40–50%
Of infertility cases involve a male factor
3–5 yrs
Longer men wait vs women before getting tested
15 min
Is all a semen analysis takes — the single most important male fertility test

The Reality India Avoids Talking About

When a couple cannot conceive, Indian culture — and unfortunately, much of the medical system — defaults to investigating the woman first. She undergoes blood tests, ultrasounds, and sometimes surgery before anyone thinks to check the man.

This approach is not just unfair. It is medically inefficient. Clinical data consistently shows that male factors — poor sperm count, motility, or morphology — contribute to infertility in 40–50% of cases. In another 20–30% of cases, both partners have contributing factors.

Dr. Juneja's Approach

In my clinic, both partners are assessed simultaneously from the first appointment. There is no point putting a woman through months of investigation if the answer is a simple semen analysis away. And there is certainly no justification for a woman undergoing IVF when IUI — or even natural conception — might succeed once the male factor is identified and addressed.

What Causes Male Infertility?

  • Low sperm count (oligospermia) — fewer than 16 million sperm per millilitre
  • Poor motility (asthenospermia) — sperm that cannot swim effectively to reach the egg
  • Abnormal morphology (teratospermia) — sperm with structural abnormalities
  • Azoospermia — no sperm in the ejaculate at all (affects about 1% of men)
  • Varicocele — enlarged veins in the scrotum that raise testicular temperature and damage sperm
  • Hormonal imbalances — low testosterone or elevated FSH
  • Lifestyle factors — heat exposure, smoking, alcohol, obesity, chronic stress, anabolic steroids
  • Environmental factors — endocrine-disrupting chemicals, air pollution
  • Previous infections — mumps orchitis, STIs

What Is a Semen Analysis and Why Does It Matter?

A semen analysis is a simple, non-invasive test that evaluates sperm count, motility, morphology, and volume. It takes a single sample, results come back within 24–48 hours, and it costs a fraction of any female fertility investigation.

Every couple who has been trying to conceive for more than 3 months should have a semen analysis done. It is the single most important first step for a man, and it should happen at the same time as the woman's initial investigations — not after months of female-only workup.

Can Male Infertility Be Treated?

Yes — in many cases, very effectively. Treatment depends on the underlying cause:

  • Lifestyle changes — weight loss, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol, avoiding heat, managing stress — can meaningfully improve sperm parameters within 3 months
  • Varicocele repair — surgical correction can improve sperm count and motility significantly
  • Hormonal treatment — for men with hormonal imbalances driving poor sperm production
  • ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) — even with very few viable sperm, ICSI can achieve fertilisation by injecting a single sperm directly into an egg
  • Surgical sperm retrieval — for men with azoospermia, sperm can often be retrieved directly from the testis (TESA/PESA)
"Infertility is never 'the woman's problem.' It is always a couple's issue — and it deserves a couple's investigation from day one."

Addressing the Stigma

In India, male infertility carries an unfair social stigma that prevents men from getting tested until significant time has been lost. A semen analysis result does not reflect masculinity or virility — it reflects biology, which is treatable. The earlier it is identified, the better the outcomes for the couple.

If you are struggling to conceive, bring your partner to your first appointment at Petals Clinic. Both of you will be evaluated, and a plan will be made based on the complete picture.