Causes and Prevention of Infertility in Men

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Table of Contents

Infertility defined
Causes of male infertility
Sperm production
Specific causes of male infertility
Other causes of male infertility – the masculine male
Prevention of infertility in men
Conclusion
References

Development in the human population is dependent on the ability of human beings to reproduce. Commentators on human population in the past have voiced concern about a possible population explosion due to increasing fertility levels among humans. Yet recent developments have raised concerns that are the exact reverse of these old concerns. Human population increases have been on the decline and, while female infertility has had its share contribution to this, male infertility has been identified as a major contributor to this state of affairs.

While many factors contribute to male infertility to what extent do modern lifestyles, which are marked by consumption of nutritionally deficient food, contribute to the problem?

Infertility defined

Infertility is defined as the failure of a couple to become pregnant after one year of unprotected sexual intercourse (Tarkan 2009). Infertility, according to Tarkan (2009), has been given many names including barrenness and the inability to conceive. While traditional stereotypes have tended to place the burden of inability to conceive on the woman, recent developments have shown that men, increasingly, have their fair share of contribution to problems of conception. When a couple has had unprotected sex for a period of one year and pregnancy is not achieved, this could be indicative of infertility “on one or both sexual partners” (“Male Infertility”, 2008). That men are significant contributors to the crisis of infertility is indicated by the fact that 40% of such cases are the result of problems with the male semen (“Male Infertility”, 2008).

Causes of male infertility

Male infertility is caused by several factors. At the outset, it is important to point out that the causes of this condition, many as they are, have not been conclusively studied and research on the definite causes of male infertility is ongoing. This, however, does not mean that doctors’ opinions on the causes of male infertility are mere speculation. On the contrary, much data has been collected on this condition so that doctors are able to address the problem of male infertility with a fair degree of confidence. To understand male infertility, it would be prudent to compare it with male fertility. Mason (1993) offers a guideline on male fertility that makes the understanding of infertility easier. “A broad definition of male fertility includes sperm production, sperm quality and transport mechanisms” (Mason 1993). Those three factors contribute immensely to cases of male infertility.

Sperm production

For a man to impregnate a woman there must be sexual activity and the production of sperm. Performance of the sexual act regularly is not only necessary for production of sperm but also aids in the enhancement of the movement of sperm. According to Mason (1993) therefore, regular sex improves chances of conception for the child-seeking couple than abstinence. Tied to this is the fact that regular ejaculation improves sperm production and therefore increases the chances of conception. For this reason, lack of regular sex should be considered a possible cause of male infertility. Not only should the man be able to produce sperm, he should be able to produce sperm of the right quality if conception is to be achieved. One of the primary causes of male infertility is the production of poor-quality sperm.

The factors that have been identified as contributing to the production of low-quality sperm are many and some are tied to modern lifestyles. Wheldon (2005) notes that some of the contributors to low-quality sperm, are environmental factors that are the natural consequence of increasing pollution on the planet. Sperm movement, as identified by Mason (1993) is critical to the conception process as the male semen has to fertilize the female egg for pregnancy to occur. While conception can be achieved in other ways other than sexual contact, it is much easier to achieve it through sexual intercourse (Mason, 1993).

Specific causes of male infertility

A man’s inability to impregnate a woman could be caused by a number of factors. Mason’s (1993) broad description of what constitutes male fertility not only sheds light on the reverse condition but also aids in identifying the specific causes of male infertility. Observing that the man needs to produce not just high-quality but also adequate sperm, Whiting (2001) attributes the majority of male-infertility cases to the production of deficient sperm. According to Whiting (2001) inadequate production of sperm is to blame for ninety percent of the cases of male infertility. While most men who lack the ability to impregnate a woman will be able to produce some sperm, some men actually produce no sperm at all. The latter condition is known as Azzospermia while the former is known as Olibospermia and both contribute, in varying degrees, to male infertility (Whiting, 2001). In making this observation, Whiting (2001) draws attention to the fact that most of the sperm released in an ejaculation is destroyed before reaching the egg and therefore the chances of conception are reduced drastically when the production of sperm is deficient. Agreeing with Mason (1993), Whiting (2001) observes that when a man’s sperm is healthy and able to move freely, the man cannot be considered infertile on the grounds of a low sperm count.

