How
to Stay Fertile
Know the 7 major threats to sperm count
Over
the past 30 years, fertility among married couples in the U.S.
has dropped dramatically. During the '60s, between 7 and 8 percent
of couples reported problems conceiving; today that number has
risen to between 25 and 30 percent.
No
single cause can explain this decline, but it appears that average
sperm counts have been falling over the past couple of decades.
Again, medical science can't say exactly why sperm counts might
be dropping, but we do know a number of things that can affect
them:
Damage
to your testicles
Undescended testicles should be corrected by age two. Testicular torsion, a
painful twisting of the tubes suspending the testicles, should be repaired
within four hours of onset. Don't delay! Varicocele, a swelling of the tubes
that suspend the testicles, should also be fixed promptly. And any male participating
in a contact sport should wear protective gear to prevent injury to his testicles.
Infection
An infection in the testicles, the tubes connecting the testicles
to the penis (called the epididymis), or the prostate
gland
can obstruct
the reproductive tract. Often, these infections are caused by sexually
transmitted diseases. Protect yourself by using a condom or abstaining,
and if you develop a problem, get help right away.
Smoking
Cigarette
smoke can reduce sperm count, the robustness of the sperm, and even
the volume of semen ejaculated. It's just
one of
many
reasons to quit.
Illicit
Drugs
Marijuana can reduce sperm count and robustness, and it can
increase the number of abnormal sperm.
Anabolic steroids
are
a
proven path to infertility.
Medications
Talk
to your doctor if you're taking inflammatory bowel disease medication;
methasalazine
is a good choice. Some
blood pressure
and gout medications also interfere with fertility, and common
antibiotics, such as tetracycline and erythromycin, can cause
temporary declines.
Finally,
any man in his reproductive years who receives chemotherapy
or radiation therapy should consider banking sperm.
Toxins
Any
man who works around pesticides or heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead
and manganese, should wear protective
gear.
Heat
When your testicles get too warm, sperm counts
drop. Although there's lots of talk about the effect of
briefs,
as opposed to
loose-fitting boxer shorts, no scientific evidence shows
a difference. We do know,
however,
that frequent excursions in a hot tub can cause temporary
declines in sperm production.
I know. Fertility is close to the last thing on the minds
of most young men. Someday, though, you may be glad you
took steps
to ensure
your
future
as a father.
About
us | Contact
us | Referring
physicians | Topics | Prevention | Male
Health Quiz | Resources | For
Women | Home
Copyright © 2017 MedIngenuity, LLC
Business Development for Physicians
|
|
|
