male symptoms

Although men feel symptoms associated with infertility less often than women, it’s equally important that they visit their healthcare provider if something doesn’t feel quite right. Both physical symptoms and infections can provide clues about an underlying problem with his reproductive organs. A change in the size of a man's testes, a rapid change in weight or a sexually transmitted disease or urinary tract infection can all be relevant to a man’s fertility. Reporting symptoms as soon as they appear can help your healthcare provider make a timely diagnosis, and bring you and your partner one step closer to your goal.

infections

Certain infections have been known to affect a man’s fertility. In most cases, the impact is small, but in the case of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), the long-term effects can be severe.

If a man has had mumps as an adult or a child, it should be mentioned to his healthcare provider. The mumps virus usually affects only the glands below the jaw, which doesn’t compromise fertility. But if the virus does happen to affect a man’s testicles, it can cause a condition called mumps orchitis. About one-third of these men will experience reduced testicular function that can lead to abnormal quantity and movement of his sperm.

STDs, specifically chlamydia, can cause permanent damage if it’s left untreated and can eventually cause infertility in men. In fact, even if a man had chlamydia at some point in his past and was treated for it, the residual effects of the infection can be destructive. If a man has ever been treated for STDs (especially chlamydia), he may end up with azoospermia, epididymitis or sperm problems.

Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are not necessarily a sign of an infertility problem, but may be indicative of other problems. If a man has them regularly, it should be mentioned to his healthcare provider since it may suggest an immunological problem.

physical symptoms

If a man suspects or knows of a physical problem that may affect his fertility, he should report it to his healthcare provider. Some physical symptoms can indicate an underlying infertility problem, and the sooner the problem is identified, the sooner it can hopefully be resolved.

If a man has swollen testes, this may suggest epididymitis – a condition in which the epididymis (the tube on the back surface of a testicle which stores sperm) becomes inflamed. The man himself is the best judge of whether or not his testicles are swollen.

Undescended testes are usually surgically corrected at a very young age. But it’s still important to for a man to inform his healthcare provider when he’s planning to conceive, since the correction may have caused a hernia. If the condition wasn't corrected when he was younger, the scrotum will still be present, but will feel empty. This may indicate an infertility condition called cryptorchidism.

If a man has had a vasectomy reversal, once again he should let his healthcare provider know when he decides to try to have a child. Vasectomy reversals are not always successful and can cause a man to develop problems later on, such as blockages, sperm problems and azoospermia.