It takes two to tango and two to make a baby, therefore a man’s fertility is just as important as a woman’s fertility. There are several things that every man should know about his own fertility…
Most of the time, attention given to fertility and pregnancy is centered on women. That focus makes sense because most people think of conception as all about the woman, especially since pregnancy occurs in her body. Of course, that focus does not take into consideration the whole story.
The Biological Clock is Just as Important For Men
Some couples may already be aware that female fertility declines with age. While a woman is most fertile in her early twenties, her fertility begins to slowly decrease in her late twenties, with a sharper decline starting at age 35. By the time a woman reaches her mid-40s, she has only a tiny chance of conceiving on her own. Male fertility is also affected by age, though not as drastically as in women. A woman in her sixties or seventies cannot conceive naturally, but some older men are still capable of naturally fathering a child. Whenever a couple is planning a family, age should always be an important factor to consider.
A number of research studies have been done relating to male fertility and age. The results show that as a man gets older, his fertility and sperm health decreases. Research also shows that there is an increase in DNA-damaged sperm as men get older. Male age has been linked to genetic issues, an increased risk of miscarriage, and some birth defects, not to mention increased rates of autism and schizophrenia.
Diet, Health, and Work-Related Factors Can Impact Male Fertility
Just as unhealthy habits can impact a woman’s fertility, health habits matter when it comes to male fertility. If you are planning on conceiving now or in the future, be sure to consider these potentially harmful health issues:
- If your job involves close contact with toxic chemicals, you may be at greater risk for infertility and decreased sperm health. Research shows that welders, metal workers, painters, and farmers have all been found to be at risk for decreased fertility. Speak to your doctor if your job involves working with toxic chemicals or even extreme heat conditions; there may be some specific steps you can take to protect yourself from adverse fertility effects from your job.
- Everyone knows that smoking is not good for your health, but did you know that smoking negatively affects important male factors for conception, such as sperm counts, sperm motility, and even sperm shape? Studies have found that IVF treatment success tends to be lower in male smokers, even when IVF with ICSI is used. Smoking is also associated with erectile dysfunction. It is entirely possible, however, that some of the negative effects from smoking can be reversed by kicking this habit.
- Being overweight or even underweight can have a harmful impact on semen health. Underweight men with a BMI less than 20 have been found to have lower sperm concentration and sperm counts. Overweight men have been found to also have lower sperm counts, along with lower levels of testosterone.
- Drinking too many alcoholic beverages has been found to have a negative impact on male fertility. Most studies have found that a just a few drinks a week won’t cause any harm, however excessive drinking has been connected to lower sperm counts, poor sperm motility, and poor sperm shape.
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that can lead to infertility if not immediately treated. When these infections are not treated promptly, it can lead to the development of scar tissue within the male reproductive tract, making semen transfer ineffective and sometimes even impossible. If you’re at risk for contracting an STD, be sure to get regular testing, even if you currently have no symptoms. If you have any symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease, see your doctor right away. Be sure to practice safe sex, as you do not want to unknowingly pass on an STD to your female partner; not doing so could damage her fertility.
Heat is Bad News For Sperm
High temperatures and sperm are a bad mix. Sources of sperm-troubling heat include, but are not limited to:
- Wearing extremely tight shorts or underwear, especially when made from a non-breathable fabric
- Hot tubs or long hot baths
- Heated car seats
- Sitting for lengthy periods of time with your legs close together
- Sitting with a laptop on your lap
Researchers have found that heat damaging effects include decreases in sperm count and movement, as well as more DNA-damaged sperm.
Male Infertility is Fairly Common
It is typically recommended that couples who have not conceived after a year of unprotected sex (or six months, if the woman is age 35 or older) seek testing and possible fertility treatment. The female partner will usually see her gynecologist for an evaluation; men need to be evaluated as well, since male-factor infertility is involved in up to half of all infertile couples. Infertility statistics show that about one third of infertile couples have female factor infertility and another third have male factor infertility. For the remaining third, both male and female factor infertility is identified, or the cause of infertility remains unexplained.
A semen analysis should be done before any specific treatments are tried. The semen analysis is a non-invasive test that evaluates semen and sperm health. Speak to your partner’s gynecologist about having the analysis done upfront before other treatments begin. Attempting other fertility treatments before evaluating male fertility may only prolong a couple’s struggle while causing unnecessary physical emotional stress for both people, and possibly subjecting the female partner to unneeded physical tests and procedures.
Male Infertility Usually Shows No Visible Symptoms
Male infertility typically shows no obvious signs. In fact, the inability to conceive is usually the first sign of infertility in men. That means you can be in great health, have great sex, and still have fertility issues.
There are, however, several symptoms and potential risk factors to keep an eye open for, such as:
- An undescended testicle
- Pain, swelling, or a lump in the testicular area
- Trouble having or maintaining an erection
- Low sex drive
- Prior treatment for a sexually transmitted infection
If any of these symptoms or risk factors apply, be sure to see a urologist before trying to conceive.
Some commonly prescribed medications may actually impact your fertility. If you are having trouble conceiving, talk to your primary care physician to find out if your medications might be compromising your fertility. In most cases, you should be able to switch to a different medication.
The reproductive specialists and staff at the Center for Reproductive Medicine, serving the greater southeast Texas area at three conveniently located clinics in Houston, Webster, and Beaumont, understand that extra support is often needed when you have not been successful in your attempts to conceive. At CORM, our professional staff is committed to providing the highest quality reproductive medicine, while ensuring the best care possible is given to every patient/couple undergoing fertility treatment. If you are having trouble getting pregnant or would like more information, please contact the Center of Reproductive Medicine today.