Fertility problems in men
It’s
not just women who have to look after themselves before trying for a baby –
research shows that half of fertility problems are down to the male partner in
a relationship.
The top fertility zapping problems include…
• Poor sperm quality There can be blockages in
sperm-carrying tubes, or problems with the sperm itself, such as low sperm
count and irregular shape and movement.
• Medical issues such as problems with erections
or ejaculation, testosterone deficiency or previous groin injury/surgery.
• Smoking
has been linked to low sperm count and to sluggish sperm motility (that means
how fast they swim!).
• Recreational drugs Long-term use of marijuana results in a low sperm count and
sperm that exhibit abnormal development – it can temporarily reduce the number
of quality sperm by 50 percent. Cocaine, heroin and ecstasy have all been
shown to have dramatic effects on fertility.
• Excessive alcoholconsumption
damages the intricate plumbing system of the male reproductive system. It can
harm your liver function, raise estrogen levels and interfere with sperm
development. Alcohol can also deplete the sperm-generating cells in the
testicles, so if you drink heavily, now is the time to give up. Have a look at our advice on lifestyle.
• Too much exercise Men who exercise excessively (particularly cyclists) can reduce their sperm count due to
the heat that builds up in their testicles.
• Tight underwear or tight trousers have both been associated with poor sperm
count, because in order for the testes to produce a sufficient quality of sperm
the temperature of the testes has to be lower than the core body temperature.
• Poor diet It’s
time to swap the junk food for a more healthful diet. If your partner has to give up most of the foods she enjoys once she’s pregnant,
it’s hardly a sacrifice to stick to a healthy diet for a few months before you
conceive. Check out our diet for a healthy-dad-to-be.
• Your job If your job brings you into regular
contact with environmental toxins such as pesticides, insecticides, lead or
radiation or heavy metals your fertility could be at risk. Ask your physician
for more information.
If
you’re having problems conceiving don't panic – there are lots of ways that
professionals can help you and your partner become pregnant. If you’re worried
about any of the above, see your physician or a fertility specialist.
The information in this feature is intended for
educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the
health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a
doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 02/05/2007
Related Chat 4
my best mates dad had a vasectomy after having my best mate and her sister. he then split from my mates mum and is with somebody else. he got his vasectomy reversed, and was told there would only be a 25% chance of him and his new partner becoming pregnant but they managed it fine, and now have a beautiful year old called Grace.
Hi My dad had a vasectomy wen he was with my mum after having me and my brother but wen he married his second wife he got it reveresed and they had one lot of ivi i think it is called but afterwards they were told it was useless and wouldnt of worked!!! Then he went on to have ivf which was unsuccesful as well. there may be hope for others but my dads sperm had lost mobility !! i no i probably shouldnt no this much but my dad was pretty honest and open with us kids so we knew wat was going on!!!!
xxx
HI.
Me and my husband really want a baby. Problem is, he had a vasectomy 12 years ago. We have discussed a vasectomy reversal, but after such a long time, it is a big chance it won't be successful. I'm desperate for a baby, but is it worth getting our hopes up? I'd love to hear from people who have gone through, or are going through the same thing.
Hi. Our situation was not quite the same but I would like to share it to give others hope. My husband and I had been trying for a baby for just over a year when we discovered my husband had a low sperm count. We were refererred for IUI. The only treatment the NHS would provide for couples in our situation. We saw the consultant who quite frankly gave us hope and arranged for me to have scans to check I was ovulating. We had them the next month and I was told I probably hadn't ovulated. Two weeks later I did a POSITIVE PREGNANCY TEST. When our daughter was six months old we tried again. I was pregnant naturally within 3 months. Unfortunately I miscarried. Three months later I was pregnant again and went on to have a baby boy.
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