Male fertility: The unsung half of the parenthood journey
Representative Image
Becoming a parent is one of life's most profound and cherished milestones. Yet, in many traditional societies like India, discussions around fertility tend to focus predominantly on motherhood, often sidelining the role of fatherhood. Oasis Fertility , through the insights of Dr Krishna Chaitanya Mantravadi,
Scientific Head
, highlights that parenthood is a shared responsibility where male reproductive health is just as vital in the journey to conception. Despite this, the persistent myth that infertility is solely a woman's issue continues to blur the truth.
Infertility is on the rise across India, particularly in states like Telangana, where around 15% of couples are affected. Nationally, an estimated 15–20 million couples grapple with infertility, with male factors contributing to nearly 40–45% of cases.
1
However, due to deep-seated stigma, misconceptions, and ignorance, men are less likely to seek help or even acknowledge the issue. Misconceptions such as 'age doesn't affect male fertility' or 'conception is easy post-marriage' only add to the problem.
'Male infertility can stem from a variety of causes, primarily categorised under sperm disorders, hormonal imbalances, and lifestyle factors. Early diagnosis significantly improves the chances of conception. Unfortunately, many men delay treatment due to stigma, misinformation, or denial. This not only reduces success rates but can also lead to emotional and financial strain. The good news is that most male infertility conditions are treatable, and advanced reproductive technologies have opened doors even in complex cases.', affirms Dr Krishna Chaitanya M, Scientific Head,
Oasis Fertility
.
The most common issues include:
Sperm disorders:
These involve low sperm count (oligospermia), absence of sperm (azoospermia), poor sperm motility (asthenospermia), and abnormal shape or morphology (teratospermia). These are the most prevalent causes of male infertility.
Varicocele
:
A prevalent disorder characterised by enlargement of the veins draining the testicle. Varicocele is the most common reversible cause of male infertility.
Ejaculation issues:
These range from retrograde ejaculation—where semen enters the bladder during orgasm instead of exiting the penis, to premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. They can result from diabetes, spinal injuries, certain medications, or past surgeries.
Infections:
Conditions such as gonorrhoea, HIV, and other STIs, as well as orchitis (testicle inflammation) and epididymitis (epididymis inflammation), can impair sperm production or block sperm transport.
Hormonal imbalances:
Disorders affecting testosterone, luteinising hormone (LH), or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) can disrupt sperm production and overall reproductive function.
Lifestyle factors:
Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, obesity, sedentary habits, poor diet, and exposure to environmental toxins or heat can all reduce sperm count and quality.
Several
IVF
clinics and medical organisations are breaking the stigma around male infertility, urging men to seek scientific treatments and highlighting the vital role of male reproductive health in ensuring healthy offspring.
Modern
treatment
options include:
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (
ICSI
):
A single sperm is injected directly into the egg to aid fertilisation.
Testicular Sperm Extraction
(TESE):
A surgical procedure to retrieve sperm in cases of azoospermia.
DNA Fragmentation Tests:
Assess the quality of sperm DNA, especially useful for couples with repeated IVF failures or miscarriages.
With the help of customised treatment protocols and cutting-edge techniques, many men with fertility issues can now realise their dream of fatherhood.
Among the organisations leading the charge in addressing male infertility is
Oasis Fertility
—a pioneer in ethical, technology-driven fertility care. With over 31 advanced centres in 19 Indian cities, Oasis Fertility boasts an impressive IVF success rate of 65%, surpassing global benchmarks.
Backed by an expert medical team and advanced infrastructure, the centre has helped welcome over 100,000 healthy babies into the world. What sets Oasis apart is its scientific methods, transparent practices, accessible pricing, compassionate care and personalised treatment plans.
Clinics
also operate during evenings and Sundays, catering to the schedules of working professionals.
In celebration of Father's Day, Oasis Fertility has launched a powerful initiative titled 'Happy Fathers-to-Be', centred on the theme 'Healthy Man, Happy Father.' This campaign aims to encourage men to participate actively in the fertility journey by offering personalised counselling and comprehensive support covering medical, nutritional, and lifestyle aspects.
As part of the campaign,
Oasis Fertility
offered free semen analysis for traffic police personnel, along with free fertility screening assessments across all its centres in Telangana on June 13th. Additionally, the campaign features interactive educational workshops and personalised counselling sessions designed to dispel common myths about male infertility and raise awareness about key contributing factors such as age, poor diet, stress, sleep, exposure to environmental toxins, and excessive use of digital devices, encouraging men to take proactive steps toward improving their fertility and overall well-being.
By focusing on both physical and emotional well-being, the campaign helps men understand the importance of early screening, proper diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment.
Redefining fatherhood
Male infertility is no longer a hidden or silent issue. By integrating healthy lifestyle practices, embracing scientific advancements, and seeking timely medical help, men can significantly improve their fertility and support their partners on the journey to parenthood. Campaigns such as 'Happy Fathers-to-be-day' encourage men to incorporate fertility treatments and take an active role in their reproductive journeys.
This Fathers' Day, let's honour fatherhood and put the health and wellbeing of soon-to-be fathers first, redefining what it means to be a father.
TIL
does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of their views. This should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your treating physician for more details. This article has been produced on behalf of
Roche
by Times Internet's Spotlight team.
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