Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
Up to 50% of infertiliy in couples are due to the male infertility factor whether in part or solely. Most times , men do not seeek treatment or even investigate their role in infertility. The eveidence for infertility in men is more limited than the studies on female infertility. In this post , you will discover the factors that affect male fertility
IS THE SEMEN CONSIDERED?
Male infertility is most oftern caused by deficiences in semen which includes low sperm count, motility of the sperm, morphology of sperm . A sperm count is simply the number of micropscopic sperm present in the ejaculatory fluid.
In the early days say 1940s, the average sperm countof men was 113 million sperm per milliliter. Surprisingly, the average male sperm count after 2000 has continued to decrease by 2.64% annually. This decrease is as a result of the following medical conditions
- Azoospermia
- Oligozoospermia
- Asthenozoospermia
- Teratozoospermia
The cause of the significant drop in sperm concentration is largely unknown, but there are risk factors, modifiable and non-modifiable, that can impact sperm health.
Below are the modifiable risk factors that cause infertility in men
- Exposure to environmental toxins
- Oxidative damage
- Obesity
- Increased soy food intake
- Lifestyle Changes
EXPOSURE TO ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS
These includes pesticides/herbicides, heavy metals, air and noise pollution, non-ionizing radiation, radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation from laptops and cellphones etc can also be toxic.
OXIDATIVE DAMAGE
An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants within the body. These free radicals can cause damage by reacting with other molecules within the bodyand can easily damage sperm
INCREASED SOY FOOD INTAKE
Some studies have shown that increased soy food intake is related to lower sperm count concentration. Soy is an additive in many foods.
OBESITY
This can result in decreased sperm motility and altered structure due to hormonal changes . Obesity can also have co -occurring conditions like diabetes and heart disease that can have consequences on fertility as well.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
This includes reducing environmental toxin exposure, adopting a nutritious diet, beginning a moderate exercise program, reducing alcohol intake, and smoking cessation . if you are struggling with infertility , then these should be recommended
OTHER CAUSES OF MALE INFERTILITY
Other causes includes the following below
- Medication
- Structural disorders
- Klinefelter syndrome
- undescended test
- Age
WHEN TO SEEK HELP
A successful conception by the female starts with healthy sperm which moves through the cervix and goes to fallopian tube to an awaiting female esgg. Hovever a physician will perform a general physical exammination of the genitals and a health history uestions concerning lifestyle choices, certain risk factors, and sexual history, current and past, may also be discussed. Specific fertility tests may include:
