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sperm problems
Most forms of reduced fertility in the man relate to sperm abnormalities - problems with the quantity or quality of the sperm cells, or a combination of the two.
The chance of fertility falls if too few sperm cells are present (oligospermia). If the quality of the sperm is also reduced (for example, it has a low swimming ability or is mis-shaped), fertilisation is even more difficult to achieve.
symptoms
There can sometimes be symptoms depending on the cause of the deficient sperm quality. However, the sperm quality itself can only be assessed by carrying out a semen analysis or sperm test.
cause
Sperm problems can be the result of a wide range of factors. In general, it is not possible to identify a clear cause for either a reduced number of sperm cells and/or reduced sperm quality. Lifestyle, smoking, alcohol and drug use can all contribute. It has also been shown that frequent exposure to high temperatures, such as saunas, a sedentary occupation (lorry driver) and possibly wearing very tight underwear can play a role, as can environmental conditions. But the bottom line is that if you are affected, then you will have to accept the fact that the actual underlying cause of your problem will usually remain a mystery. Therefore, it is not always possible to correct the sperm problem, although this does not mean fertilisation cannot be achieved.
treatment
There are several different approaches to treatment depending on the exact nature of the sperm problem. This generally means that in practice the woman will have to undergo some form of fertility treatment to become pregnant.
