Treatment options for men

Male fertility treatment depends on the underlying cause. The good news is that many causes of male infertility are treatable, and outcomes have improved significantly.

Your treatment pathway will depend on your semen analysis results, blood tests, and physical examination. Here's what the main options look like.

For mild abnormalities in semen analysis, lifestyle modifications are often tried first: • Weight loss if BMI > 25 (South Asian threshold) • Stopping smoking • Reducing alcohol • Improving diet • Reducing heat exposure • Evidence-based supplementation (zinc, selenium, vitamin D) These changes take 3–6 months to show effect (one full sperm production cycle is ~74 days). A repeat semen analysis after 3 months will show whether changes have helped.

• Hormonal treatment, if testosterone, FSH, or LH levels are abnormal, medication can help restore normal sperm production • Antibiotic treatment, for infections of the reproductive tract • Surgical correction of varicocele, may improve sperm parameters in some cases • Surgical sperm retrieval, when sperm are produced but can't get out (obstructive azoospermia), sperm can be surgically extracted directly from the testes

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), sperm is concentrated and placed directly in the uterus during ovulation. Used for mild male factor issues. Less invasive, lower cost.

IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation), eggs are collected from the ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory. Used for moderate male factor issues.

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), a single sperm is injected directly into an egg. Used for severe male factor infertility. Even men with very low sperm counts can sometimes become fathers through ICSI.

Your doctor can tell you what's available in your area. Don't assume you won't qualify, ask.