Top 10 Common Causes of Male Infertility You Should Know
Because sometimes, the answers are simpler than you think.
Let’s face it when a couple is struggling to have a baby, most people assume it must be the woman. But the truth? That’s only half the story.
Male infertility is surprisingly common. It doesn’t get talked about enough, and when it does come up, it’s often buried in awkward conversations or brushed off entirely. But if you’re here, reading this, chances are you’re looking for answers—not judgment.
So let’s talk honestly about it. What really causes of male infertility? And what can you actually do about it?
- Sperm Count That’s Just… Low
This is the one most people have heard of. You need a certain number of sperm to make pregnancy more likely. If you’re well below that range, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible—but it can take a lot longer, and might need a bit of help.
- They’re Not Swimming Right
Even if there are plenty of sperm, they need to move. Slow or lazy swimmers are one of the more common problems men run into. This one’s called motility—and without it, they’re not getting very far.
- Odd Shapes, Odd Results
Sperm aren’t all created equal. Some are misshapen, and that can make it harder for them to do their job. The medical term here is morphology—but in real-world terms, it just means they’re not built well enough to get to or enter the egg.
- Hormones That Are Off-Balance
You may not feel it day-to-day, but hormones control everything from your energy and mood to your sperm count and quality. If something’s out of balance—like low testosterone—it can throw the whole system off.
Sometimes this can happen naturally with age. Other times it’s linked to stress, weight gain, medications, or even underlying conditions. Blood tests usually catch it quickly.
- Varicocele – the Silent Troublemaker
A lot of guys have never even heard of this. It’s basically like varicose veins, but in your scrotum. Weird as it sounds, it’s incredibly common—and can mess with your sperm by heating things up in places that should stay cool.
- Lifestyle Choices That Sneak Up on You
Let’s be real—late nights, drinking, smoking, processed food, too much screen time, not enough movement… sound familiar? All of that adds up.
If you’re wondering how to improve sperm health, start here:
Sleep better. Move more. Cut back on alcohol and cigarettes. Try to manage stress (easier said than done, we know). Sometimes, getting back to the basics is the most powerful thing you can do.
- Heat, Chemicals, and the Environment Around You
Your body’s making sperm all the time—but it’s a sensitive process. Too much heat (think: hot tubs, saunas, laptops on your lap for hours) can slow things down.
And if you work around chemicals, solvents, or anything toxic? That could be part of the problem too. It’s worth mentioning to your doctor.
- Infections You Might Not Know About
Some infections—especially STDs or anything that causes inflammation in the testicles or prostate—can interfere with sperm production or block the flow.
Often, you wouldn’t even know it happened unless it’s causing pain or shows up in a test. But the good news is, a lot of these are treatable.
- Ejaculation Problems
Sometimes, it’s not about the sperm themselves—but about how (or whether) they’re released.
Certain conditions or past surgeries can lead to retrograde ejaculation—where the semen goes backward into the bladder instead of coming out. If you’ve noticed little or no fluid during orgasm, this might be worth asking your doctor about.
- A Not-So-Great Diet
Food matters more than most people realize. If you’re missing key nutrients, your body doesn’t have what it needs to make healthy sperm.
So what foods are good for men’s fertility? Start with:
- Leafy greens
- Citrus fruits
- Eggs
- Pumpkin seeds
- Fatty fish like salmon
- Walnuts
Even a bit of dark chocolate
The goal isn’t to obsess just to build a better plate most days of the week.
When to Get Checked
Here’s a simple rule of thumb: if you and your partner have been trying to get pregnant for over a year (or six months if she’s over 35), it’s time for both of you to get evaluated.
For men, a semen analysis is the starting point. It’s quick. It’s private. And it gives you solid answers.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with infertility doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It just means there’s something going on—and chances are, it can be worked on.
At Asian Andrology, we see this every day. Real men, real couples, real questions. Whether you’re looking for clarity, solutions, or just someone who knows what they’re talking about—we’re here.
Getting answers doesn’t make you weak. It makes you smart. And it could be the first real step toward building the family you’ve been dreaming of.