Options for Pregnancy when your Husband is Infertile

Did you know that according to an article published by womenshealth.gov, male infertility is the cause of one third of the cases of unsuccessful pregnancy? Male infertility can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which can be treated by medicine or surgery. However, in some cases, a procedure known as ICSI (intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) may be required. There are many clinics available for ICSI in Hyderabad.

Causes and Treatments for Male Infertility

Male infertility is caused either due to a low sperm count, abnormalities in the sperm’s shape and movement, or difficulties with ejaculation. According to an article published on mayoclinic.org, male infertility can be caused by medical, environmental, and health or lifestyle related factor. One condition that can damage sperm is varicocele. In this condition, the veins that drain the testicle swell and overheat the testicle. Other medical causes include infections, abnormalities in the testicular anatomy, prior surgeries, certain medications, cancer, celiac disease, hormone imbalance, and problems with sexual intercourse.

Environmental causes of male infertility include prolonged exposure to industrial chemicals such as benzene, toluene, certain pesticides and herbicides, exposure to heavy metals, high doses of radiation and overheating of the testicles. Lifestyle causes include heavy illegal drug use or alcohol intake, smoking, and obesity.

Medicines can cure certain causes of infertility. Sometimes, surgery may also be indicated. When there is mild male infertility due to some problems with the sperm, or in cases of unexplained infertility, artificial insemination is used. In this process, especially treated sperm are injected into the woman’s uterus. When neither medicines nor surgery nor artificial insemination are working, couples may opt for assisted reproductive technology, where both the eggs and the sperm are handled outside the body. In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is the most common such technology. The woman is given hormones to increase egg production. When the eggs are ready, they are removed from the uterus and placed in a petri dish along with sperm. Once the embryos are formed, they are transferred back to the uterus. However, if the sperm are unable to fertilize the eggs themselves due to low count, abnormal shape, or slow speed, the ICSI procedure may be required.

ICSI treatment involves the injection of the sperm into each egg individually using a thin hollow glass needle. Once the embryos are formed, they are inserted into the woman’s uterus in expectation of a pregnancy. Thus, even if there is male infertility, ICSI in Hyderabad can help couples get pregnant.