1 in 6 Couples Struggles with Infertility: Expert Highlights Male Fertility Challenges

MEDİCENTER TV / TÜRKİYE

Male Factor Infertility Accounts for Half of All Cases

Infertility affects one in every six couples, even after a full year of regular, unprotected intercourse. In countries like Turkey, where family ties and societal expectations around parenthood are strong, this reality can create emotional and social pressure on couples. According to Prof. Dr. Tümay İpekçi from Memorial Şişli Hospital’s Department of Urology and Andrology, infertility is a shared challenge between genders and male-related infertility makes up about 50% of all cases.

How Lifestyle Choices Are Compromising Male Fertility

Modern lifestyle factors such as obesity, smoking, alcohol use, unhealthy diets, and chronic stress significantly contribute to reproductive issues in both men and women. In men, additional causes range from hormonal imbalances and testicular disorders to issues in sperm transport or even unexplained infertility. Conditions such as hypogonadism (low testosterone levels), thyroid dysfunction, and prolactin elevation can also interfere with sperm production and quality.

Dr. İpekçi explains that infertility should be evaluated with a thorough medical history, semen analysis, and a physical exam to assess testicular size and consistency. If needed, more advanced diagnostic tools such as sperm DNA fragmentation tests, genetic screenings, hormonal panels, and imaging may be employed.

Early Diagnosis Enables Targeted Treatment

The root causes of male infertility can often be clearly identified. Once the issue is diagnosed, customized treatments can help many men achieve their dream of becoming a father. Treatments may range from lifestyle interventions to medical therapies and even surgical solutions depending on the underlying problem.

Infections in the male reproductive tract, while not always causing complete infertility, should be treated if symptomatic. Additionally, ejaculation disorders, such as retrograde or absent ejaculation, can be managed through medical or surgical intervention.

Surgical and Advanced Interventions for Complex Cases

When male infertility is linked to physical blockages or varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum), surgical procedures such as microsurgical varicocelectomy, vasovasostomy, or epididymovasostomy may be recommended.

For more complex cases like non-obstructive azoospermia—where no sperm is found in the semen—advanced surgical techniques such as micro-TESE (microsurgical testicular sperm extraction) can offer hope. Other sperm retrieval methods include PESA, MESA, TESA, and TESE, which play a critical role in fertility treatments involving assisted reproductive technologies like IVF.

Healthy Living Increases Fertility Success

Regardless of the cause or treatment approach, one consistent factor remains: lifestyle matters. Dr. İpekçi emphasizes the positive impact of a healthy lifestyle on fertility outcomes. Adopting a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and minimizing stress can significantly enhance sperm quality and overall reproductive health.

Smoking, for instance, is known to drastically reduce sperm motility and count, while obesity is linked to hormonal imbalances and inflammation that impair sperm function. Maintaining an ideal body weight and cultivating a positive mental outlook throughout the treatment process can improve the odds of successful conception.

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