Infertility in Men: Diagnosis, What You Can Do

Did you know that semen quality has significantly reduced in the past 50 years? Moreover, almost 300 million people in the world are directly or indirectly affected by infertility? According to a recent survey conducted last 2013, 1 out of 10 Filipinos are infertile; while another study by the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the infertility rate in the country was at 7.90% back in 2004.

What is infertility?

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive within a year of actively trying to have a baby. According to UCLA Health: 85% of couples will achieve pregnancy within the first year of having frequent and unprotected sexual intercourse. Being infertile may be a result of a combination of factors like age, previous medical conditions, or other unknown complications. Remember, can affect one or both partners so it’s important that you consult your doctor to detect any problems which may be hindering you from conceiving.

1. Obesity can affect sperm quality – Almost 2.1 billion people are obese and studies show that there is an inverse relationship between semen quality and being overweight.
2. Smoking can disrupt the normal functions of the male sexual organs. Researchers concluded that the chemicals found in cigarettes, particularly nicotine and cadmium, had an adverse effect on sperm.
3. Alcohol consumption can cause infertility – Some studies suggest that excessive alcohol consumption can also result to decreased testosterone levels which can negatively affect sperm production and quality.
4. Stress – Men who are suffering from higher levels of perceived stress were found to have poorer sperm quality. However, further studies are needed to prove this since there are different kinds of stress which may have a physiological effect on humans.
5. The use and abuse of recreational drugs like marijuana can lead to a decrease in sperm concentration. Scientific research showed that smoking marijuana more than once a week caused a 28% decrease in sperm concentration and a 29% decrease in total sperm count.
6. Scrotal hyperthermia – the ideal temperature for the process of spermatogenesis is at 35°C. Exposure to high temperatures like saunas, hot water baths, and even sitting for long periods of time can have a negative impact on sperm concentration and motility. Excess insulation due to being overweight can also contribute to scrotal hyperthermia.
7. Other lifestyle factors – one’s occupation can also have an adverse effect on his reproductive health since daily exposure to extreme temperatures and excessive stress can lead to a decrease in sperm count. Other studies show that exposure to unhealthy amounts of radiation from cellphones can also result to decreased sperm concentration.

General disclaimer Always consult your doctor before taking any medicine. Your doctor will be in the best position to give the appropriate medical advice. For suspected undesirable drug reaction, seek medical attention immediately and report to the FDA at www.fda.gov.ph and UNILAB, Inc. at 8-864522-1 (8-UNILAB-1) or productsafety@unilab.com.ph. Always buy from your trusted drugstores and retailers.