Most people tend to think it’s the woman’s problem if a couple is not able to have children, especially in India.

But a man can also have conditions that make it difficult for a couple to have children. Because a man’s contribution to procreation is the sperm, anything that affects the production of sperm, or its form (medically, ‘morphology’) or movement (’motility’), can affect a man’s fertility.

Some common things that can make a man less fertile or infertile:

1. Smoking, drinking alcohol, abusing drugs

All of these reduce the number of sperms produced by the testes. Alcohol and drugs can cause the testicles to shrink, and even second hand smoke can reduce a man’s fertility.

2. Genetic and hormonal problems

Men with problems with their pituitary or hypothalamus (which control the production of testosterone) or genetic issues like Klinefelter’s syndrome (when men have a XXY pattern of sex chromosomes) have fewer, unhealthier sperm.

3. Diseases

Many infections that affect the urinary or reproductive systems impair fertility. Mumps, which causes inflammation of the testicles, can reduce sperm production. Sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and chlamydia can make men infertile. Chlamydia, in fact, has no symptoms except infertility.

4. Environmental causes

Exposure to lead, pesticides, and herbicides can affect the hormones and reduce fertility. If the testes is exposed to heat, for example in a sauna or from a laptop placed over the crotch, it will produce fewer sperm.

5. Lifestyle causes

Malnutrition, obesity, and diabetes reduce a man’s fertility. Men, like women, suffer declined fertility as they age.

If a couple has not been able to conceive after one year of unprotected and frequent intercourse, both the man and woman need to consult a doctor. About 30% of the time the problem is with the man alone. The rest of the time, the problem is either with the woman alone or with both of them, or the cause is never found.

Read more about men and infertility:

1. About male infertility

2. Vatican newspaper blames the contraceptive pill for male infertility

3. 50% of male infertility in Kolkata is caused by pollution

4. There is a worldwide fall in sperm count and quality