as hormonal imbalances.
Testicular Causes: Any condition that impairs sperm production (spermatogenesis) in the testes or affects testicular function is included in this group. Examples include testicular infections (orchitis), trauma, surgical interventions, undescended testes (cryptorchidism), exposure to toxic substances such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, heavy metals (lead, mercury), or pesticides, exposure to high temperatures, genetic disorders (e.g., Klinefelter syndrome), and insufficient testosterone production (primary hypogonadism).
Post-testicular Causes: This category covers conditions that prevent the sperm produced in the testes from being expelled from the male genital system. These include blockages of sperm transport ducts (congenital absence, damage/blockage due to infection or surgery), issues affecting sperm motility, ejaculation disorders, erectile dysfunction, inability to engage in sexual intercourse due to penile deformities, and causes such as retrograde ejaculation due to prostate surgery or medication use.
What are the Causes of Infertility in Men?
The male reproductive system originates from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain and terminates in the testes. The causes of infertility are primarily examined under three main headings based on these anatomical locations:
Pre-testicular Causes: These causes generally affect the hypothalamus and pituitary, leading to hormonal disorders. Infiltrative diseases of the pituitary, tumors, blood flow disorders, functional disorders developing after radiotherapy or surgery, and certain genetic diseases fall into this category. These conditions almost always manifest as hormonal imbalances.
Testicular Causes: Any condition that impairs sperm production (spermatogenesis) in the testes or affects testicular function is included in this group. Examples include testicular infections (orchitis), trauma, surgical interventions, undescended testes (cryptorchidism), exposure to toxic substances such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, heavy metals (lead, mercury), or pesticides, exposure to high temperatures, genetic disorders (e.g., Klinefelter syndrome), and insufficient testosterone production (primary hypogonadism).
Post-testicular Causes: This category covers conditions that prevent the sperm produced in the testes from being expelled from the male genital system. These include blockages of sperm transport ducts (congenital absence, damage/blockage due to infection or surgery), issues affecting sperm motility, ejaculation disorders, erectile dysfunction, inability to engage in sexual intercourse due to penile deformities, and causes such as retrograde ejaculation due to prostate surgery or medication use.