Male Infertility
Written by The Blue Heron Clinic
Several health factors can affect male fertility such as diet, lifestyle, stress, exposure to chemicals, toxins, pollutants and genetics. These factors can negatively impact sperm health, motility, morphology and volume leading to an increase in miscarriage during pregnancy, poor fetus development or complete sterility in men. Unfortunately, for the most part, men pay little head to their sexual health or male factor fertility unless faced with a drastic situation such as an STD or discovery of a sperm health issue during preperation for IVF or other A.R.T (Assisted Reproductive Treatment).
Male Fertility Factor Involving Sperm Health
Low sperm volume (Oligospermia)
Oligospermia refers to semen with a low concentration of sperm and is a common cause of male infertility. Semen with a decreased sperm concentration may also have issues with sperm morphology and motility.
Aspermia is the total lack of semen (not azoospermia - no sperm cells in the semen) and is a cause of male infertility. One of the causes of aspermia is retrograde ejaculation, which can be brought on by excessive use of recreational drugs, or as a result of prostate issues.
Low ejaculate volume Hypospermia
Hypospermia is the medical term when a man has an unusually low ejaculate / semen volume and is a cause of infertility.
Absence of sperm cells in ejaculate (Azoospermia)
Azoospermia is the medical condition of a male not having any measurable level of sperm in his semen. It is associated with very low levels of fertility or even sterility, but many forms are amenable to medical treatment. In humans, azoospermia affects about 1% of the male population[1] and may be seen in up to 20% of male infertility situations.
Poor sperm morphology (Teratospermia)
This is a condition defined by the presence of sperm with abnormal morphology (poor development) that affects fertility in men. This issues may also have an effect on pregnancy health and miscarriage in cases where an abnormal sperm has fertilized a woman's egg..
Low sperm motility (Asthenozoospermia)
Asthenozoospermia is the medical term for reduced sperm motility, it decreases the sperm quality and is therefore a potential cause for male infertility.
Other Male Infertility Issues:
- Abnormal sperm production or function due to various problems, such as undescended testicles, genetic defects or repeated infections.
- Problems with the delivery of sperm due to sexual problems, such as premature ejaculation or painful intercourse (dyspareunia); health issues, such as retrograde ejaculation; certain genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis; or structural problems, such as blockage of the part of the testicle that contains sperm (epididymis).
- General health and lifestyle issues, such as poor nutrition, obesity, or use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs all of which have an effect on ones overall health including sperm production.
- Overexposure to certain environmental factors, such as pesticides and other chemicals. In addition, frequent exposure to heat, such as in saunas or hot tubs, can elevate your core body temperature. This may impair your sperm production and lower your sperm count.
- Damage related to cancer and its treatment. Both radiation and chemotherapy treatment for cancer can impair sperm production, sometimes severely. The closer radiation treatment is to the testicles, the higher the risk of infertility. Removal of one or both testicles due to cancer also may affect male fertility.
- Age. Recent studies have shown that men older than age 40 may be less fertile than younger men due to decreasing sperm quality.
Medical Treatment Options for Male Infertility
Like it or not, men are not immune to sexual health problems and as medical diagnostic technology improves year on year doctors are discovering that men are a significant if not equal contributor to couples having difficulty conceiving naturally. Modern medicine has developed specific treatments for male infertility factor including surgical and non surgical therapy. If you and your partner have been trying to get pregnant for more than one year or if you have a history of infertility in your family we recommend you ask for a referral to a fertility specialist in your area.
The Blue Heron Galway Fertility Clinic uses Acupuncture, Nutrition and Specially Formulated Fertility Vitamins to treat Male Infertility.
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