Infertility in Men and Women Explained - Causes and Treatment

Infertility in Men and Women Explained – Causes and Treatment

May 20, 2026

Infertility effects men and women similar ways, roughly one-third of the men, females and in some cases both in the couple have infertility. So, it is almost equal in men and women. One-third of the cases where the reasons stay unknown.

The impact is even after frequent sexual intercourse within 365 days or one year there is inability to conceive.

The biological causes and diagnosis and treatment vary for men and women.

Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Male Infertility	Female Infertility
Primary Causes	Production of sperm, function, or delivery issues.	Disorder related to ovulation, tubal damage, or uterine problems.
Common Diagnoses	Low sperm count, poor motility, abnormal morphology.	Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, blocked tubes.
Diagnostic Tests	Analysis of semen, hormone tests, ultrasound.	Ovulation tracking, HSG (hysterosalpingogram), ultrasound, laparoscopy.
Age Impact	Gradual decline post 40 years age; production continues throughout life.	Sharp decline after 35; natural fertility typically ends in mid-40s.

Main Causes of Infertility

Male Factors:

Sperm Issues: Low sperm count (fewer than 15 million sperm per ml), poor movement of sperms (motility), or irregular shape (morphology) that prevents penetration of the egg.
Varicocele: Enlarged veins in the scrotum that increase testicular temperature, harming sperm production.
Ejaculation Disorders: Not so common conditions like retrograde ejaculation where semen enters the bladder instead of exiting through the penis.

Female Factors:

Ovulation Disorders: Irregular or absent release of eggs, often caused by PCOS or primary ovarian insufficiency.
Tubal Infertility: Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, frequently due to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) or previous surgeries.
Endometriosis: Tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, potentially scarring tubes or ovaries.

Shared Risk Factors

Several lifestyle and environmental factors can negatively impact fertility in both men and women:

Excess Body weight: Obesity can cause issues with hormones and ovulation in women, and reduce testosterone levels and sperm quality in men.
Addictions: Smoking, vaping, frequent alcohol consumption, and recreational drug use are linked to lower sperm quality and problems with ovulation.
STIs: Infections like chlamydia and gonorrhoea can cause permanent scarring in both reproductive tracts.
Environmental Toxins: Exposure to pesticides, lead, and heavy metals can damage reproductive cells.
Health factors: Certain lifestyle diseases and health issues impact fertility in men and women.

COUPLES PLANNING A PREGNANCY

For couples planning a pregnancy, treatment options range from simple lifestyle changes to advanced medical procedures. A healthy conception journey often begins with addressing the health of both partners through diagnostic testing and targeted interventions.

CORE MEDICAL TREATMENTS

Medical interventions are typically categorized into basic treatments and advanced Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

Ovulation Induction: certain medications as prescribed by specialist doctors stimulate the ovaries to release eggs, helpful for women with irregular cycles or PCOS.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): Prepared, concentrated sperm is placed directly into the uterus during ovulation to increase fertilization chances. It is often a first-line treatment for mild male or unexplained infertility.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Eggs are retrieved, fertilized in a lab, and the resulting embryo is transferred back to the uterus. It is highly effective for blocked tubes or severe endometriosis.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): An advanced IVF technique where a single healthy sperm is injected directly into an egg. It is the primary solution for severe male factor infertility.
Fertility Surgery: Procedures to clear blocked fallopian tubes, remove uterine fibroids, or repair a varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum) in men.

ENSURING A HEALTHY CHILD

To increase the likelihood of a healthy baby, specialists use screening and supportive therapies.

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): Embryos created through IVF can be screened for genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities before transfer.
Donor Programmes: Using donor eggs or sperm can be an option if one partner has a significant genetic condition or poor gamete quality.
Prenatal Supplements: certain supplements as prescribed by specialist doctors can help improve egg and sperm quality.

ESSENTIAL LIFESTYLE STEPS

Both partners should make suitable lifestyle adjustments at least 3–6 months before conception to improve outcomes. Avoiding self -medication is also important.

For Women: Maintain a healthy BMI , quit smoking, and limit caffeine and alcohol is very important.

