Male Infertility Symptoms: Commons Signs of Male Fertility Challenges
If you’ve been actively trying to get pregnant for over a year or more with no luck, there could be an infertility issue at play. And research shows that male fertility factors are present in up to half of infertility cases. With infertility in men, there aren’t always obvious symptoms. Many men actually don’t know that they have an underlying fertility challenge until they struggle to conceive.
So if you’re trying to determine if you have any male infertility symptoms, keep reading. You’ll learn what symptoms to look for and understand the overall causes of infertility in men.
Key takeaways
- There are a number of causes and underlying conditions related to male infertility. Some include genetic conditions, hormonal imbalances, poor sperm health, and lifestyle factors.
- For some men, there are no obvious male infertility symptoms.
- Other men may experience warning signs like:
- Ejaculation issues
- Changes in sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Any pain, swelling, or a lump in the testicle
- Other noticeable changes in the testicles
- Symptoms alone can’t give you the full picture of male fertility. (i.e. regular sexual function or normal-looking semen don’t always mean healthy sperm.)
- Couples who can’t get pregnant after a year of unprotected intercourse may have a fertility issue on one or both ends.
- If you’re worried about male infertility symptoms or your ability to conceive, see a doctor. They can order a semen analysis and do a physical examination and further testing to diagnose any fertility challenges.
What are the causes of male infertility?
Before we look at the most common signs of infertility in men, here’s a quick overview of the most common male infertility causes:
Male reproductive tract blockages
Men can have blockages in the tubes that sperm travel through. These blockages are most often a result of injuries or infections. And they can prevent ejaculation altogether, or they can prevent sperm from traveling normally.
Hormonal problems
Sperm production is regulated through hormones that are produced within the brain and testes. So any hormonal disorders (like low testosterone or a disorder of the testes or pituitary gland) can impact sperm production.
Issues with sperm production
There are quite a few other conditions and circumstances that can disrupt sperm production (and thus male fertility). These include:
- Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)
- Undescended testicles
- Testicular infections
- Treatments like chemotherapy
Know more: Semen Health: How to Produce More Sperm
Poor sperm health
Healthy sperm that's a good fit for successful fertilization has to meet certain standards. The following sperm issues can make conceiving more difficult:
- Low sperm count
- Abnormal sperm movement (sperm motility)
- Abnormal sperm shape (sperm morphology)
Using certain medications like anabolic steroids can also interfere with sperm production.
Genetic conditions
Certain genetic disorders like Klinefelter syndrome can disrupt how sperm is produced and how the testes function.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other infections
Infections can create blockages or damage structures within the male reproductive tract. That can then impact sperm production and sperm transport (if left untreated).
Here are some notorious STIs that can impact male reproductive health:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Orchitis
Lifestyle and environmental factors
Lifestyle and environmental factors can impact male fertility more than people realize. Here are some of the common ones that harm a male's reproductive health:
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Obesity
- Frequent exposure to environmental toxins
Know more: 9 Sperm Killers To Avoid When You’re Trying to Conceive
Now that you have an idea of some of the causes, keep reading to learn more about symptoms associated with infertility in males.
What are the signs and symptoms of infertility in males?
Some infertile men might not have any noticeable signs of infertility. But others could notice certain symptoms related to their sexual, hormonal, or physical health. Here are some common male infertility symptoms you should know about:
Male infertility symptom 1: Difficulty conceiving
A couple is said to have difficulty conceiving if pregnancy doesn’t happen within 12 months of regular sex around ovulation time. This is often the most obvious sign of potential male infertility.
Otherwise healthy men may not be aware they have a fertility obstacle until they TTC. How is that possible? Mainly because abnormalities with sperm health don’t often cause any symptoms. This is why it’s important to do a semen analysis. A semen analysis can give you invaluable insights into your sperm health. Even when no obvious symptoms are present!
Male infertility symptom 2: Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man struggles to get or maintain an erection that allows for pleasurable intercourse and ejaculation. It’s a common condition for men over age 40 with more than half of men ages 40 - 70 experiencing ED.
When the penis can’t get or stay erect for long enough, it doesn’t allow for sperm to enter the vagina for conception to be possible. According to the ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine), 18%–89% of infertile men experience erectile dysfunction. But having ED doesn’t always mean that a man has poor sperm health or infertility.
All that said, if you or your partner struggle with ED, it should be considered during a male fertility evaluation. It directly impacts intercourse and can be linked to hormonal and reduced blood flow conditions.
Male infertility symptom 3: Low libido (sexual desire)
Sometimes, sexual dysfunction (including low sexual desire) are a sign of an underlying endocrine disorder like low testosterone. And hormonal imbalances can impact sperm production and reproductive health. Low sexual desire is also relatively common among couples experiencing infertility, with research suggesting that it may be a contributing factor in about one-third of infertile couples. However, low sex drive—even when related to low testosterone—does not necessarily mean a man is infertile. Some men may attempt to increase their testosterone levels through supplementation on their own. This isn't recommended as testosterone replacement therapy can actually greatly decrease sperm production. (It can inhibit the body’s natural signals that cue sperm production).
