WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF INFERTILITY?
Infertility is the ability to achievepregnancy after one year of unprotected intercourse.
HOW OFTEN ARE MALE FATORS INVOLVED?
Infertility is equally likely to be caused by male and female factors. The remaining one third of case are caused by a mixture of male and female issues or by unknownreasons.
HOW IS MALE INFERITILY EVALUATED?
The initial male infertility evaluation starts with a medical and reproductive history and semen analysis (sperm counts). If any abnormalities are found in the initial evaluation, then the man should see a male reproductive specialist.
The specialist will take a complete history and perform a physical examination and, based on those results, may recommended further testing.
WHAT MALE FATORS CAN CAUSE INFERTILITY?
Some of the common problems that cause infertility include a varicocele, obstruction and medications.
VARICOCELE:
Avaricocele is an abnormal dilation of veins within the scrotum and is detected on physical examination.
It is more common on the left but it can occur on both sides. In addition to infertility, a varicocele can cause discomfort. Generally, it is recommended that a varicocele be corrected if a man is infertile, has an abnormal semen analysis and there is little or no infertility issue in the female partner. Most men with a varicocele, however, are not infertile and have no problems related to the varicocele.
OBSTRUCTION:
Another common cause of male infertility is obstruction, or a blockage in the reproductive tract .The most common reason is vasectomy, but other condition such as trauma or infection can also lead to blockage.
MEDICATIONS:
Medications can also cause infertility in some cases; simply stooping the medication can allow a man and his partner to have pregnancy.
Common medications that cause infertility include testosterone and chemotherapy (for cancer). Both types of medication cause infertility by suppressing sperm production. In most men, stopping testosterone will allow sperm production to return to the same level as before starting the medicine. Depending on the amount and type of chemotherapy, some men will recover sperm production overtime.
ISIT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A CHILD IF THE MALE HAS ONE OF THESE OTHER PROBLEMS THAT CANOT BE CORRECTED?
Yes. Some men with an uncorrectable problem, or one that they do not want corrected, can have their own biological children, As long as sperm can be obtained, then pregnancy is possible with specialized fertility treatments. Some men can have sperm retrieved from the reproductive tract for use with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
HOW OFTEN SHOULD A COPULE HAVE INTERCOURSE?
Surprisingly, long periods of abstinence can decrease the quality of sperm. Couple should have intercourse (sex) at least two or three times a week during the fertile period. A couple has more chances for pregnancy if they have intercourse every one to two days during the fertile window, and a pregnancy is most likely if a couple has intercourse within the six-day time frame that ends on the day that an egg is released(ovulation).
Does diet affect fertility?
Obesity has been clearly linked to impaired sperm production. Overweight men interested in optimizing fertility should attempt to attain an ideal body weight. Antioxidants such as vitamins E and C are found in most multi-vitamins, have been found to result in a slight increase in both sperm count and movement. Fruits and vegetables also provide a natural source of antioxidants and should be part of a balanced and healthy diet.
What are the effects of smoking and recreational drug use?
Smoking is associated with reduced sperm quality. Men who are trying to conceive should consider stopping smoking immediately. Also, recreational drugs, including anabolic steroids and marijuana, are associated with impaired sperm function; they should not be used.
Are Boxers shorts or briefs better?
Some studies suggest that wearing brief underwear may raise the temperature around the scrotum and cause a decrease in sperm quality. Choosing boxer underwear is one way to avoid this. The evidence from these studies is inconclusive.
Regardless, avoiding situations that raise scrotal temperature (like hot tubs or using laptops on your lap) might improve sperm quantity and quality.