Male Infertility: symptoms, causes & treatment in Nigeria
Also known as low sperm count, difficulty fathering a child.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician about your own health.
Overview
Male infertility contributes to about half of all couples' difficulty conceiving, usually through low sperm count, poor sperm movement or blocked passages — yet in many Nigerian homes only the woman gets tested. A simple semen analysis is painless, affordable and should be among the first tests for any couple trying for over a year. Many causes are treatable.
Symptoms
Usually no symptoms apart from difficulty conceiving
Reduced semen volume in some cases
Testicular swelling, lump or discomfort
Visible enlarged veins in the scrotum (varicocele)
Reduced facial or body hair (hormonal causes)
Problems with erection or ejaculation
Causes & risk factors
Varicocele — enlarged scrotal veins overheating the testes
Past infections including untreated STIs and mumps
Hormonal imbalance
Heat exposure, tight underwear, alcohol, smoking and anabolic steroids
Undescended testes, previous surgery or genetic factors
Treatment & self-care
Evaluation starts with semen analysis and examination, sometimes with hormone tests and a scrotal scan; treatment matches the cause — varicocele repair, hormone treatment, infection treatment or lifestyle change. Cooler clothing, stopping smoking, limiting alcohol and a healthy weight measurably improve sperm quality over about three months. Where counts remain very low, assisted conception (IUI or IVF/ICSI) offers real options.
See a doctor urgently if
No conception after 12 months of regular unprotected sex
A testicular lump, swelling or pain
Known history of undescended testis, mumps after puberty or groin surgery
Erection or ejaculation difficulties
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of Male Infertility?
Early signs often include usually no symptoms apart from difficulty conceiving, reduced semen volume in some cases, testicular swelling, lump or discomfort. Symptoms vary from person to person, so a proper assessment by a doctor is the only way to be sure.
Can Male Infertility be treated?
Evaluation starts with semen analysis and examination, sometimes with hormone tests and a scrotal scan; treatment matches the cause — varicocele repair, hormone treatment, infection treatment or lifestyle change. Cooler clothing, stopping smoking, limiting alcohol and a healthy weight measurably improve sperm quality over about three months. Where counts remain very low, assisted conception (IUI or IVF/ICSI) offers real options.
When should I see a doctor about Male Infertility?
See a doctor promptly if you notice: no conception after 12 months of regular unprotected sex; a testicular lump, swelling or pain; known history of undescended testis, mumps after puberty or groin surgery; erection or ejaculation difficulties.
See an MDCN-verified doctor about male infertility by video, audio or chat — then order medicine, book a lab test or get a home visit from the same app.