Health, Lifestyle, and Environmental Factors
A great many factors in a man’s lifestyle and environment can affect his fertility. Luckily, many (although not all) of these may be mitigated through lifestyle changes.
Age. In general, a man’s fertility declines as he ages. In addition, as a man ages, the chances of DNA errors being transmitted to a conceived child and affecting that child’s long-term health also increase.
Stress. Excessive or prolonged stress can influence the production of hormones that affect fertility. Ironically, the stress associated with failure to achieve a pregnancy can contribute to infertility.
Excessive Heat. When the testicles are too warm, sperm production decreases and the number of malformed sperm increases. Tight pants, frequent hot tub use, and excessive exercise can all contribute to infertility.
Environmental Hazards. Exposure to chemicals such as pesticides and lead can affect fertility.
Malnutrition. Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, selenium, zinc, lycopene, and folic acid can decrease fertility.
Obesity. Excessive fat deposits can alter a man’s hormonal balance and affect his fertility.
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs. Men who smoke frequently have a reduced sperm count. Also, some drugs, such as anabolic steroids, can directly affect testicle health and sperm production. In addition, dependence on alcohol and/or drugs is often linked to a general decrease in health and nutrition.
Cancer Treatments. Both chemotherapy and radiation therapy can negatively impact sperm production.
Other Medical Conditions. Injuries, surgery, and many other diseases, particularly those that affect hormonal balance, can contribute to infertility.
In general, men who are actively trying to get their partners pregnant, especially if they have reason to believe that they may have decreased fertility, can make several lifestyle changes to increase their fertility:
Relax. Identify sources of stress and take steps to mitigate them.
Avoid Excessive Heat. Wear loose pants and underwear, limit hot tub use, and regulate exercise.
Avoid Environmental Hazards. Whenever possible, limit exposure to harmful chemicals, such as pesticides and lead.
Eat Healthy Meals. Proper nutrition promotes general health. Nutritional supplements may also help increase fertility.
Limit Alcohol and Drugs. Reduce use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs, including medications known to cause fertility problems.
Have Regular Medical Checkups. Regular physical examinations can help keep chronic diseases under control and enable early detection of infections and abnormalities.
Avoid STDs. Practice safer sex to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and visit a doctor for early detection and treatment of STDs.
Avoid Injury. Wear protective gear when playing sports or participating in other physically risky activities.
Impaired Production or Function of Sperm
In many cases of male infertility, an inadequate number of healthy, functioning sperm are produced. If the sperm are not both properly shaped and fully motile, they may not reach and penetrate the egg. In some cases, the sperm is healthy, but an inadequate amount is produced (oligospermia). In other situations, the amount of sperm produced is high, but they are malformed (teratospermia) and/or have poor motility (asthenospermia). Some of the causes of lowered sperm production are:
Cryptorchidism (Undescended Testicle). Usually seen in newborn boys, this condition occurs when one or both testicles fail to descend from the abdomen to the scrotum. The increased temperature in the abdomen, as opposed to the scrotum, impairs sperm production.
Varicocele. This is a dilated scrotal vein, which insufficiently cools the testicles due to inadequate blood flow. The increased temperature impairs sperm production.
Hormone Deficiencies. Defects in the testicles, hypothalamus, or pituitary gland can result in decreased levels of the hormones that stimulate the testicles to produce sperm.
Immunologic Infertility. In some cases, a man’s immune system may produce antibodies to his own sperm. When the antibodies attack the sperm, they prevent normal movement and function of the sperm.
Genetic Defects. Genetic diseases, such as Klinefelter’s syndrome and Kartagener syndrome, can cause abnormalities in the development of the reproductive organs.
Infections. Inflammation of the testicles can impair sperm production.
Treatments for low sperm production vary depending on the cause. Drug therapy may be used for hormonal and immunologic issues, while surgery may correct cryptorchidism and variocele. Intrauterine insemination (IUI), in which the sperm is collected and placed directly in the uterus via a catheter, is also used to overcome sperm count and movement problems.
Impaired Delivery of Sperm
Another source of male infertility is an inability to properly deliver sperm to the cervix during ejaculation. Some causes for impaired delivery of sperm are:
Sexual Issues. Difficulties with erection of the penis (erectile dysfunction), premature ejaculation, painful intercourse (dysparenuia), and psychological or relationship problems are all sources of infertility.
Retrograde Ejaculation. If the nerves and muscles of the bladder neck fail to close it during ejaculation, semen can be pushed into the bladder instead of through the penis.
Obstruction. The epididymis, ejaculatory ducts, or vas deferens may be blocked due to congenital defect, repeated infections, inflammation, injury, or surgery.
Misplaced Urethral Opening (Hypospadias). This is a birth defect in which the urethra opens on the underside of the penis instead of at the tip. This condition can prevent semen from reaching the cervix.
As with low sperm production, the treatments for impaired delivery of sperm depend on the cause. Sexual issues may be treated with a combination of medication and counseling. Retrograde ejaculation is treated with drugs, and obstructions and hypospadias can be corrected surgically. Intrauterine insemination (IUI), and in severe cases, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), may also be used to treat these conditions.
Male Infertility and Sperm Banks
Although many types of male infertility are treatable, not all cases are cured. When faced with male infertility, many couples consider donor insemination (DI) through a sperm bank, such as the European Sperm Bank USA. Although DI is not a medical cure for infertility, because the resultant child is not genetically related to the mother’s partner, it is a straightforward and inexpensive way for a couple to have a much-desired child.
References:
MayoClinic.com: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infertility/ds00310/dsection=causes
American Urological Association, Inc, “A Basic Guide to Male Infertility”: http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines/patient-guides/whatswrongpg.pdf
American Urological Association Foundation: http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=11&topic=38
European Sperm Bank USA, located in Seattle, Washington, was established to provide couples and individuals with the donor choices they need to make dreams of conception, pregnancy and childbirth a reality. European Sperm Bank USA is affiliated with Denmark-based European Sperm Bank, and are leading the way for sperm donor banks in Europe.