Male Infertility

Male infertility refers to a man’s inability to contribute to conception after a period of regular, unprotected sex — typically 12 months, or 6 months if the female partner is over 35. It can be due to issues like low sperm count, poor motility (movement), abnormal morphology (shape), or problems with sperm delivery. 

It’s surprisingly common — male factor infertility plays a role in around 50% of couples struggling to conceive. That’s why we recommend both partners get assessed early on. 

Thankfully, there are a range of treatment options. In some cases, simple lifestyle changes can improve sperm quality. Depending on the individual situation, assisted reproductive techniques such as IUI (intrauterine insemination) or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) can offer excellent chances of success. 

Male infertility can stem from a variety of factors — some medical, some lifestyle-related. The most common causes include: 

• Low sperm count 

• Poor sperm motility (how well sperm move) 

• Abnormal sperm morphology (shape and structure) 

• Hormonal imbalances 

• Varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum) 

• Infections or past STIs 

• Genetic conditions 

• Blockages or issues with sperm transport 

• Sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction or problems with ejaculation 

• Lifestyle factors, including smoking, alcohol, obesity, stress, heat exposure, and certain medications 

In some cases, no clear cause is found — this is called idiopathic infertility. A detailed assessment can often help pinpoint the issue and guide us toward the right treatment options. 

Diagnosing male infertility usually starts with a simple semen analysis — a test that checks sperm count, motility (movement), morphology (shape), and volume. It gives us a snapshot of your fertility potential. 

Depending on the results, we may recommend further testing, such as: 

• Hormone blood tests (to check testosterone and other key hormones) 

• Scrotal ultrasound (to look for varicoceles or blockages) 

• Genetic testing, in some cases 

• Physical examination and medical history review 

• Specialist tests for sperm DNA fragmentation or antisperm antibodies 

• Assessment of sexual function, if relevant 

The process is discreet and tailored to each individual. Understanding the cause helps us plan the most effective treatment — whether that’s lifestyle support, medications, or assisted reproductive options like IUI or IVF with ICSI. 

There are a range of effective treatments for male infertility, depending on the cause. These can include: 

• Lifestyle changes – Quitting smoking, reducing alcohol, improving diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress can all help. 

• Medications or hormone therapy – To address hormone imbalances or specific conditions. 

• Surgery – Such as varicocele repair or sperm retrieval procedures like micro-TESE (used when no sperm are present in the ejaculate). 

• Assisted reproductive technologies – Including IUI (intrauterine insemination) and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg. 

At Dr Daniel Lantsberg’s clinic, we take a personalised and compassionate approach. Through Melbourne IVF, we offer access to world-class diagnostics, advanced lab technology, and collaborative care with expert urologists. Whether it’s optimising natural fertility or exploring assisted options, we’ll guide you every step of the way. 

Not always. IVF is just one of several options — and in many cases, it’s not the first step. 

Some men see improvements with simple lifestyle changes, supplements, or treatment of underlying issues like hormone imbalances or varicoceles. In milder cases of male factor infertility, IUI (intrauterine insemination) may be enough to achieve pregnancy. 

IVF with ICSI (where a single sperm is injected into the egg) is usually considered when sperm counts are very low, motility is poor, or after other options haven’t been successful. 

At Dr Daniel Lantsberg’s clinic, we always aim to find the least invasive and most effective approach first — and tailor treatment to what works best for you and your partner. 

While not all causes of male infertility are preventable — especially those linked to genetics or medical conditions — there are steps men can take to protect and improve their fertility. 

Some helpful habits include: 

• Avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol, and recreational drugs 

• Maintaining a healthy weight and balanced diet 

• Exercising regularly 

• Managing stress and sleep 

• Avoiding prolonged heat exposure (like hot baths, saunas, or laptops on the lap) 

• Protecting against STIs with safe sex practices 

• Avoiding exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides, solvents, or radiation 

Early assessment is key. At Dr Daniel Lantsberg’s clinic, we offer fertility checks for men who are planning ahead, trying to conceive, or just want to understand their reproductive health better. Taking action early can make a big difference. 

If you’ve been trying to conceive for 12 months without success (or 6 months if the female partner is over 35), it’s a good idea to seek advice from a fertility specialist. 

You should also consider getting help sooner if there are known issues — like irregular periods, a history of miscarriage, endometriosis, PCOS, or concerns about sperm health, sexual function, or prior medical treatments (like chemotherapy or testicular surgery). 

At Dr Daniel Lantsberg’s clinic, we offer thorough fertility assessments for both partners, with a focus on identifying the cause early and creating a personalised, evidence-based plan to help you move forward confidently. 

Yes — in some cases, sperm can still be found and retrieved directly from the testicles using procedures like micro-TESE. This sperm can then be used for IVF with ICSI. We offer this service at Dr Daniel Lantsberg’s clinic through our partnership with expert urologists and Melbourne IVF. 

ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is a technique where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg. It’s often used in cases of low sperm count, poor motility, or when sperm are surgically retrieved. ICSI has revolutionised the treatment of male infertility and offers high fertilisation success rates. 

Quitting smoking, reducing alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding prolonged heat exposure (like saunas or hot baths) can all help. At Dr Daniel Lantsberg’s clinic, we support patients with practical strategies to optimise natural fertility where possible. 

Yes — while men can remain fertile into later life, sperm quality tends to decline gradually after age 40–45. This may affect time to pregnancy and increase risks of miscarriage or certain conditions. That’s why early assessment and planning can be beneficial. 

Sperm DNA fragmentation can impact embryo development and pregnancy outcomes. It’s not part of routine testing, but may be recommended in certain situations — such as recurrent miscarriage, unexplained infertility, or poor embryo development in IVF. 

Yes, sperm quality can play a role in miscarriage — especially when there are high levels of DNA fragmentation in the sperm. While many miscarriages are due to chromosomal issues in the egg or embryo, emerging research suggests that sperm health can also affect embryo development and increase the risk of early pregnancy loss. 

At Dr Daniel Lantsberg’s clinic, we may recommend a sperm DNA fragmentation test if there’s a history of miscarriage.  

If there’s been one miscarriage, routine sperm testing may not be needed. But if there’s been recurrent miscarriage or difficulty conceiving, it’s worth assessing both partners — including a semen analysis and sometimes sperm DNA fragmentation testing. 

At my clinic, we take a holistic approach to fertility and miscarriage care, making sure nothing is overlooked — and supporting you with a personalised plan moving forward. 

High sperm DNA fragmentation can impact embryo quality, implantation, and increase the risk of miscarriage. But the good news is — there are ways to improve it. 

Treatment options include: 

• Lifestyle changes – Quitting smoking, reducing alcohol, managing weight, improving sleep, and reducing stress can all help. 

• Antioxidant supplements – Supplements like CoQ10, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium may reduce oxidative stress and improve sperm quality. 

• Treating varicoceles – If a varicocele is found, surgical repair may improve DNA integrity. 

• Avoiding heat and toxins – Steer clear of hot baths, saunas, laptops on laps, and environmental exposures. 

• Timed abstinence – Shortening the interval between ejaculations may help reduce DNA damage. 

• Sperm selection techniques in IVF – Methods like Microfluidic devices (e.g. Zymote) may help in selecting sperm with lower DNA damage. 

• Surgical sperm retrieval (e.g. TESA) – In some cases, testicular sperm may have less DNA fragmentation than ejaculated sperm and can be used for ICSI. 

At Dr Daniel Lantsberg’s clinic, we assess your individual situation and guide you through the best evidence-based strategies — often combining lifestyle, supplements, and advanced lab techniques through Melbourne IVF.