The Top 7 Causes of Male Fertility Problems
Many different factors can affect a mans fertility, factors that are in his control as well as out of his control.
Read through these 7 prevalent causes to see if you could be at risk.
1.
Smoking is proven to lower a mans sperm counts.
The severity and extent of this affect will usually depend on how long you have been smoking, and how much you smoke per day.
If you are planning to conceive, it is beneficial to quit smoking.
There are also countless other health reasons for doing so.
2.
Sexually transmitted infections.
These infections can harm the testicles and therefore sperm production.
Particular infections can also actually block the sperm ducts, making you completely infertile.
It is always wise to practice safe sex - you may have a sexually transmitted infection and not know about it until the damage to your fertility has been done and you are completely sterile.
3.
Alcohol and drugs are also a major factor.
Not only can they slow sperm production, but they can also damage sperm which can result in failed pregnancies, and even affect the health of your baby.
4.
Environmental pollution and toxins can damage your reproductive organs.
Particularly true if you work with certain chemicals.
Thankfully most western countries have health and safety legislation which protects workers from exposure to such harmful chemicals, however in many areas of the world, men are still routinely exposed to these kind of chemicals.
5.
Heat: Believe it or not, using laptops on your lap can in fact lower sperm count.
Sperm can only survive at certain temperatures, and raising the temperature of the testes for prolonged periods of time will kill sperm.
You should avoid prolonged exposure to such heat.
Use a table to work on your laptop, and avoid spending too much time in hot baths and saunas.
6.
Low testosterone can also lower your sperm count.
A mans testosterone levels tend to drop as he gets older, however diseases that affect the pituitary gland can also lower testosterone levels and therefore sperm count.
7.
Reverse ejaculation, whereby sperm leaks into the bladder instead of being released via the penis, can also cause fertility problems.
This is often caused by diabetes, or by prostrate surgery, as both weaken the bladder neck which controls ejaculation.
If you are struggling to conceive, you should always visit a doctor to get a full health check up.
Your doctor will be able to identify the reasons for your fertility problems.
Read through these 7 prevalent causes to see if you could be at risk.
1.
Smoking is proven to lower a mans sperm counts.
The severity and extent of this affect will usually depend on how long you have been smoking, and how much you smoke per day.
If you are planning to conceive, it is beneficial to quit smoking.
There are also countless other health reasons for doing so.
2.
Sexually transmitted infections.
These infections can harm the testicles and therefore sperm production.
Particular infections can also actually block the sperm ducts, making you completely infertile.
It is always wise to practice safe sex - you may have a sexually transmitted infection and not know about it until the damage to your fertility has been done and you are completely sterile.
3.
Alcohol and drugs are also a major factor.
Not only can they slow sperm production, but they can also damage sperm which can result in failed pregnancies, and even affect the health of your baby.
4.
Environmental pollution and toxins can damage your reproductive organs.
Particularly true if you work with certain chemicals.
Thankfully most western countries have health and safety legislation which protects workers from exposure to such harmful chemicals, however in many areas of the world, men are still routinely exposed to these kind of chemicals.
5.
Heat: Believe it or not, using laptops on your lap can in fact lower sperm count.
Sperm can only survive at certain temperatures, and raising the temperature of the testes for prolonged periods of time will kill sperm.
You should avoid prolonged exposure to such heat.
Use a table to work on your laptop, and avoid spending too much time in hot baths and saunas.
6.
Low testosterone can also lower your sperm count.
A mans testosterone levels tend to drop as he gets older, however diseases that affect the pituitary gland can also lower testosterone levels and therefore sperm count.
7.
Reverse ejaculation, whereby sperm leaks into the bladder instead of being released via the penis, can also cause fertility problems.
This is often caused by diabetes, or by prostrate surgery, as both weaken the bladder neck which controls ejaculation.
If you are struggling to conceive, you should always visit a doctor to get a full health check up.
Your doctor will be able to identify the reasons for your fertility problems.
