Women have long been the ones who have been thought of as the cause of any infertility problem. This has been proven to be very untrue, as men are responsible for anywhere from 40% to 50% of the infertility issues that plague couples. If a couple tries to conceive and they are not able, then it will likely be the woman who will seek help for infertility and whatever the cause may be.

However, medical science is now aware that men are just as likely as women to be the cause of any infertility issues that come about. Now that we know this, it makes it easier to get right down to treatment instead of assigning blame.

There are many explanations for male infertility. They can be anything from lifestyle and family history to medical issues or testicular injuries. Some common problems associated with male fertility are hypogonadism and varicocele or azoopermia, which can typically be treated depending on the severity. Studies show males who smoke cigarettes or marijuana or consume large amounts of alcohol tend to have reduced sperm counts and a lower quality of sperm.

Another study suggests that males who have taken certain antidepressant drugs had lower sperm counts as well. There are also other studies that have linked obesity with reduced or lower sperm counts. Issues with family history can also cause infertility.

Yet another family related cause may be the use of certain medicines or drugs by the effected male's mother during her pregnancy with him. Some studies point towards environmental exposures, such as radiation exposure or excessive heat, as playing a role in reproductive health.

If corrections are needed, then the good news is that there are many surgical procedures and medications available to help with complications of infertility and trying to conceive. The male partner will usually be examined by a specialist and/or a urologist as well.

The doctor will want to test the quality of the man's sperm to determine the sperm count and the rate of mobility. If there is some sort of a blockage, then that has a good chance of it being treated and fixed. In the case where sperm is not abundant in the semen, the doctor can actually go into the tubes and retrieve sperm through a medical procedure. There are other causes as well, but most can be solved with the use of fertility drugs.

As a society, we are becoming more and more aware of infertility and the causes, as well as more options for treatment. This is also taking the burden off of the woman and the assumption that she is the responsible partner when it comes to fertility and pregnancy. In about half of all cases, the problem lies within the male partner, allowing the couples to seek and therefore find the issue of infertility earlier.

Partners are now confronting the problem as a couple, rather than the woman taking responsibility. This is leading to a quicker diagnoses and less emotional distress, not to mention allowing the couple to get pregnant and conceive quicker.