For Men: It is important to Keep the testicles cool, avoiding hot baths, tight clothing, quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption to improve sperm DNA quality, and eat foods rich in zinc and Omega-3.

FACILITIES IN HOSPITALS (FERTILITY & PREGNANCY CARE)

Infertility & Reproductive Care
Fertility assessments and ovulation induction
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART): IVF, IUI, ICSI
Advanced techniques: Laser Assisted Hatching (LAH), Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy
Fertility preservation: egg, sperm, and embryo freezing
Male infertility care: semen analysis, advanced sperm function tests, surgical sperm aspiration (TESA/MESA), erectile dysfunction treatment, varicocele repair
Laparoscopic surgeries for fibroids, ovarian cysts, and other reproductive conditions
Specialized Pregnancy & Maternity Care Department
Comprehensive care from conception to delivery
High-risk pregnancy management (gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, etc.)
Foetal medicine and prenatal screenings
Standard maternity facilities for normal and C-section deliveries
Modern Neonatal & Child Care department
24/7 Level III Neonatal ICU (NICU) for premature or critically ill newborns
Holistic & Support Services
In-house nutritionists and genetic counsellors
Mental health support for fertility and pregnancy journeys
Diagnostics & Imaging facilities
Advanced imaging and pathology facilities for prenatal and fertility-related screenings

Summary: In Kolkata some big hospitals with specialized facilities and departments for complicated pregnancy and conceiving cases have a full spectrum of fertility, pregnancy, and neonatal care from advanced reproductive technologies and male/female infertility treatments to high-risk pregnancy management, NICU support, and holistic counselling services. Connect to Desun Hospital, a JCI and NABH accredited hospital with just not mother and childbirth facilities but a full spectrum of modern healthcare facilities under one roof help patients with a 360 degrees healthcare facility that may be required pre and post pregnancy cases for mother and child.

Expert Opinion:- “At Desun Hospital, we believe infertility treatment should focus not only on conception, but also on ensuring a safe pregnancy journey and healthy motherhood. With advanced fertility treatments, experienced specialists, modern diagnostic support, and critical neonatal care facilities under one roof, we aim to provide couples with comprehensive support at every stage of parenthood.”

— Dr. Sudip Basu

Consultant Gynaecologist and Subfertility Specialist Desun Hospital, Kolkata

DESUN HOSPITAL FACILITIES – INFERTILITY TREATMENT AND COMPLICATED PREGNANCY AND IVF

Desun Hospital in Kolkata provides a specialized, end-to-end ecosystem for couples struggling with infertility or facing high-risk pregnancies. Their facilities integrate advanced Infertility and IVF services with a top-tier neonatal care unit, making it a "one-roof" solution for difficult journeys.

Fertility & Assisted Reproduction (ART)

Desun offers a dedicated unit for both male and female infertility, focusing on ethical practices and state-of-the-art lab infrastructure.

Core Procedures: Provides standard IVF, IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), and ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) for male-factor infertility.
Advanced Lab Tech: Facilities for Blastocyst Culture and Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) to improve implantation success.
Surgical Support: Expert surgeons perform laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling for PCOS and Hysteroscopic Cannulation to clear tubal blocks.
Specialized Diagnostics: In-house hormonal profiles, HSG tests for tube patency, and detailed semen analysis.

Management of Challenging Pregnancies

Desun is uniquely equipped for "challenging" cases because it is a multispeciality hospital with 24/7 emergency support.

High-Risk Pregnancy Unit: Manages complications like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm labor.
Parental Skills Clinic: Kolkata’s first dedicated clinic providing multidisciplinary support (gynaecologists, psychologists, and nutritionists) from the first trimester.
Foetal Medicine: Advanced ultrasound and genetic screenings to monitor the health of the unborn baby.

Critical Backup: Level3 NICU

For couples who conceive via IVF or have high-risk pregnancies, the availability of a Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is critical.

Advanced Life Support: Equipped with high-frequency ventilators and nitric oxide therapy for premature babies as early as 29–34 weeks.
24/7 Emergency Delivery: Two dedicated floors with state-of-the-art OTs for complex C-sections and emergency maternity care.