Male Reproductive System

The male reproductive system is less complex than that of the female and the organs that are a part of this system lie chiefly outside the body. If we group the organs by the function they perform, they can be divided as:

• Gonads: These produce the gamete, (sperm) that is responsible for the process of fertilization, and the male sex hormones that is testosterone
• Ducts: These store and transport the sperm
• Accessory sex glands: These produce biological substances that provide nutrition, protect and facilitate the movement of the sperm, and finally

Supporting structures: The penis which lies outside and is responsible for the delivery of the sperms

The organs that form the male reproductive system are:

• The testes
• A system of ducts that include epididymis, duct deferens, ejaculatory ducts and urethra
• Accessory sex glands that include seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral glands; and
• Several supporting structures that include the scrotum and the penis

The testes are responsible for the formation of sperms and the male sex hormone, testosterone. The process of the formation of sperms is referred to as spermatogenesis. It can only occur in cooler temperatures and not the normal human body temperature. This is the reason that the testes descend in each scrotal sac which lies outside the body. The temperature here is several degrees less than the body temperature. The scrotum has a midline septum which provides a compartment for each testis.

Male Reproductive Issues include:

• Prostate cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Enlarged prostate or BPH
• Prostatitis
• Erectile dysfunction (problems in maintaining erection)
• Male infertility
• Testosterone deficiency
• Undescended testicle
• Varicocele(dilated vein in the spermatic cord)
• Hydrocele (fluid filled in the testicle)

Signs and symptoms include:

• Problems with sexual function — for example, difficulty in ejaculation or having very low volumes of ejaculate
• Decreased libido (reduced sexual desire) or difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• Pain, swelling or a lump in the testicle area
• Recurrent respiratory infections
• Anosmia (Inability to smell)
• Abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia)
• Decreased facial or body hair or other signs of a chromosomal or hormonal abnormality
• Oligospermia (lower sperm count)

Andrology is the medical specialty that deals with male health, particularly relating to the problems of themale reproductive system and urological problems that are unique to men. Urologist usually treats male sexual disorders or a sexologist does that.

It is advisable to see a doctor if one has been unable to conceive a child after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse or sooner if one has any of the following:

• Erection or ejaculation problems, decreased libido (reduced sexual drive), or other problems associated with sexual function
• Pain, discomfort, a lump or swelling in the testicle area
• A history of testicle, prostate or sexual problems
• groin, testicle, penis or scrotum surgery

The causes for male infertility are:

• Varicocele which is a dilated vein in the spermatic cord
• Infection
• Ejaculation issues. One of the most common ejaculation issues is retrograde ejaculation where the ejaculate goes into the bladder rather than coming out. Some of the coexisting conditions that can cause retrograde ejaculation are diabetes, damage to the nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, surgery of the male reproductive organs like prostate, testicles, colon, rectum, bladder or lower spine, some medications like those used for enlarged prostate, antidepressants and antipsychotics
• Sperm antibodies
• Cancer of the reproductive organs like the prostate, testes, etc.
• Undescended testicles
• Hormone imbalances
• Defects of tubules that transport sperm. 
• Chromosome defects. 
• Problems with sexual intercourse
• Celiac disease is a digestive disorder caused by sensitivity to gluten, celiac disease can cause male infertility. Fertility may improve after adopting a gluten-free diet.

Environmental causes: Specific causes include:

• Industrial chemicals. .
• Heavy metal exposure. 
• Radiation or X-rays. 
• Health, lifestyle and other causes

Some other causes of male infertility include smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, emotional stress, and lifestyle problems

Risk factors linked to male infertility include:

• Smoking or alcohol consumption
• Illicit drug use
• obesity
• mental problems like depression or over stress
• infections
• exposure to toxins
• increased temperature of testicles
• trauma to the testicles
• prior surgeries like vasectomy
• cryptorchidism (undescended testicles)
• Being born with a fertility disorder or having a blood relative with a fertility disorder
• Certain medical conditions like sickle cell disease
• Cancer treatments like radiation or chemotherapy

Male menopause is a condition that affects older men. It carries a set of symptoms that are linked to declining testosterone levels and aging. It is also referred to as andropause, androgen decline in the aging male, late onset hypogonadism and low testosterone.

If testosterone levels are low, hormone replacement therapy may help relieve symptoms, such as decreased libido (reduced sexual desire), depression, and fatigue.If testosterone levels are low, testosterone replacement therapy may help relieve such symptoms as loss of interest in sex (decreased libido), depression, and fatigue.