Signs of Infertility in Men: Key Symptoms and When to Seek Help

Reviewed by Dr. Shripriya Gadwalkar ,

Expert Verified

Disclosure

Last updated: October 01, 2025

Overview

Infertility is not only a women's health concern, but according to several studies, male factors contribute to nearly half of infertility worldwide. Male-factor infertility can be defined as any health characteristic that decreases the chance that a man’s female partner becomes pregnant. The problem is that male infertility signs are often vague and are ignored until a couple struggles to conceive. Recognising the male infertility signs, understanding the infertility causes in men, and asking for medical assistance promptly will improve fertility outcomes.

Here is a summary of the signs of infertility in men and the possible causes of these challenges.

Introduction

Infertility affects about 15% of couples worldwide, and medical professionals estimate that male infertility contributes towards nearly half of infertility cases. Unfortunately, unless they consciously attempt to start a family, many men remain unaware that they could have a problem. While there are many reasons for male infertility, it is helpful to understand the background, causes, and risks involved to seek help and treatment for it.

This article discusses the male infertility signs, how to identify the most common male infertility symptoms, and answers many of the concerns about when to pursue medical help. With the knowledge of these signals early on, men can obtain medical help in a timely manner that will improve their conception rates.

What Does Male Infertility Mean?

Male infertility is when a man cannot have a child with his partner even after 12 months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. The most common reasons for male infertility are a low sperm count, poor sperm motility (movement), abnormal shape of sperm, obstructions or anatomical problems in the reproductive tract.
Unlike women, men do not frequently have glaring symptoms pointing to a fertility problem. The early signs of male infertility are often subtle or completely hidden. A man could have reduced sperm quality but not have any apparent changes in general health or sexual function. Often, the only sign is the failure to conceive despite months of trying.
Abnormalities of sperm count/movement/shape are only recognised after semen is analysed under a microscope. Since visible symptoms do not always present themselves with these male fertility issues, it is helpful for couples to seek medical advice if pregnancy doesn't occur within a year. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve chances of conception and guide the right fertility plan.

Common Signs of Infertility in Men

Men's infertility symptoms often go unnoticed, as they have many inconspicuous signs. The most apparent indicator is the failure to achieve pregnancy after regular intercourse. However, several other signs may indicate issues with male fertility.

Below are some of the most common early symptoms of male infertility.

1. Sexual Health Symptoms

Fertility and sexual health go hand in hand. Some men do experience changes with sex performance, which could be related to having a low testosterone level, poor sperm health or other underlying issues like diabetes.

Difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction): Issues with achieving or maintaining an erection can complicate conception and may indicate hormonal issues or blood flow issues.
Low sex drive (reduced libido): It is also common to experience a reduction in interest in sex, which can sometimes relate to hormonal balance or stress, both of which can affect fertility.
Problems with ejaculation: Very small semen volume, premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, or absence of ejaculation may all interfere with sperm reaching the egg.

2. Physical Symptoms

There may also be specific physical signs in the body that indicate infertility.

Pain, swelling, or lumps in the testicles: Indicate varicocele (swollen veins), infection and other conditions. Thereby affecting sperm production.
Reduced facial or body hair, loss of muscle mass: This can be a sign of a hormonal imbalance that impacts sperm development.
Enlarged breasts (gynecomastia): Growing breast tissue in men is often related to a hormone imbalance that can lower sperm production.

Sexual Health Symptoms

In some cases, structural or medical conditions directly impact sperm production or transportation.

Small, firm, or undescended testicles: These conditions may lower sperm production and contribute to infertility.
History of infections: Infections, such as mumps after puberty, or untreated sexually transmitted infections, may harm the reproductive system.
Difficulty conceiving: After a year of trying, the inability to conceive serves, most often, as the common and sometimes only indication of male infertility. This identifies the need for infertility testing that often comes with measuring sperm parameters in semen analysis.

Many people are unaware that male fertility issues are prevalent and treatable. Knowing the signs of infertility in men can help you. Speak with a fertility professional if you encounter any of these early indicators of male infertility. Getting evaluated as soon as possible can help find the underlying problem and improve the likelihood of a successful conception.

Causes of Infertility in Men

Male infertility can be caused by a wide range of lifestyle and medical factors. For treatment, it is critical to identify these reasons.

Low sperm count (oligospermia): Oligospermia, or low sperm count, is one of the main reasons why men are infertile.
Poor sperm motility (asthenozoospermia): Sperm that have trouble swimming to the egg are said to have poor motility (asthenozoospermia).
Abnormal sperm shape (teratozoospermia): Teratozoospermia occurs when a significant proportion of a man's sperm have abnormal shape or morphology, including defects in the head, defects in the midpiece, and defects in the tail. Abnormally shaped sperm have difficulty in penetrating the egg and fertilising it.
Hormonal imbalances: Infertility may arise from issues with the testicles or from abnormalities in the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, or adrenal gland, among other hormonal systems.
Varicocele: This is an enlargement of the veins in the scrotal sac, which raises the temperature of the testes and influences sperm production and quality.
Genetic or medical conditions: Infertility is linked to several medical diseases, including diabetes, thyroid issues, and cystic fibrosis. In certain cases, genetic defects can also cause infertility in men.
Lifestyle factors: Several lifestyle choices, such as smoking cigarettes, drinking too much alcohol, using recreational drugs, anabolic steroids and being obese, can have an impact on male fertility. Both the amount and quality of sperm might be adversely affected by each of these.

When Should Men Seek Medical Help?

