Medically reviewed by Dr. Shweta Agarwal, MBBS, DGO. Last updated: June 2026.
Information on this page is educational and does not replace a medical consultation. Outcomes depend on individual clinical factors.
How common is male infertility?
A male factor is involved in approximately half of all couples who struggle to conceive — either on its own or alongside a female factor. Infertility is often assumed to be a "female problem," but the evidence does not support that assumption.
This is precisely why both partners are tested from the start (see fertility diagnostics). Identifying a male factor early avoids months of investigating only one partner and leads directly to the right plan.
What causes male infertility?
Male infertility usually comes down to a problem with the number, movement, or shape of sperm, or with how sperm reach the ejaculate. The common causes are:
- Low sperm count (oligospermia): Fewer sperm than normal, reducing the chance of fertilisation.
- Poor motility (asthenospermia): Sperm that do not move well enough to reach and fertilise an egg.
- Abnormal shape (teratospermia): A high proportion of sperm with structural abnormalities.
- Varicocele: Enlarged veins in the scrotum that can overheat the testes and impair sperm quality — a common and often treatable cause.
- Azoospermia (no sperm in the ejaculate): Either an obstruction blocking sperm, or reduced production. Sperm can often still be retrieved surgically. (See azoospermia.)
- Hormonal causes: Imbalances in testosterone, FSH or LH affecting sperm production.
- Obstruction: A blockage anywhere in the reproductive tract, including after vasectomy or infection.
- Lifestyle and environmental factors: Smoking, excess alcohol, obesity, heat exposure, certain medications, and chronic stress.
How is male infertility diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with one simple, non-invasive test and adds further tests only if needed.
Semen analysis — the starting point
The semen analysis is the first and most important test. It measures sperm count (concentration), motility (movement), and morphology (shape), along with volume and other parameters, assessed against WHO reference values. A sample is given after 2–5 days of abstinence, in private. If a result is abnormal, the test is usually repeated for confirmation before drawing conclusions.
Hormonal evaluation
Blood tests for testosterone, FSH and LH identify hormonal causes of reduced sperm production.
Scrotal ultrasound & Doppler
An ultrasound of the scrotum can detect a varicocele or other structural causes that affect sperm quality.
Genetic testing (selected cases)
In severe cases — such as very low counts or azoospermia — genetic tests may be advised to identify an underlying cause and guide treatment.
All of this is part of a complete couple fertility workup, so the male and female evaluations move together.
What are the treatment options for male infertility?
Treatment depends entirely on the cause and severity. The path is decided together with the couple after the workup.
| Situation | Typical approach |
|---|---|
| Mild abnormality; lifestyle-related | Lifestyle changes + medical management; sometimes timed intercourse |
| Mild–moderate male factor, female tubes healthy | IUI — washed, concentrated sperm placed into the uterus |
| Moderate–severe male factor | IVF with ICSI — a single sperm injected into each egg |
| Azoospermia (no sperm in ejaculate) | Surgical sperm retrieval (TESA/PESA/TESE) + ICSI |
| Varicocele affecting sperm quality | Varicocele repair, where clinically indicated |
- Lifestyle & medical management: For many men, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol, weight management and treating any infection or hormonal issue can meaningfully improve sperm parameters.
- IUI: Suitable for mild male factor when the female partner's tubes are open.
- IVF with ICSI: For moderate-to-severe male factor, ICSI injects one healthy sperm directly into each egg, bypassing the barriers a weaker sperm cannot cross. Even a very small number of viable sperm can be enough.
- Surgical sperm retrieval: For azoospermia, sperm can often be retrieved directly from the testes or epididymis and used with ICSI.
Treatment cost varies by the path chosen. See IVF cost & 0% EMI for ranges and financing.
Can lifestyle changes improve sperm quality?
Yes — lifestyle changes can meaningfully improve sperm health, but they take time to show. Sperm production (spermatogenesis) runs on a cycle of about 72–90 days, so any change — stopping smoking, cutting alcohol, losing weight, improving diet, reducing heat exposure — typically takes around 3 months to register in a follow-up semen analysis.
Practical, evidence-aligned steps include:
- Stopping smoking and limiting alcohol.
- Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.
- Regular exercise and stress management.
- A diet rich in antioxidants (vitamins C and E, zinc, selenium).
- Avoiding excess heat to the testes (saunas, prolonged laptop-on-lap, tight heat).
Because of the ~3-month cycle, a follow-up test is usually scheduled about 3 months after starting changes.
Is the consultation private, and what does it cost?
Your consultation, test results and records are kept confidential. The semen analysis is provided in a private setting, and you can ask questions or share reports discreetly over WhatsApp before visiting. Male evaluation is discussed sensitively, as part of the couple's care, never in isolation.
Cost depends on which tests and treatments are clinically indicated — a semen analysis is a modest, standalone test, while treatments such as IUI, IVF/ICSI, or surgical sperm retrieval are priced separately. You receive a transparent estimate before anything is done, and 0% EMI (3–24 months) is available for treatment. See IVF cost & 0% EMI.
When should a man get tested?
A semen analysis is recommended if:
- You and your partner have been trying to conceive for 12 months without success (or 6 months if the female partner is 35 or older).
- You have a history of undescended testes, testicular injury, infection (such as mumps), or previous surgery in the groin or scrotum.
- You have noticed scrotal swelling, lumps, or discomfort.
- You have a known hormonal condition or take medication that can affect fertility.
Testing early is simple and low-risk — and because sperm takes about three months to renew, starting sooner gives any treatment more time to work.