In Europe alone, the incidence of infertility is around 14% (according to data from the National Collaborating Center for Women's and Children's Health). It is estimated that in 40-50% of infertile couples the problem is found in the man exclusively or in combination with reproductive problems and his partner, although some men even today strongly question their possible involvement in the fertility problem.
The bad thing is that diseases that cause infertility in men do not usually give symptoms, and so are recognized only after a fruitless attempt by the couple to have children.
So what negatively affects the quality of sperm and therefore a man's fertility?
1. Obesity
Increased body weight and obesity (body mass index <20kg / m2) negatively affect sperm parameters. Possible reasons are the effect of fat on a number of hormones and peptides, such as the disruption of the androgen / estrogen relationship. In cases where there is increased body weight, it has been found that when the body mass index finally exceeds 25-30 kg / m2 there are significant alterations in both the morphology of the sperm and the genetic material (DNA) they carry. 2. Smoking and addictive substances
We know that tobacco and the burning products of the white paper that surrounds it, have a detrimental effect on a man's fertility. So there are several studies published in scientific journals, which show that smoking and inhaled substances cause the so-called "oxidative stress" and impair the fertility of sperm, even if the sperm parameters are normal. In smokers of 20 cigarettes a day or more, it has been found that sperm can not "stick" to the egg, even damage to DNA, ie genetic material. The effects are much more significant in men who do not have normal sperm parameters, as smoking worsens sperm count, motility and morphology. And let's not forget that the testicle has nicotine receptors, but also cannabis and therefore marijuana and cannabis have a negative effect. Cocaine also adversely affects fertility, as it reduces motility and disrupts the morphology of sperm. Importantly, smoking cessation and substance abuse reverse this condition.
3. Mobile phone and other radiations
We hear a lot but we know little about the subject, since unfortunately there is only one scientific study that shows that long hours of mobile phone use can significantly affect male fertility. Of course, it was already known that any kind of intense and long-lasting radiation can damage the production of sperm. This is also the reason why for the medical community it is now a regular practice to cryopreserve the sperm of men with cancer before starting their radiotherapy / chemotherapy, but also of those who have a decline in sperm quality and are not yet trying to conceive.
4. Nutrition
Foods rich in antioxidants are especially important for a man's reproductive health. Foods rich in vitamin A (such as cheese), vitamin C (citrus fruits) and vitamin E (sunflower seeds), as well as foods rich in omega 3 fats (fish) and zinc (oysters) and folic acid have antioxidant activity. (broccoli). Finally beans and artichokes have high concentrations of antioxidants.
5. Supplements of unknown origin and anabolic
Supplements often contain substances that are harmful to fertility and should only be taken on a doctor's recommendation. And of course, as has been repeatedly pointed out, one of the biggest enemies of fertility is the use of anabolic steroids by men! Anabolic steroids and especially testosterone interrupt spermatogenesis and cause huge hormonal changes. Recent studies have also shown that hot coffee or tea served in plastic cups causes the production of estrogen which with frequent daily use impairs fertility.
6. Increase in testicular temperature
If we understood the messages of our body, men would make sure that the testicles were not exposed to high temperatures. While ovaries in women are protected inside their body, the testicles are outside the body. And this not for aesthetic reasons, but functional. Their temperature must be lower than that of the rest of the body in order to function! Thus, anything that disturbs this temperature difference can damage male fertility (which is why in children who have cryptorchidism, ie the testicles remain in the body, we must intervene early and restore their position in the scrotum). Obesity, sedentary work, tight underwear that either do not consist exclusively of cotton, or bring the testicles in close contact with the warmer human body, tight pants and long hours of use of laptops (their temperature can reach 70o C) that when you have them on your knees, they emit heat to the testicles. Studies have shown an increase in testicular temperature from the use of laptops in the knees by 2-3o C which is able to reduce spermatogenesis. All of this gives a good idea of how many daily habits can damage male fertility. Loose underwear and pants, frequent breaks for sedentary workers are simple fertility tips. Also a common condition, hernia, which is diagnosed in 15-20% of men, is considered to have a negative effect on sperm and due to an increase in temperature in the testicles. 40% of men with varicose veins will have affected sperm parameters. The treatment of varicose veins is surgical. Today, microsurgical treatment is applied, which is even more effective with minimal complications, and has practically no effect on the patient since he returns to his activities the next day from the surgery.
7. Infections
The risks that can potentially cause infertility, as it is now known, include both sexually transmitted diseases and the existence of various microorganisms that can not be naturally detected by a simple observation under the microscope. Microorganisms such as N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Ureaplasma urealiticum, are just some of those that, for the sake of fertility, should not be detected in semen! Their presence or the inflammation of the genitals (eg prostatitis, epididymitis) that they can cause, result in a change in sperm quality. Many times these infections become chronic and do not give symptoms. This is why any informal disturbances in the genetic area must be investigated. And not only that: a chronic infection in a man can lead to blockage of the pores from which the sperm are transported and therefore may be produced normally but may not be able to reach the urethra (obstructive azoospermia).
8. Genital injuries
Testicular injuries that can occur during life, if not treated immediately can have long-term consequences for fertility. Everyone can talk about the importance of exercise in maintaining good physical condition, but male fertility, and more specifically the testicles can be "injured" during sports such as martial arts, but also cycling and horseback riding, if as long as the testicles are not protected. The use of spasms during exercise, a special type of underwear available in sporting goods stores protects the testicles.
9. Varicose veins
Varicose veins are a very common cause of male infertility. And in fact insidious since it does not give symptoms. This is a dilation and insufficiency of the testicular veins (corresponding to the varicose veins in the lower extremities), resulting in a disturbance in the function of the testicles. Varicose veins affect slowly, and many men with varicose veins will have no problem if they have children at a young age. In rare cases, varicose veins also occur in children, resulting in the inability of further testicular development. The treatment is surgical (the most reliable method is microsurgery), and the results depend on how much the sperm parameters are affected before the operation.
10. Age
Although most people think that age does not count in men, only in women, this is not entirely accurate. Sperm parameters decrease with age and studies by sperm banks have shown that after 40 years the decrease is noticeable. Of course, this does not mean that a man in his 50s or 60s cannot conceive, but it will certainly be more difficult to conceive. This of course depends on his general health and how much he has been exposed to the above which play a negative role in fertility. Here lies the answer to the typical question of men who have had children in the past, but 5, 10 or 15 years after the birth of their first child have a fertility problem.
These secrets also show the ways of prevention that will help every man to maintain his fertility at a better level. However, before attempting to conceive, it is advisable for every man to have a sperm test at a fertility center or special laboratory, along with a sperm culture to diagnose any infection and with the results to visit a specialist Urologist / Andologist.
Source: ygeianews.gr