Health Tip: Common Causes of Male Infertility

Mar. 23 -- (HealthDay News) -- Infertility -- defined by the American Academy of Family Physicians as the inability of a couple to become pregnant after one year of trying -- affects about 15 percent of the population.

The academy offers this list of common causes of male infertility:

• The most common cause is varicocele, when the veins in the scrotum become enlarged. This can affect sperm production by heating the inside of the scrotum.
• A blockage in the reproductive system.
• Low sperm count.
• Abnormally shaped sperm, or sperm that move abnormally.
• An undescended testicle.
• Certain medications.
• Another medical problem.