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MALE infertility accounts for nearly half of the causes of couples’ difficulty in conceiving, but the issue continues to receive limited attention and is frequently misunderstood as a women’s health problem, an expert said.
Medical officer at the Subfertility Specialist Centre of the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), Dr Ahmad Zaki Asraf, said that in many societies, women are often blamed when a couple fails to conceive, despite men playing an equally significant role.
“In society, when a couple fails to conceive, women are often blamed, whereas the reality is that men also play a major role in this issue.
“Based on international data from the World Health Organization (WHO), male factors contribute about 45 per cent to couples’ fertility problems,” he said while appearing as a guest on Bernama TV’s Podcast Kasih Lensa Keluarga programme titled Lelaki Sihat Luar Dalam.
Dr Ahmad Zaki explained that male fertility problems generally fall into two main components: sexual function and sperm quality, with sperm-related factors being the most significant contributor.
He said sperm analyses conducted at LPPKN showed that approximately 60 per cent of male sperm samples were abnormal, involving three key parameters: sperm count, motility and morphology.
“A healthy sperm count should exceed 15 million per millilitre, progressive motility should be more than 32 per cent and at least four per cent should have a normal shape,” he said.
Failure to meet any of these criteria, he added, could reduce the chances of natural conception even when sexual intercourse occurs normally.
On the causes of poor sperm quality, Dr Ahmad Zaki said lifestyle factors were among the most significant and modifiable contributors, including obesity, smoking and exposure to cigarette smoke.
He explained that excessive weight gain could lead to hormonal imbalances in men, where testosterone is converted into oestrogen, thereby affecting sperm production.
“Smoking not only affects the lungs, but the chemicals in cigarette smoke can enter the bloodstream and impair the function of reproductive organs,” he said.
Beyond sperm-related issues, Dr Ahmad Zaki noted that some men also experience sexual disorders such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, which can prevent sperm from reaching the ovum even if sperm quality is normal.
He cited national health survey findings showing that about three in 10 men in Malaysia experience erectile dysfunction, including younger men aged between 20 and 35.
According to him, psychological factors, unhealthy habits, consumption of pornographic material and unrealistic sexual expectations have been identified as key contributors to the rising incidence of such problems among younger men.
In light of this, Dr Ahmad Zaki stressed the importance of early health screening and timely treatment, including seeking professional medical advice.
To address these issues, he said LPPKN has established Men’s Wellness Clinics that offer health screenings, counselling and face-to-face treatment sessions to help men manage fertility and sexual health concerns holistically.
“Men also have their own emotions and pressures. When given a safe space to talk, many of them actually want to seek help,” he said. - December 25, 2025