Infertility is not always easy to identify, particularly in men. Many of the male infertility symptoms may go unnoticed or remain hidden, which is why men commonly choose to seek help long after the problem began. Most of the time, the first signs of infertility show up when a couple is attempting to conceive and cannot do so after several months of regular unprotected intercourse.

Understanding the reasons for male infertility and available treatments is crucial for early diagnosis, which is why men who are aware of infertility issues are more likely to seek help sooner rather than later.

Men should seek medical advice if they experience:

Inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex (the most common indicator of fertility problems).
History of trauma to the testis or surgery (may affect sperm production or sperm function).
Multiple miscarriages with the partner (possibly due to genetic reasons or major sperm quality issues).
Erectile dysfunction or problems with ejaculation (which can hinder conception).
A notable lump or pain in the testis could indicate some underlying problems with male fertility.
If they have chronic health conditions like diabetes, arthritis, etc.
If they are diagnosed with hormonal issues like hypothyroidism, low testosterone levels, etc

How Is Male Infertility Diagnosed?

Because early signs of infertility in men are often silent, diagnostic tests are the means to understand the causes of infertility. A fertility specialist will probably request one or more of the following tests:

1. Semen Analysis

This is the first and the most important test. It tests morphology (shape), motility (movement), and sperm count. A low sperm count and poor-quality sperm are among the most common causes of male infertility.

2. DFI

The DNA Fragmentation Index measures the DNA damage of sperm due to oxidative stress. This value can be abnormal even when other parameters of semen analysis seem to be in range. A higher value can cause difficulty in conception and repeated miscarriage.

3. Hormone Testing

Blood tests measure follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone levels. These hormonal issues and subsequent sperm production effects are the major sources of infertility among men.

4. Testicular Ultrasound

An ultrasound of the testicles and scrotum. This test will reveal any structural problems, blockages, or varicocele (enlarged veins) that affect sperm quality or sperm production.

5. Genetic Testing

Fertility issues can be genetic. Genetic testing will reveal chromosomal abnormalities or conditions like Klinefelter's syndrome, thus accounting for the clinical diagnosis of male factor infertility.

6.STI & Infection Screening

Infections can damage the reproductive system or block the sperm's routes. Screening can rule out STIs and other infectious diseases that may be reversible and may cause issues with fertility.

Can Male Infertility Be Treated?

Yes, male infertility can often be treated. The effective treatment depends on the underlying cause. Many men may present subtle or hidden male infertility symptoms, such as difficulty conceiving or changes in sexual health. Some men may have other obvious symptoms of infertility, such as testicular pain or hormonal changes. The first step is often a medical evaluation, as many times, early symptoms of male infertility aren't treated very seriously.

Doctors often look for one of several different causes of infertility in men, which could include low levels of hormones, any structural problems in the total reproductive tract, the presence of any infection, defective sperm production, as found in semen analysis. Once a cause is discovered, treatment options can range from remedies to improve the health of the sperm to fixing any physical problems, and in cases of no sperm seen in semen analysis, the use of modern advanced reproductive approaches.

There are generally several options for the treatment of male infertility. Here are a few examples.

Lifestyle changes: Improving diet, exercise patterns, stress management, stopping smoking and drinking may reasonably improve sperm quality.
Medications or hormone therapy: Many times, men are given medications or hormones to correct or adjust hormone levels and improve sperm production.
Surgery: Some surgical intervention may be required, and this may include varicocele repair as well as obstruction clearance to regain fertility.
Assisted reproductive techniques: Assisted reproduction technology, including the use of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), can override extreme sperm issues and enable a pregnancy to take place.

And with the right medical help, the majority of men who struggle with infertility have a good chance of becoming dads.

Conclusion

Most signs of infertility in men are not readily apparent, and many will go unnoticed or unsuspected without a particular medical evaluation. But being educated on the common male infertility symptoms, getting tested early, and being treated for fertility issues as early as possible can greatly increase the likelihood of conception.

If you, your partner, or your near and dear one is suffering from fertility concerns, see a specialist without delay. Our expert doctors at Indira IVF utilise advanced diagnostic methods and create a treatment plan tailored specifically to address male fertility problems, ultimately giving the couple the best chance at achieving parenthood.

Introduction
What Does Male Infertility Mean?
Common Signs of Infertility in Men
Causes of Infertility in Men
When Should Men Seek Medical Help?
How Is Male Infertility Diagnosed?
Can Male Infertility Be Treated?
Conclusion

Common Questions Asked

What is the most common sign of male infertility?

Low counts of sperm are the most common issue, which can only be confirmed through a semen analysis.

Can a man be infertile without symptoms?

Yes, many men have no apparent signs of male infertility until they are trying to conceive.

Does low sperm count always cause infertility?

Not necessarily. Men with low sperm count signs can oftentimes father a child naturally, though success rates are usually lower.

Is erectile dysfunction always linked to infertility?

No. Erectile dysfunction can affect sexual intercourse, but it is not always a direct cause of infertility.

Can lifestyle changes reverse infertility in men?

Yes. Stopping smoking, drinking less alcohol, eating a balanced diet, and engaging in physical activity may improve the quality of sperm.

At what age does male fertility decline?

Male fertility gradually decreases after 40. Sperm quality is related to male fertility, but a man can still have a child later in life.

What tests should men take if they suspect infertility?

A semen analysis is typically the first test as a man goes through the steps of a fertility work-up. If the semen analysis is abnormal, hormone tests, ultrasound, or genetic tests may be next.