So if libido or testosterone levels aren’t optimal, it’s important to consult a doctor. They can help determine what may be contributing to the issue and the most appropriate treatment plan.
Male infertility symptom 4: Ejaculatory dysfunction
Ejaculatory dysfunction is exactly what it sounds like: challenges or irregularities with ejaculation. Ejaculatory dysfunction can be tied to infertility since it leads to issues with the delivery of sperm into the vagina. Here are some conditions associated with ejaculatory dysfunction:
- Dry orgasm (aspermia): orgasm is achieved, but no semen is released
- Ejaculatory duct obstruction: when semen is blocked from coming out
- Retrograde ejaculation: instead of traveling out, semen travels back towards the bladder
- Premature ejaculation: challenges with being able to control the timing of ejaculation
- Neurological conditions: Conditions impacting the spine (like Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis)
Keep in mind that these conditions don’t necessarily mean there’s an issue with normal sperm production. It’s more of a matter of the sperm not being able to get where it needs to go for natural conception to happen.
Male infertility symptom 5: Pain, lumps, or swelling around the testicles or scrotum
If a male notices any swelling, pain, or lumps around the scrotum or testicles, it could impact fertility. One of the most common conditions is varicocele. This is when the veins around the testicle are enlarged. For some men, varicocele can cause pain and discomfort. It could also impact sperm production and fertility. For others, varicocele may cause no symptoms or male infertility issues at all. Research shows that most men who have varicocele don’t experience any symptoms. And in cases where there are symptoms or fertility challenges, it’s usually simple to treat.
Male infertility symptom 6: Changes in the size or development of the testicles
Abnormalities with testicular size—either now or in the past—can be a clue of irregularities with sperm production. The two main conditions to look out for that could affect fertility are:
- Small or atrophic (shrunken) testicles
- Undescended testicles (cryptorchidism), especially when both testicles were affected
Male infertility symptom 7: Hormonal imbalance symptoms
Some men experience infertility due to hormonal conditions. Here are some common symptoms you may notice if you have low or high testosterone and other hormonal abnormalities:
- Low sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Chronic fatigue
- Decreased facial or body hair
- Reduced muscle mass
- Abnormal breast growth, such as breast enlargement (gynecomastia)
Genetic conditions such as Klinefelter syndrome (an extra X chromosome) can also present with these hormonal features alongside infertility. Keep in mind that noticing symptoms alone isn't the same as diagnosing male infertility. Men can experience the symptoms above and still be able to conceive. But if you do notice any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to get your FSH and testosterone levels tested.
Know more: Identifying Infertility: Common Signs, Symptoms, and Causes in Men and Women
And just as important to remember... The absence of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you won't have fertility challenges. As mentioned, sperm production issues often come with no signs.
Signs or no signs, you’re probably wondering what warrants a closer look at male fertility. More on this next!
When should you see a doctor about male infertility?
Thinking it may be time to loop in a healthcare professional? Let’s save you some needless Googling. Here are some instances that could mean the male partner is infertile:
- You’ve been TTC for 12 months without getting pregnant
- You have problems with ejaculation or erections
- You have a history of testicular problems or surgery
- You have a genetic condition that can be linked to male infertility issues (like Klinefelter syndrome)
- When the female partner experiences recurrent pregnancy loss
If any of these can be checked off in your situation, you may want to consider a fertility evaluation. This will usually include a semen analysis and your reproductive and medical history. What happens if any of these initial steps come up abnormal? Then further testing may be necessary to help pinpoint the underlying condition. One question many men wonder is if they can get any clues about their fertility just by looking at their semen. Let’s get to the bottom of this once and for all.
Does male infertility affect how sperm looks?
The short answer is no. Male infertility doesn’t always show up with any clear changes in semen appearance. Even if you have low sperm count or your sperm has abnormal shape or movement, your semen may still look normal. So the bottom line is that it’s not a good idea to judge your sperm health just by looking at your semen. The only true way to get insights into your sperm health is by getting a semen analysis. And sometimes more than one analysis at different times is needed in order to give you the best picture.
Know more: Semen Analysis for Male Fertility: What to Know
If you've read this far and feel overwhelmed at the thought of being infertile, you’re not alone.
The truth is: there are a variety of underlying conditions and symptoms linked to male infertility. But the other side of that reality is there are also lots of treatment options available too. So if you have any lingering concerns, play it safe. It's better to talk to a healthcare professional sooner than later. We’re hoping for the best for you.
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Paige Figueroa
Women’s Health Writer
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