Male Infertility: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment Options
13.4.2026 · 6 min reading
Male infertility is more common than you might think. It contributes to up to 40% of cases where a couple is trying to conceive.
Male infertility is more common than you might think. It contributes to up to 40% of cases where a couple is trying to conceive.
It is often overlooked, yet there are many ways to support male fertility. Discover the main causes, how lifestyle and oxidative stress affect sperm, and how modern methods such as IVF and ICSI can help your journey to parenthood.
The most common causes of male infertility
Men with infertility may also have a higher risk of certain diseases and malignancies later in life. Early diagnosis is therefore essential.
Lifestyle plays a key role in fertility
Sperm quality is strongly influenced by lifestyle:
- Smoking, alcohol, drug use and excess weight can reduce sperm count and motility
- Stress and long working hours can disrupt hormonal balance
- Tight underwear, hot baths and prolonged sitting may increase testicular temperature and negatively affect sperm quality
- Diet and sleep matter – adequate sleep and a balanced diet rich in fresh fruit, vegetables and fish support healthy sperm production
Oxidative stress – the silent enemy of sperm
Oxidative stress is a significant factor in male infertility. Free radicals damage sperm DNA, reducing sperm quality and fertilisation potential.
Common causes: smoking, varicocele, infections, ageing.
Treatment options for male infertility
The goal of treatment is not only to improve semen parameters, but above all to increase the chances of achieving pregnancy and a healthy birth.
1 Lifestyle modification
- Eliminate smoking and limit alcohol consumption
- Reduce stress – ideally no more than 8 working hours per day
- Engage in moderate, regular exercise, relaxation and ensure sufficient sleep (at least 8 hours per day)
- Follow a balanced diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, fish (3 times per week), and limit red meat and processed foods
2 Antioxidants and supplements
Supplements such as inositol, coenzyme Q10, folic acid and probiotics may support sperm health.
3 Hormonal and pharmacological treatment
Hormonal therapy may, in selected cases, help improve sperm quality or stimulate sperm production. However, it is not a universal solution and always depends on the underlying cause, hormonal profile and overall health of the patient.
In selected patients, treatments such as aromatase inhibitors (e.g. anastrozole, letrozole, exemestane) may be used to restore hormonal balance. In certain situations, FSH therapy may also be administered, particularly in men with reduced sperm production (e.g. oligospermia).
It is therefore essential to consult a reproductive specialist who can recommend the most appropriate treatment based on a thorough evaluation.
4 Surgical treatment
Procedures such as varicocele repair can improve blood flow and, consequently, sperm quality.
In men with azoospermia (no sperm in the ejaculate), sperm can be retrieved directly from the testis or epididymis using specialised techniques such as TESE (testicular sperm extraction) or MESA (microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration).
These methods make it possible to obtain even very small numbers of sperm, which can then be used for fertilisation.
5 Assisted reproduction
Methods such as IVF and ICSI enable fertilisation even in cases of poor sperm quality and are often the pathway to a successful pregnancy.
If sperm are obtained surgically (e.g. via TESE or MESA), they can be used in combination with ICSI, where a single sperm is selected and injected directly into the egg by an embryologist.
Male infertility is not the end – it is a challenge that can be addressed.
The key lies in early diagnosis, a healthy lifestyle and expert care. At Europe IVF, we offer advanced diagnostics of male fertility as well as modern treatment approaches that significantly increase the chances of achieving pregnancy and the birth of a healthy baby.
