Factors that can harm male fertility
Article Date: 25th January 2016
For couples who are trying for a baby but struggling to conceive, much of the focus is on the woman’s fertility. However, it is just as important to look at where you can increase male fertility.
The main causes of male infertility include low sperm production, abnormal sperm function, or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Sometimes, these issues can be as the result of on-going health problems, but they can also be caused by certain lifestyle factors.
Here’s some advice on lifestyle factors that can affect male fertility:
What job do you do?
Some research has shown that men who have a physically-demanding job are more likely to have a low sperm count than those who don’t. Stressful jobs are also linked to problems with conception. Not only can stress reduce your libido, in severe cases it can limit sperm production.
How much do you drink?
Drinking too much alcohol can damage the quality of your sperm. Guidelines published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) state that if men follow the Department of Health’s recommendations of drinking no more than three to four units of alcohol a day, it is unlikely their fertility will be affected.
What medicines and drugs do you take?
Certain medicines can sometimes cause infertility problems.
Sulfasalazine, an anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat conditions such as Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis, is associated with low sperm counts, as are anabolic steroids, which some men use to build muscle and improve athletic performance.
Medicines used in chemotherapy can sometimes reduce sperm production while some herbal remedies, such as root extracts of Tripterygium wilfordii (a Chinese herb), can also affect the production of sperm.
Illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine can also affect semen quality.
Are you overweight?
Researchers have found that men who are overweight or obese have lower sperm counts than men of normal weight.
Do you smoke?
As well as being bad for your general health, smoking can adversely impact sperm levels and quality. Men who may have low sperm quality can help themselves you giving up smoking.
Do you get overheated?
The testicles are outside the body because optimum sperm production occurs at temperatures below normal body temperature. Spending too much time in hot tubs or saunas can temporarily lower sperm production, as can wearing tight pants or trousers, or sitting with a hot laptop on your lap for too long.
Too much time in the saddle?
There are studies that show men who spend many hours on a bike or horse-riding, especially if the saddle is hard or poorly adjusted, can experience infertility problems.
The above are merely guidelines to give men the best chance of doing their bit to help their partner conceive. If you have not conceived after a year of unprotected sex you are advised to make an appointment with a doctor. Likewise, if you have erection problems of any pains in the testicle area make an appointment.