These Male Infertility Myths Need to Be Busted

Finding out you're infertile can be a particularly distressing experience. Men who receive this news may go through an emotional roller coaster, reporting feelings of despair, disappointment and sadness.

Fortunately, modern methods of assisted reproduction can work around many male infertility diagnoses, but getting accurate information about your condition should be the first step in the process.

Here are six male infertility inaccuracies that need to be addressed:

Inaccuracy #1

Only females have that problem.

Wrong. The first male infertility myth that needs to be busted is the belief that infertility is a "female issue." Indeed, women have borne the brunt of fertility planning and responsibility for centuries, and they usually receive the blame when couples fail to conceive a child.

Recent evidence, however, confirms that the blame is often misplaced. Forty percent to 50 percent of infertility cases can be attributed to male factors, including low sperm concentration, poor sperm movement and abnormal sperm shape, according to a 2015 review of literature.

Infertility can be caused by male or female factors, or even a combination.

"When a couple is having difficulty conceiving and undergoes a fertility evaluation, a third of the time, we identify a factor in the male partner that is contributing to the difficulty in conceiving," said Iris Insogna, M.D., an OB-GYN at Columbia University Fertility Center in New York City. "A third of the time, we identify something in the female partner contributing. And the other third of the time, there are factors identified in both the male and female partner that are contributing to the difficulty in conceiving. It's an even split between female and male factors."

Therefore, fertility is anything but a strictly "female issue."

Inaccuracy #2

My lifestyle has nothing to do with it.

It isn't just about biology. Male infertility is significantly impacted by lifestyle factors, especially marijuana and tobacco smoking. In contrast, a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a nutritious diet and good sleep supports healthy sperm and sperm production.

A 2018 systematic literature review revealed these lifestyle factors are harmful to sperm health:

• Cigarette smoking
• Illicit drug use
• Obesity
• Alcohol intake
• Psychological stress
• Caffeine intake

Thankfully, lifestyle changes and behavior modification can reverse these results.

"Semen analysis results can change over time and bounce back after three to six months of lifestyle changes, [for example,] marijuana usage, diet," said Karen Baker, M.D., a urologist and male fertility specialist at Duke Health in North Carolina.

Inaccuracy #3

Semen analysis isn't that important.

The semen analysis is a critically important step in a fertility evaluation. It demonstrates the concentration and count of the sperm, the motility of the sperm, and the shape or morphology of the sperm.

Traditionally, men haven't gone for a semen analysis from the get-go because issues with sperm quality are difficult to spot. There are very few, if any, warning signs, according to Dan Nayot, M.D., a reproductive endocrinologist in Toronto.

"That's why it's important to test early to avoid a potentially long, drawn-out time trying to conceive at home before finding out it's a sperm issue," added Nayot, who is also the medical director of the Fertility Partners, a company that connects patients with reproductive clinics.

Semen collection doesn't have to take place in a lab. It can be done at home, as long as a specialized at-home sperm container is used, Baker explained. This type of container keeps the sperm insulated to give patients a few hours between the production of the specimen at home and delivery to the clinic. Work out those details with your doctor or the clinic.

Inaccuracy #4

If I have poor sperm parameters, I'll never be able to get my partner pregnant.

Semen parameters, while important, are not static values. Even men who have been found to have as low as zero normal morphology have a chance of producing a natural pregnancy. Borderline and low sperm count, too, can be overcome.

A recent study used total progressive motile sperm count (TPMC)—a measurement calculated by multiplying the semen volume by sperm concentration and the percentage of progressively motile sperm—to look at subfertile couples and their chances of conception. A TPMC of 100 million to 150 million was associated with much better chances of conception.

Even so, the study indicated 65 percent of couples below that threshold conceived naturally within five years. Younger couples experienced better results, as did couples where the male partner had a TPMC of 50 million or more.

Still, improving your semen parameters is important and can be accomplished through simple lifestyle changes. You can start by exercising, improving your diet and quitting smoking.

Inaccuracy #5

I'm young and healthy. I can't be infertile.

Another misconception is that men are fertile at any age. Studies have shown that semen quality degrades over time. The figures vary, but one review cited a study that found sperm concentration can decrease by up to 3.3 percent per year, with a 66 percent decrease occurring between the ages of 30 and 50.

Inaccuracy #6

Testosterone definitely improves fertility.

One of the biggest inaccuracies people believe about male infertility is that increased testosterone improves fertility, but it doesn't. Therefore, taking supplements solely to boost testosterone levels is counterproductive.

"Testosterone medication and 'T-booster' supplements do negatively impact fertility and sperm," Baker said.

Instead of testosterone boosters, doctors advise taking vitamins scientifically shown to improve sperm quality. For instance, vitamin C has been linked to improved sperm quality and a reduced risk of birth defects. Insogna added that certain supplements, like coenzyme Q10, could improve some parameters, such as sperm motility.

Nayot recommended men take prenatal vitamins, explaining these are necessary since "modern diets fall short." Vitamins should contain ingredients that improve sperm quality. Options include vitamins C, E, B12 and folate; minerals such as zinc and selenium; and DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid. In this regard, prenatal vitamins can supplement healthy diets.

Men should incorporate these vitamins into their regimen three months before they attempt to conceive, according to Nayot.

Editor's note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our medical experts advise that you consult with your primary healthcare provider before you begin using a supplement. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.