What Are The Main Causes For Male Infertility
Often times, men arrive to see an infertility specialist with their wives, waiting to hear the cause of female infertility — only to find that they are part of the problem. It’s estimated that 40% of all infertility difficulties are caused by a combination of male and female factors, and that men account for 30% of the issues. Male infertility is usually discovered when a couple unsuccessfully tries to conceive for 6 months to a year, but researchers may discover other previously unknown diseases, conditions, abnormalities and causes for male infertility. “Exposures to chemicals as a fetus may lead to adult diseases. Perhaps such exposures may be causing the changes in the sperm DNA,” says Rebecca Sokol M.D., a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Southern California. She adds, “Studies to uncover a relationship between chemical exposures and alterations in sperm DNA should shed light on this.”
There are many possible causes or reasons for male infertility. Varicocele (enlarged scrotum veins) is found in 40% of all male infertility cases. The enlarged veins cause the scrotum temperature to increase, thereby affecting sperm production and quality. Cryptorchidism (the failure of the testicles to descend) is a common side effect of premature births, which may require corrective surgery. Retrograde ejaculation occurs when the nerves or bladder muscles malfunction, causing the sperm to seep into the bladder instead of moving down through the penis
. Diseases like cystic fibrosis, cancer or autoimmune diseases seriously impair a man’s ability to father children as well.
Sometimes the infertility doctor will find an obstruction in the male reproductive system, such as a urinary tract infection, scarring from STDs, a tumor, an injury, a vasectomy or another anatomical defect. Occasionally, accidents or injuries damage male reproductive organs or hormone deficiencies interrupt sperm production. Certain medications taken for fungal infections, hypertension, cancer, gout, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, depression and psychosis cause sexual dysfunction as a side effect.
Sometimes diseases are the causes for male infertility. Many autoimmune disorders cause the body to produce antibodies that attack sperm, for example. Liver disease, sickle cell anemia, kidney disease, the mumps and STDs like syphilis, gonorrhea and herpes disturb the normal functioning of the reproductive organs. Sometimes the reason for infertility is an infection in the actual sex organs, like prostatitis or epididymitis. In these cases, the man must first be treated for his disease, which may or may not improve his sperm production.
To prevent some of these causes for male infertility, a man should avoid drugs and medications known to cause infertility. They should try to eat diets with adequate folic acid and lycopene, and exercise moderately. They should avoid tight underwear, tight pants and an unprotected scrotum during athletic activities. They should avoid exposure to environmental hazards, avoid hot baths or excessive hot tub use and they should practice safe sex to avoid STDs. If they do develop an STD, they should seek treatment immediately. Diseases like diabetes or hypothyroidism should be managed under a doctor’s supervision. While there is no way to 100% prevent the need for a male infertility treatment, following these guidelines should minimize risk significantly.
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ried for about six months.
couples have babies, after all.
viable eggs or if there is scarring on the uterus and ovaries due to certain diseases. Infertility help specialists can run a battery of tests on both the man and woman to determine what is causing the problem with conception and carrying the child to term.