A Guide To Male Infertility

nAbout 6.1 million people in the U.S are affected by infertility, according to American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Difficulty in conceiving is a great issue for couples, who remain unsuccessful at ngetting pregnant after one year of unprotected intercourse. They are then are considered infertile. Usually the burden of this problem is thought of as female problem, but research studies show that up to 45% of fertility issues are male-related problems. It is extremely important in the evaluation of infertility to consider the couple as a unit in evaluation and treatment. It is also essential to identify and treat any correctable problems.nnSeeking medical advice may find an underlying cause of infertility that may be one of the following:nnVaricocele. This happens when the veins in the scrotum are dilated or enlarged on one or both sides.nLow Sperm Count. Normal sperm count is between 20-150 million sperm per milliliter. A sperm count below 20 million per testicle is low and may indicate a fertility problem.nSmoking. A study conducted by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine revealed that smoking is one of the most prominent factors contributing to low sperm count in men.nCryptorchidism. It is when the testes do not properly descend into the scrotum, very common in premature births but can be resolved through corrective surgery.nDisease or Illness. Diseases can affect male fertility such as cystic fibrosis, sexually transmitted diseases or men who undergo chemotherapy.nRetrograde Ejaculation. This is caused by the nerves or muscles in the bladder not working properly (the sperm is not coming out and through the penis but being transported backwards into the bladder). Others are caused by injury, hormone deficiency, medications, obstruction in the reproductive tract and other underlying genetic or psychological problems. A complete examination of the infertile male is important to identify general issues associated with infertility where diagnosis begins with medical background check and a physical exam. Oftentimes, young men are uncomfortable to be examined, whereby there are things can be done to avoid some cases of male infertility;nnü Avoid smokingnü Avoid drugs/medication known to cause fertility problems like steroids and certain medicationsnü Avoid exposure to environmental hazards like pesticides.nü Avoid hot baths or hot tubsnü Avoid tight underwear or pantsnü Avoid tremendous exercise or weight liftingnü Wear underwear protection during sports activitiesnü Have regular physical examinationnü Take lycopene supplementnü Eat healthy foods especially rich in folic acid, Vitamin C and Zinc.