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About 30 per cent of infertility cases in Australia are due to problems with male fertility, while a further 30 per cent are traced to problems with both the male and female.

What causes male infertility?

There are various causes for male infertility, including:
  • Low sperm quality or quantity, approximately two-thirds of infertile men have sperm-production problems, such as low sperm count, complete absence of sperm, abnormally shaped sperm or problems with the way sperm moves
  • Issues with the ability of sperm to reach the egg, this could be due to damage to the testicles, swollen veins in the scrotum, a blockage or obstruction in the testes, erectile or ejaculation disorders or the presence of sperm antibodies
  • Medical conditions or hormonal problems, such as chronic medical conditions like diabetes or problems with the levels of male sex hormones in the body
  • Lifestyle or environmental factors, including smoking, recreational drugs, alcohol, stress, being overweight, lack of exercise or exposure to excessive heat
  • Age, from 35, men are roughly half as fertile as they were at 25, and their fertility decreases dramatically from the age of 55
  • Sperm DNA fragmentation, meaning the DNA stored in the head of the sperm has been damaged

One in 20 Australian men have low sperm levels. One in every 100 men has no sperm at all.

Understanding male infertility

In the past, initial investigations into fertility problems centred around the woman, who often underwent invasive testing. It's now common practice for Fertility Specialists to look at both partners in the early stages of investigations.

With the majority of male infertility cases relating to sperm, simple tests such as a semen analysis can help find the cause of fertility problems.

Many cases of male infertility can be overcome with treatment or with the help of assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF, but it's important to begin investigations early so you have the best chance of conceiving.

One in 20 Australian men have low sperm levels. One in every 100 men has no sperm at all.

How is male infertility diagnosed?

If you think you might have a problem with fertility, please contact us to arrange a comprehensive fertility check-up. This non-invasive testing will provide a detailed overview of your fertility and will include:
  • Taking a medical history
  • Completing a physical examination
  • Taking blood and urine samples to assess general health and look for conditions that can affect fertility, including STDs and hormone levels
  • Semen analysis to check sperm count, motility and morphology
  • Sperm Chromatin Integrity Test (SCIT) to check for sperm DNA fragmentation

Further tests may be recommended depending on the outcome of initial investigations and can include genetic testing, ultrasound or MRI, testicular biopsies and/or fine needle aspirations, and antisperm antibodies tests.

From 35, men are roughly half as fertile as they were at 25. Their fertility decreases dramatically from the age of 55.

How is male infertility treated?

Many cases of male infertility can be overcome with treatment or with the help of assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF. The right treatment depends on the underlying cause, which is why early investigation and a personalised approach are so important.

Lifestyle and modifiable risk factors

For some men, addressing lifestyle and health factors can improve sperm quality. This includes counselling on nutrition, physical activity, weight management, smoking, alcohol and mental wellbeing. Sperm production is highly sensitive to lifestyle and environmental factors, so even small changes can make a meaningful difference.

IVF and ICSI

Assisted reproductive technologies like IVF, often combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), can help couples conceive when male fertility factors are present. ICSI involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg, which can assist fertilisation in cases where sperm quality or quantity would otherwise make conception difficult.

Surgical sperm retrieval

For men with no sperm in their ejaculate, whether due to obstruction or impaired production, Genea offers surgical sperm retrieval procedures including:
  • TESA (testicular sperm aspiration) and TESE (testicular sperm extraction), procedures that retrieve sperm directly from the testes
  • MicroTESE (microsurgical testicular sperm extraction), the gold-standard procedure for men with non-obstructive azoospermia, using high-powered magnification to identify and extract viable sperm

These microsurgical techniques, performed by experienced specialists, can give men with azoospermia a pathway to biological fatherhood that simply wasn't possible a generation ago.

Specialist andrology care

Genea Andrology is staffed by scientists who specialise exclusively in male fertility. Our laboratories conduct the full spectrum of male infertility diagnostic testing, from standard semen analysis performed to WHO standards through to advanced sperm function tests, ensuring accurate diagnosis and the right treatment plan.

Holistic support

We don't just treat fertility in isolation. Our team includes fertility counsellors and nurses who understand that a diagnosis of male infertility can be deeply impactful, providing emotional support alongside medical care.

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