How can environmental factors play havoc with male fertility?

A number of scientific studies have shown that around the world, male sperm counts have been halved in the past 40-50 years and are falling continuously at a rate of 2% every year. Some of the primary reasons behind this decline range from poor lifestyle, eating habits, increasingly stressful lifestyles, and environmental factors. Also, aging is considered as one of the main reasons behind a significant drop in male fertility. Traditionally, it was believed that men’s fertility remains intact from the time they enter puberty until they die. But in fact it’s the biological clock that ticks away men’s reproductive years. Though at an age of 70 or 80, a man can get his partner pregnant, but it can take a significant time of years rather than months. Aging can lead to decline in motility, morphology, and volume of the sperm as the testes become softer and smaller with time. A range of fertility products can help men maintain their fertility in a considerable amount of time. Some of these products contain natural ingredients and herbal extracts and do not cause any major side effects. Let’s look at some of the essential environmental factors that can lead to infertility in most men:

Environmental chemicals – A scientific research done in 2001 suggested that some chemicals present in the environment, commonly known as ‘gender-bending’ chemicals, can be held responsible for affecting the fertility of about four men out of ten. Chemicals that are used in manufacturing of plastics, cosmetics, furniture, and food cans can imitate oestrogen, which is a female sex hormone. The accumulation of these chemicals can interfere with the male reproductive system. The presence of these chemicals in the body can be detected in urine. Phthalates is one such chemical that can cause low sperm count and wearing away of testicles.

Occupation – Scientists believe that apart from farmers, welders, decorators, painters, taxi drivers, builders, and even office workers are at high risk of male infertility. It is due to working in high temperature and exposure to lead that welders are considered most vulnerable to this problem. In case of painters and decorators, a significant exposure to solvents such as glycol ethers can play havoc with male reproductive system. Men, who are pursuing these occupations, can go for male fertility tests to know about their chances to have a baby.

Stress – The British Psychological Society has represented a study that reveals that bottling up feelings can most men at risk of low sperm count. Stress affects our lives in more than one way. Comparing two groups of men in the research, it was found that men who were more fluent about their emotions were the ones with no fertility problems. Cortisol is the hormone that is released in the body when you are highly stressed. It is believed to interfere with the production of sperms.

Most couples, who are planning for a child, can take help of male fertility kit to determine the fertility level. These kits are safe and discreet methods to avoid embarrassment of going to a hospital or clinic for the test. Studies have shown that they provide close to 97% accurate results within few minutes. You just need to collect a fresh sample of semen to perform this fertility test.