Many people dream to become parents by having their children someday. But with fertility problems, getting pregnant can be a real challenge to couples. Infertility refers to the condition of not being able to conceive after a reasonable period of sexual intercourse without contraception.
Roughly 16 percent of couples in Canada experience infertility. That is 1 in 6 couples. But this number has doubled since the 1980s. 40 percent of the time the problem is with the male, this is from the National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health. But the problems may be present in either or both of the partners.
What are the Causes of Infertility?
Infertility can be traced to either man or woman, or a combination of both:
· 4 times out of 10, the cause is found in women
· 3 times out of 10, the cause is found in men
· 2 times out of 10, the cause can be a mix of factors from both male and female
· 1 time out of 10, no specific cause can be found
What is Male Infertility?
When the problem causing the inability to conceive lie with the male partner, this is termed male infertility. Fertility in males is evaluated by checking the sperm count, sperm motility (or the ability to move), and sperm morphology (shape). These abnormalities result in male infertility.
There may also be nothing wrong with the sperm, but in some cases, the blockages in the sperm ducts are the ones that make it impossible for a couple to conceive.
Factors that Cause Infertility in Men
Some of the factors that contribute to infertility in men are listed below:
· Inflammation or infection causing issues with sperm production.
· Varicoceles, or the enlarged veins in the genital region.
· Damage to sperm ducts can make the transportation of sperm a problem
· Erectile Dysfunction, or the condition where the male is unable to get or maintain an erection
· Torsion or the condition where the testicles get twisted around inside the scrotal sac causing blockage and swelling.
· Premature Ejaculation or a condition where an erection can’t be sustained for more than thirty seconds.
· Retrograde Ejaculation or a condition where the semen passes back into the bladder instead of out through the penis during orgasm.
· Delayed Ejaculation or a condition where ejaculation occurs late or in some instances doesn’t happen at all during sexual intercourse.
· Ejaculatory Incompetence or a condition where the male can’t ejaculate during coitus, but can during masturbation.
· Hormonal imbalance that leads to lower levels of sperm production.
· Asthenospermia or a condition of having poor sperm quality causing an inability to conceive.
· Oligospermia or when the sperm count is too low to get your partner pregnant.
· Teraospermia or having abnormal sperm shape causing fertility issues.
· Undescended testicles causing sperm production problems.
· Exposure to radiation which can diminish sperm count.
· Lifestyle problems like drinking, smoking, drug abuse, and addictions that can cause sperm production problems.
· Stress and obesity
This is just an indicative list and does not include all factors that may contribute to male infertility. Should there be a problem in conceiving, consult a health care specialist or contact an online doctor Toronto.
Things that Men Should Avoid to Prevent Infertility
If your infertility problem is caused by sperm production problems due to infection, addiction, and other reversible conditions, treatment can help cure male infertility. But if there is an actual physical problem such as a congenital condition in which the vas deferens is missing, then it is not possible to prevent infertility.
You can prevent lifestyle-related problems, though. The prevention of male infertility that is caused by lifestyle issues can be done by living a healthier way. Below are some things that men should avoid to prevent infertility:
1. Avoid being overweight
Excess weight is associated with sperm production problems. In order to prevent this from becoming an issue, maintain a healthy weight as per your body type.
2. Maintain an optimum testicular temperature
Wearing tight clothes can affect blood circulation in the genital region and raise the temperature of the testicles. The higher testicular temperature has been associated with infertility by affecting the production of sperm.
3. Overcome addiction to smoking, alcohol, and drugs
Addiction disrupts the proper functioning of biological processes. Anything in excess can become an addiction, therefore, men need to monitor their intake of addictive substances like cigarettes and alcohol, and any drugs.
4. Avoid mobile phone and laptop radiation
Electronic gadgets emit low levels of radiation that can affect sperm production.
5. Eat nutritious food
The lack of nutrients, such as zinc and vitamin c, can cause problems in sperm production. Ensure that your every meal is well-balanced.
6. Exercise to maintain high immunity
Exercising regularly will help you ensure a healthy immune system. Since infections and inflammations may also stop sperm production, having a healthy immune system will help you stop and fight off these infections.If you are still unable to conceive after having unprotected sex for more than a year, consult a medical professional. An online doctor Toronto is also available for online consultations for fertility problems and other diseases.
