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Infertility is being talked about more and more often. Typically, a problem is identified with the couple’s inability to conceive. This condition is equally common in men and women. What usually causes male infertility? Should the sources of this ailment be sought in specific diseases or in lifestyle?
Infertility in men – why did it affect you?
Infertility of couples is usually diagnosed when they regularly engage in intercourse (frequency 3-4 times a week), with the simultaneous abandonment of contraception and the lack of effect in the form of fertilization. Infertility is as common in men as it is in women. Very often, men automatically attribute many negative features to themselves in connection with this ailment, arousing a sense of guilt, often finally experiencing depressive moods related to it, which inevitably builds a negative self-esteem. It is worth trying to properly identify the causes of the infertility problem, and either act prophylactically or undergo treatment.
Causes of male infertility
The causes of male infertility vary greatly. Sometimes the problem lies in the lifestyle practiced – when there are too many stimulants (alcohol, all kinds of drugs), when the working conditions are conducive to spending time in a sitting position or when the testicles are exposed to overheating. Then, the early knowledge on this subject will allow you to introduce changes to your everyday life, intervene early and remedy the problem. Any doubts and concerns related to this should be verified by conducting a semen analysis. Collected semen (not more than 2 ml) is subjected to analysis, as a result of which its quality, quantity and sperm motility are determined. Only the diagnosis of normospermia means that there is no problem in this respect – all parameters are then normal. The ruling of any irregularities leads to the diagnosis of the underlying disease.
Infertility in men — specific diseases are to blame
The causes of infertility in men can be specific diseases. Infertility is often faced by men who, struggling with cancer, were subjected to radio- or chemotherapy. Irradiation significantly reduces fertility, hence the frequent recommendation that semen be frozen before undergoing such treatment.
Another cause of infertility in men are hormonal disorders, otherwise known as Kallmann’s disease, the secondary effect of which is testicular hormonal failure, often associated with male infertility.
Often the reasons lie in disorders of the autoimmune system, which causes the immune system to produce antibodies, making sperm unable to fertilize.
An obvious indication for a possible infertility certificate are venereal diseases or untreated inflammatory conditions, which, if underestimated, can also lead to infertility.
Very often, infertility is associated with testicular dysfunction, location of the testicles outside the scrotum (cryptorchidism), testicular cancer, congenital defects – the absence of both testicles (anorchism) or one testicle (monorchism). On the way to fertility, there are also diseases or congenital defects of the penis: phimosis (when the foreskin is fused with the glans), short frenulum, epidermis (the urethral opening is located within the glans).
Certainly, the risk factors behind possible infertility are systemic diseases. Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s in men can also cause infertility in men if endocrine treatment is abandoned. In addition, diabetics or people who suffered from mumps in childhood may also struggle with this condition.
What primarily depends on a man in this regard is to take care of a healthy lifestyle – practicing possible activities, avoiding stimulants, introducing a properly balanced diet, undergoing regular preventive examinations.