Male Fertility
Infertility affects men and women equally.
In couples experiencing infertility, approximately 35% is due to male factors, 35% is due to female factors, 20% of cases have a combination of both male and female factors, and the last 10% are unexplained causes.
Sometimes male infertility is linked to sexual function, and other times it could be linked to semen quality. Sperm health depends on various factors, including quantity, movement and structure:
Quantity: Fertility is most likely if the semen discharged in a single ejaculation (ejaculate) contains at least 15 million sperm per millilitre. Too little sperm in an ejaculation might make it more difficult to get pregnant because there are fewer candidates available to fertilize the egg.
Movement: To reach and fertilize an egg, sperm must move — wriggling and swimming through a female cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes. This is known as motility. Pregnancy is possible with less than 40% of the sperm in ejaculate moving, but 40% is considered the threshold. The more, the better.
Structure (morphology): Typical sperm have oval heads and long tails, which work together to propel them. This is not as important a factor as sperm quantity or movement.
The entire process of sperm production takes around 74 days. This means that changes made to improve sperm health may take a couple of months or more to show their full effect, as it takes time for new, healthier sperm to be produced.
How is male fertility evaluated?
The first way a doctor evaluates male fertility involves a physical exam and medical history. After that, semen is evaluated. The semen is normally collected in a sterile container by masturbation. The semen test gives important information about the amount, movement, and shape of sperm.
What can you do to improve fertility?
Here are some recommended measures for men to improve their fertility health:
Maintain a healthy lifestyle:
Follow a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight and promote overall well-being.
Avoid or limit exposure to substances that can harm fertility, such as tobacco, excessive alcohol, illicit drugs, and certain medications.
Practice safe sex and avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs):
Use condoms consistently and correctly to protect against STIs, as some STIs can lead to fertility issues.
Manage chronic medical conditions:
If you have a chronic medical condition, such as diabetes or hypertension, work with your healthcare provider to manage it effectively. Poorly managed medical conditions can affect fertility.
Minimize exposure to environmental hazards:
Reduce exposure to environmental toxins and hazards that may affect fertility, such as pesticides, chemicals, radiation, and excessive heat.
Take precautions in certain work environments that involve exposure to chemicals or toxins. Follow safety guidelines and wear protective equipment if necessary.
Protect the testicles:
Avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat, such as hot tubs, saunas, or tight underwear, as elevated testicular temperature can affect sperm production.
Protect the testicles from injury or trauma, as it can potentially impact fertility.
Remember the “4Ts” of male fertility
The following four factors can impact male fertility and should be avoided when trying to improve fertility health.
Tobacco: Nicotine can negatively impact sperm quality, count and mobility.
THC: THC (marijuana) has chemicals in it that can lower sperm production. The chemicals act like estrogen and can lower the testicles’ ability to make a good amount of sperm.
Testosterone: Some men begin testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or take anabolic steroids to improve their mental and physical capacity as they age. However, testosterone supplementation can lead to suppressed natural testosterone production, which can decrease sperm quality and count; disrupt the hormonal balance of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH); impact sperm parameters like count, motility, and DNA integrity; and cause to testicular atrophy, which is the shrinking of the testicles.
Tubs: Hot tubs, bathtubs, saunas, and any other heat exposure to the testicles will impact the testicles’ ability to package and produce sperm with proper shapes. Abnormally shaped sperm, like those with two tails, two heads, a small head, or no head, are hampered from fertilizing and delivering the DNA to the egg.
Medical interventions for health and preservation
If you are actively trying to conceive or want to plan for future family-building, a fertility specialist can provide support.
Testing and evaluation: Physical health assessment and semen analysis. This can indicate the quantity and quality of your sperm.
Fertility preservation: If you have concerns about your fertility or anticipate future difficulties conceiving, you may want to explore fertility preservation options, such as sperm banking, testicular tissue freezing or embryo freezing.
