Reproductive health
Medicines for Male infertility
Difficulty fathering a child due to factors affecting sperm or the male reproductive system — a common contributor to couples' fertility problems, with several treatable causes.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Male infertility?
Male-factor infertility contributes to a large proportion of couples' difficulties conceiving, either alone or alongside female factors. It usually relates to problems with sperm — a low number, poor movement, or abnormal shape — or with producing or delivering sperm.
- How it is treated: Assessment includes a history and examination, a semen analysis (often repeated), and, depending on the results, hormone tests, genetic tests or imaging.
- Self-care: A healthy weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol, avoiding recreational drugs and anabolic steroids, avoiding excessive heat to the testicles, and managing general health all support sperm quality.
- When to seek help: See a GP if you and your partner have not conceived after a year of regular unprotected sex (or sooner if there are known concerns), for assessment of both partners, including a semen analysis.
What it is
Male-factor infertility contributes to a large proportion of couples' difficulties conceiving, either alone or alongside female factors. It usually relates to problems with sperm — a low number, poor movement, or abnormal shape — or with producing or delivering sperm. Causes include problems with sperm production (which can be linked to hormonal issues, genetic conditions, undescended testicles in childhood, or damage from infection, heat or certain treatments), blockages that prevent sperm being released, a varicocele (enlarged scrotal veins), and lifestyle and general health factors. Often no clear cause is found. Because fertility is a shared matter, assessment involves both partners. A key test is a semen analysis, which examines the number, movement and shape of sperm.
How it is treated
Assessment includes a history and examination, a semen analysis (often repeated), and, depending on the results, hormone tests, genetic tests or imaging. Treatment depends on the cause: some causes are treatable — for example correcting a hormonal problem, treating a blockage, or in some cases a varicocele — while lifestyle improvements can help sperm quality. Where sperm quality or delivery cannot be sufficiently improved, assisted conception techniques are often very effective, including IVF and a technique that injects a single sperm into an egg (ICSI), and sperm can sometimes be retrieved surgically. General health measures — a healthy weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol, avoiding excess heat and certain drugs — support sperm health. Emotional support is important, and care is guided by a fertility service, sometimes with a urologist.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Male infertility
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
A healthy weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol, avoiding recreational drugs and anabolic steroids, avoiding excessive heat to the testicles, and managing general health all support sperm quality. Seeking timely assessment as a couple helps.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a GP if you and your partner have not conceived after a year of regular unprotected sex (or sooner if there are known concerns), for assessment of both partners, including a semen analysis.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Male infertility: frequently asked questions
How common is male-factor infertility?
It contributes to a large proportion of couples' fertility difficulties — around a third of cases involve male factors, alone or alongside female factors. This is why both partners are assessed.
Can male infertility be treated?
Some causes are treatable (such as hormonal problems or blockages), and lifestyle improvements can help sperm quality. Where needed, assisted conception techniques such as IVF and ICSI are often very effective.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CG156 — Fertility problems
- NHS — Infertility
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