It is hard to believe and harder to accept that a couple can be childless due to the male too. At least this was the problem that Anand (name changed on request) was facing about five years ago. An obese Anand was married eight years ago. Having tried for a child, his wife and he took the spiritual route to parenthood. When prayers remained unanswered, his wife got herself tested. The doctors gave a clear green signal.

A sceptic Anand underwent tests too and it turned out that he was infertile. “I could not believe what the doctor said. So we went for a second opinion. This time we visited a specialist in Chennai. The results were the same. We could not become parents because the fault was with me,” Anand says. Having undergone treatment in Chennai, Anand’s infertility was cured and the couple now has a baby. Anand’s weight is under control and he has given up tobacco.

An IT professional, Anand admits having to deal with stress almost everyday. Plus, the nature of his job required him to sit in one place which resulted in a very sedentary lifestyle. This worsened his weight issues. “I remember my friend’s making fun of me stating that I am growing fat and old too fast. I would laugh it off saying that they were all signs of prosperity. However, when I realized what the real problem was, I cooperated with the doctor and my family,” Anand says.

Dr. R. Balamurgan, Coimbatore-based urologist and founder of Maruthi Hospital and Riya Fertility Centre, says that men find it hard to accept that they could be responsible for childlessness. He runs this centre with his wife, Dr. Navitha Balamurgan. The husband-wife duo offers treatment for couples who wish to be parents under one roof. “Initially, cases of male infertility were undiagnosed. Thanks to media, the awareness among people has spread and men too are coming forward and getting tested and treated. In Coimbatore, out of 10 cases of childlessness, at least five are due to male infertilily,” Dr. Balamurgan says.

This doctor adds that when diagnosed, male infertility can be treated and the couple can become parents. There are various tests to detect male infertility. Diagnosis can include blood tests, sperm sample, analysing the medical history, physical examination, and testing the semen. When doctors suspect testicular dysgenesis, it is recommended that the patient undergo ultrasonography of the scrotum. Depending on the severity of the male infertility, treatments like hormonal therapy, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), or a combination of IVF and Intracytoplasmatic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is recommended by the doctor.

Dr. Edwin Joe, Dean of Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), says “Men should have a disciplined life. It is advised that men stay away from any form of tobacco. They must watch what they eat and their weight too.” He adds that a majority of diseases and disorders are due to lifestyle changes.