Can I become a mother if my partner is infertile?
 

When couples face infertility, it’s common to assume the issue lies with the woman. However, in many cases the cause is male factor. If your partner has been diagnosed as sterile or infertile, you’re not alone: reproductive medicine offers effective solutions to help you become a mother.

How can I tell if my partner is sterile or infertile?

First, it’s important to understand the difference between infertility and sterility. Depending on your partner’s degree of infertility, eligibility for assisted reproduction treatments will vary. To determine whether your partner is sterile or has some degree of infertility, you can look into fertility testing.

Before discussing treatments, distinguish two key concepts:

• Male sterility: a total absence of sperm in the ejaculate (azoospermia).

• Male infertility: sperm are present but of poor quality (low concentration, motility, or morphology).

To determine your partner’s situation, a semen analysis (seminogram) is performed and, if needed, additional hormonal, genetic, or testicular evaluations.

Is it possible to become a mother if my partner is infertile?

Yes, it is possible to become a mother if your male partner is infertile. In situations where the man is completely unable to produce sperm, there is one main method available.

Treatment to become a mother if your partner is completely infertile

• Artificial insemination with donor sperm: If your partner has been diagnosed with complete infertility, the most viable option is to use donor sperm to fertilise your eggs. This will allow you to have a child who is biologically related to you, although they will not share your male partner's genes.

It is important to contact a fertility clinic to explore the methods that best suit your situation and needs and those of your partner. At Fertility Madrid, we know that every situation is unique, and our team of reproductive health experts will be able to provide you with the right guidance to make the best decision.

Treatments for becoming a mother if your partner is infertile but not sterile

If, on the other hand, your partner suffers from poor semen quality, where both the motility and quantity of sperm as well as their morphology and vitality are affected, there will be complications when it comes to fertilising an egg, but there will be more options for assisted reproduction methods.

• IVF ICSI with PGD: This technique is available to facilitate fertilisation of the egg by the sperm and is a widely used method of artificial insemination today due to its safety and effectiveness. To reduce the difficulties of pregnancy caused by male infertility, the sperm is injected directly into the egg to stimulate fertilisation.

• Sperm selection: In vitro fertilisation laboratories can use different methods to select the sperm that are most likely to fertilise an egg. One example is the MACS technique, where strong sperm are selected and weak ones are discarded. The PICSI technique also selects the sperm that are considered most suitable for fertilising an egg based on their degree of maturity. Sperm analysis identifies the highest quality sperm based on their morphology, among other factors.

• TESE and MESE techniques: TESE and MESE techniques involve puncturing and biopsying testicular tissue to obtain the highest quality sperm directly from the testicle, thereby increasing the chances of fertility without losing sperm in ejaculation.

In any case, the good news is that there are many treatments that can help you achieve pregnancy even in delicate situations such as this. If you would like to know which one is best for you, please contact our clinic and we will be happy to help you.

In summary: What options do I have?

Frequently asked questions about becoming a mother if my partner is infertile

My partner is infertile. Can I have a child with him?

If there is no viable sperm, the only option is to use donor sperm. Even so, pregnancy is possible and you will be the sole mother.

Can an infertile man get a woman pregnant?

No, if he is completely infertile (no sperm). However, he can become a father with donor sperm or, in some cases, if testicular sperm is recovered.

What is the difference between infertility and sterility?

Infertility means a low probability of fertilisation, but with sperm present. Sterility means a total absence of sperm.

What treatment is most effective in cases of male infertility?

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) with ICSI and specialised laboratory techniques (such as MACS or PICSI) offer high success rates in cases of male infertility.

Do you have any questions or need more information?

At Fertility Madrid, we specialise in treatments such as egg donation, in vitro fertilisation and artificial insemination, among others.

Please do not hesitate to contact our professionals at our fertility clinic and they will answer all your questions without obligation.

Óscar Oviedo

Director Médico