How to Prevent Infertility in Males?

Introduction

Infertility is the inability of a couple to conceive even after frequent sexual intercourse. Male infertility is a common issue nowadays. Subfertility (reduced fertility) in males is on the rise. A number of environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and habits are adding to the biological factors responsible for rising cases of infertility. A percentage of infertility or subfertility can be obviated by avoiding certain habits, situations, and lifestyles. About 15 percent of all couples trying to get pregnant realize they have difficulty in conceiving, despite trying for several months or even years. Problems with the males account for 50 percent of all infertile cases.

What Is Male Infertility?

Infertility is a condition of the reproductive system. Male infertility makes a man incapable of impregnating a fertile female. If a couple has repeated unprotected sex for over a year and the female partner does not get pregnant, then she or the male partner or both of them may have infertility issues. Infertility is a common condition, with more than five million couples dealing with it in the United States. The inability to conceive can be annoying and stressful; nevertheless, many treatment options are available for male infertility.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Male Infertility?

The main sign of infertility in males is the inability to make a fertile female partner pregnant. In some cases, an underlying condition like hormonal imbalance, an inherited disorder, a condition that blocks the passage of sperm, or dilated veins around the testicle can present the associated signs and symptoms. These may include:

• Issues with sexual functions include difficulty with ejaculation, reduced sexual desire, or erectile dysfunction (difficulty maintaining an erection).

• Presence of swelling, pain, or a lump in the testicle area.

• Repeated respiratory infections.

• Inability to smell.

• Decreased body and facial hair or other signs of a hormonal or chromosomal abnormality.

• A lower than normal sperm count.

What Are the Main Causes of Male Infertility?

• The most important male factor contributing to infertility is a problem with the quality of the semen. That is, some men have a low sperm count, some have sperms that do not swim actively and in a forward motion (sperm motility), while in some, the sperms may be in bad shape (sperm morphology).

• There may be problems with the seminal fluid (too viscous, too acidic, and may have an absence or reduced quantities of certain enzymes). The seminal fluid may contain antibodies against its own spermatozoa and infective organisms, etc.

• Another important male factor concerns sperm delivery. This means the inability to have successful vaginal intercourse, faulty coital technique, unfavorable coital position, incorrect timing, too low or too high frequency of intercourse, use of certain lubricants, etc.

• Chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery to remove one or both testicles can impact male fertility.

• Hormonal disorders that affect the hypothalamus and pituitary glands can impact male fertility.

• Overexposure to some environmental substances like heavy metal exposure, radiation, industrial chemicals, or even exposure to elevated temperature may reduce sperm production.

Who Is More Likely to Have Male Infertility?

Some men are more likely to experience infertility if:

• They are obese or overweight.

• They are of age 40 or more.

• They have been exposed to environmental toxins such as lead, pesticides, calcium, and mercury.

• They have been exposed to radiation.

• They are marijuana, tobacco, or alcohol abuser.

• They have a history of undescended testicles.

• They are on medications such as Flutamide, Cimetidine, Cyproterone, Spironolactone, Bicalutamide, or Ketoconazole.

• They have a history of widened veins in the scrotum (varicoceles).

• They have been around the heat that raises the temperature of the testes.

• They have been exposed to testosterone. Some men need implants, injections, and topical gel for low testosterone.

When Should a Male See a Doctor for Infertility?

It is advised that a man should see a doctor if he is unable to conceive a child after one year of frequent, unprotected sexual intercourse or sooner if he has any of the following:

• Pain, swelling, discomfort, or a lump in the testicle area.

• Ejaculation or erection problems, low sex drive, or other sexual function issues.

• A history of prostate, testicle, or sexual problems.

• A testicle, groin, scrotum, or penis surgery.

• A partner aged over 35 years.

How to Diagnose Male Infertility?

The diagnosis of infertility in men starts with a complete physical assessment to ascertain the general state of health and check any physical problems that can impact fertility. The doctor may also ask both partners about their sexual habits. To confirm the diagnosis, the following tests may be recommended:

• Serum analysis determines sperm volume, pH, velocity, sperm concentration, total sperm count, linearity, morphology, viscosity, and color.

• Semen biochemistry fructose test.

• Sperm antibody tests.

• Sperm DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) assessment.

• Special staining for the azoospermic specimen.

• Leukocytospermia quantitation.

How to Increase the Chances of Conception?

If a person leads a healthy lifestyle, he is more likely to produce healthy sperm. He should avoid lifestyle choices that can compromise his fertility.

• Avoid smoking. It has serious effects on both sperm count and motility.

• Avoid alcohol abuse. Habitual alcohol intake can damage semen quality.

• Stop using recreational drugs. Marijuana and other recreational drugs could damage your fertility potential.

• Stay away from steroids. Anabolic steroids cause testicular shrinkage and infertility.

• Think twice about vigorous exercise. It is associated with an increase in a hormone called prolactin, which can diminish sperm production.

• Avoid anything that increases scrotal temperature, such as tight underwear, hot sauna baths, etc.

• Minimize exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides, lead, paint, radiation, radioactive substances, mercury, boron, benzene, etc.

• Get tested for symptoms of malnutrition, anemia, vitamin, and mineral deficiencies and take treatment to rectify them.

• Avoid high levels of physical and mental stress. Practice relaxation and breathing exercises to stay cool.

• Making changes to one’s lifestyle, incorporating a nutritious diet, and stress-free functioning could greatly improve the chances of better quality semen.

General measures that can be taken for the prevention of infertility in males and females are:

• Maintaining normal body weight.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol abuse.
• Regular exercise, but avoid overexercising.
• Avoid unprotected sex.
• Reduce stress.
• Do not delay to conceive if one is prepared to have kids.

Conclusion:

Male infertility implies that a male partner cannot contribute to natural conception due to infertility issues. Male infertility can occur due to several causes. But a male is more likely to be infertile if he has genital infections, experienced early or late puberty, or had an injury to his testicles. Male infertility is not always preventable, but some known causes of male infertility can be avoided.