It is constantly evolving and especially in recent years it has experienced revolutionary developments. A landmark was the birth of Dolly, the clone lamb, in 1996 at the Rosslyn Institute in Edinburgh, marking the beginning of genetic modification and cloning using high technology.

The methods used are conservative, pharmaceutical and surgical, in order to contribute to the treatment of couples facing the problem of infertility. In fact, the scientific community places great importance on male fertility, recognizing that it can be significantly affected by various gender-related factors.

What is defined as infertility?

According to the World Health Organization, infertility in a couple is defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of free and normal systemic contacts. “While in the past it was mainly the woman who was to blame for infertility in a couple, today we now know that the man’s involvement is just as important. About 45-50% of a couple’s fertility depends on the man. This underlines the importance of controlling the male factor in an infertile couple,” emphasizes Mr. Konstantinos Karamanis, Director of Urology, Metropolitan Hospital.

What factors can affect male fertility?

Factors that can affect male fertility include lifestyle, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, working at high temperatures, exposure to organic solvents, and environmental factors.

“However, the majority of male fertility problems are organic in origin and relate to sperm production, quality and transit. Diseases such as varicocele, prostatitis and testicular inflammations affect the number, morphology and motility of spermatozoa.

In addition, endocrine diseases, genetic abnormalities and chromosomal disorders can also affect sperm production and quality. Operations in the area of ​​the prostate, urethra and the presence of cancerous tumors in the testicles, prostate and bladder can cause blockage of the seminiferous tubules and prevent the passage of normal sperm.

Neurological disorders and the taking of psychotropic drugs can affect sexual function and cause inability to ejaculate, erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems, resulting in difficulty in fertilization,” the expert points out.

How is male fertility tested?

The control of male fertility begins with the history and clinical examination of the man, to determine the factors that affect it, such as smoking, alcohol, exposure to high temperatures, diabetes mellitus, and even spinal diseases can affect erection and ejaculation.

Semen, blood tests and ultrasounds provide information on the quality of the sperm, any underlying endocrine diseases, the presence of inflammation or even blockage. The screening can be continued with more specialized tests, to highlight more complex problems, such as chromosomal abnormalities, neurological diseases, and even malignancies.

What are varicocele and prostatitis and how do they affect male fertility?

“The most common and reversible diseases affecting sperm quality are varicocele in 40% and prostatitis in 25%.

A varicocele is the swelling of the spermatic veins around the testicle. It causes a feeling of heaviness, pain in the testicle and an increase in temperature in the scrotum.

This negatively affects sperm count and morphology. Varicose vein correction can be done in several ways, with surgery being the fastest and most effective. It is a simple operation, which does not require a stay in the hospital and results in a significant improvement of the sperm.

Accordingly, prostatitis is usually due to the presence of microbes in the prostate. It causes dysuric disturbances, pain in the prostate area and during ejaculation, as well as a decrease in the number and mobility of spermatozoa. After being preceded by a culture of the prostatic secretion to identify the microbe, it is followed by its treatment with long-term antibiotic treatment. This has the effect of improving the symptoms as well as the quality of the sperm.

It is vital to inform the public about the causes and treatment of infertility and to emphasize the importance of the examination and the man in infertile couples”, concludes Mr. Karamanis

The Metropolitan Hospital has an advanced Urology Clinic, which is fully equipped and follows high standards of operation. It has qualified scientific and nursing staff, as well as advanced medical equipment. This allows the clinic to provide all the necessary services for the diagnosis, treatment and surgical management of its patients, regardless of the nature of the urological condition they are dealing with. The specialized and trained medical and nursing team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide the best possible care and support to each patient, whether it is an emergency or a chronic condition of the genitourinary system.