Male Infertility
Male infertility is a reasonably common problem. Being infertile has nothing to do with male sexual prowess (virility), but rather with the absence of healthy sperm in the semen that are capable of traveling to meet the ovum.
Absence of sperm or low sperm count may be due to an infection associated with high fever that occurs after puberty. Mumps has long been associated with infertility in a man.
A varicocele is a small flaw in the anatomy of a vein. If such a vein exists, surplus blood, and therefore too much heat, gets to the testicles, causing the sperm to die. Every man who has a varicocele is not infertile. However, about 30 percent of men who are infertile have a varicocele. The size of the varicocele seems to have no bearing on sperm count.
Varicoceles can be corrected with a simple surgical procedure or a new nonsurgical technique in which a tiny silicone balloon or coil is inserted into the area to close off the swollen vein, rerouting the blood to other blood vessels.
Other physical conditions that might be found include an obstruction in the duct system that could block the outflow of sperm, or an infection, which could cause scarring that could stop the sperm. When an evaluation shows that a man's testicles are producing plenty of healthy sperm but none appear in his semen, an obstruction of the tubes running from the testicles to the prostate is suspected. Microsurgical techniques for bypassing obstruction exist to remedy this situation.
Sperm production may be impaired by the use of alcohol or drugs, or exposure to toxic chemicals. Hot tubs, tight bikini shorts or jeans may increase the temperature in the testes, lowering production of sperm. A woman's use of douches or lubricants can kill sperm.
Sometimes a man's body reacts to its own sperm as if it were a foreign invader, producing antibodies to the sperm. The antibodies block conception by immobilizing the sperm or by preventing their passage through the woman's cervical mucus.
Female Infertility
Many women trying to conceive for the first time panic if their periods continue for even three or four months. But the standard definition of infertility is unsuccessful conception after an entire year of unprotected intercourse. At that point, a couple should seek a comprehensive examination that includes menstrual and pregnancy history, semen analysis, ovulation tests, and sometimes a laparoscopy to detect endometriosis or pelvic adhesions. Such testing determines the causes of infertility in 70 to 85 percent of all couples. |
Most types of male infertility aren't preventable. However, avoid drug and tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption, which may contribute to male infertility. Also, high temperatures can affect sperm production and motility. Although this effect is usually temporary, avoid hot tubs and steam |
