Causes of Men’s Infertility
By Blue Rose on Tuesday, 24 of March , 2009 at 4:34 pm
What women should know about male fertility.
When it comes to male fertility problems, don’t reach for hormone treatments just yet. Doctors are finding they have the most success treating young couples with antibiotics – largely because sexually transmitted diseases and other infections often impede sperm count, shape and speed. Man ,in fact, account for 40 percent of fertility problems. And young men aren’t exempt: According to some fertility experts, the average male patient is a strapping thirty-something. Here’s why:
- Reproductive tract infections, including sexually transmitted diseases and prostatitis, an infection or inflammation of the prostate gland, can interfere with semen production and sperm function. Once the man is diagnosed and treated with antibiotics, however, his fertility may be restored.
- An illness may prompt a temporary drop in sperm count for three to six months. Excess white blood cells, which fight off infection, can disturb sperm function. Usually, antibiotics eliminate the problem.
- Daily use of marijuana can lower total sperm count because the drug may slow sperm production.
- Smoking may affect the shape and function of a man’s sperm, hampering fertilization.
- Certain steroids may shut down a man’s ability to produce sperm.
- About one third of men with fertility problems have a varicocele – varicose veins wrapped around a testicle. The testicles become overheated and can no longer produce sperm.
- Damaged sperm ducts block the passage of sperm from the testicles.
- Scrotal injuries may also block the passage of sperm from the testicles.
Not sure whether it’s your partner’s smoking habit or his recent bout with the flu that’s putting a damper on procreation? Send him to a doctor for a semen analysis. The longer you wait, the more likely his problem will worsen. Fortunately, it appears that in amny cases, once you’re aware of the problem, it can easily be resolved.