The contribution of environmental factors to low-quality sperm observed by Wheldon (2005) is emphasized by Whiting (2001) who attributes this increasingly common condition to the food consumed by the modern man. Consumption of food low in nutrients and high in fat contributes to production of low-quality sperm. Whiting (2001) further notes that sperm are at risk of oxidative damage and thus the need to consume food with enough antioxidants.

For sperm to be considered normal, and therefore capable of fertilizing the female egg, there are specific measures it must meet. The World Health Organization (WHO) “defines normal semen as having a concentration greater than 20 million sperm per milliliter” (Jequier, 2000). Jequier (2000) further notes that the concentration of sperm in semen varies from individual to individual and also will record different concentrations for the same individual during different times. The importance of consuming high-nutrient foods as recommended by Whiting (2001) therefore becomes critical in the production of good-quality sperm and therefore in prevention of male infertility.

One of the biggest causes of male infertility is the loss of sperm mobility. A man with perfectly healthy sperm will still be infertile if unable to deliver this to the female egg. Sperm mobility is interfered with by several factors and one of these will be infections to the male reproductive organs. While infections could prevent ejaculations, there are less severe cases that still contribute to infertility. Jequier (2000) observes that sometimes infertility is the result of reduced ejaculatory volumes. While this may not be the cause of infertility, it could aggravate an already bad situation. This reduction in volume can be caused by several factors including abnormalities with the seminal viscules. Whiting (2001) also observes that infections to the penis can lead to obstructions that will prevent the sperm from reaching the female egg. Some sexually transmitted diseases are capable of creating such obstructions and therefore contribute to male infertility. Such sexually transmitted diseases could also damage the tubes that deliver sperm in addition to blocking them. According to Whiting (2001) gonorrhea is one of the leading causes of blocked sperm ducts and therefore a major contributor to male infertility.

Apart from sexually transmitted diseases, male infertility can be caused by injuries to the testes (Segal & Mastroianni 2003). Such injuries easily lead to an inflammation of the testes and could lead to the condition known as orchitis. According to Segal and Mastrianni (2003), orchitis leads to inability to produce sperm as it leads to “the loss of the germ cells that make sperm”. In addition, this primary cause of the inability to produce sperm can be caused by failure of the testicles to descend during a child’s birth. When that happens, the child’s ability to produce sperm later could be permanently impaired (Segal & Mastrianni 2003). In addition to the damages caused to the testes that can cause male infertility, Whiting (2001) also notes that infertility could be the result when the testes are improperly developed. This could be caused by several conditions including “exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) a synthetic estrogen used in the 1950s and 1960s that caused cysts in the male reproductive tract” (Whiting 2001).

Individual lifestyles also contribute to male infertility. Tarkan (2009) observes that male infertility could be caused by improper use of common food and drugs. In the list of consumables that could cause or aggravate male infertility are alcohol – which is dangerous when consumed heavily, and cigarette smoking. In addition, over-indulgence in drugs such as marijuana could lead to male infertility as well as the use of some prescription drugs (Tarkan, 2009). Some of the prescription drugs that can lead to male infertility include drugs for the treatment of ulcers. To be avoided too are anabolic steroids. Other drugs that could interfere with a man’s reproductive ability are drugs for the treatment of high blood pressure (Bechtel, Stains, L. & Stains L.R. 1996).

Other causes of male infertility – the “masculine” male

While many reasons have been given for the rise in male infertility in recent years, Seshardi (1995) notes that the masculinity of newborn males has been on a steady decline. Citing evidence from environmental and biological studies, Seshardi (1995) observes that there has been a general rise in male infertility due to rise in the “exposure to estrogens (sex hormones or other substances capable of developing and maintaining female characteristics of the body) during critical periods of male reproductive development” (Seshadri, 1995). This development has led to the development of men with female characteristics and who therefore lack the ability to impregnate women. This “demasculinization” of the men was arrived at by studying similar characteristics in the male wildlife. While the jury on the estrogens and much to do with male infertility is still out, Seshardi’s (1995) gets support from Bechtel (1996) who, in recommending the maintenance of a small frame as a measure to fight male infertility, observe that overweight men expose their testicles to more heat than the slimmer men. “All that fat metabolizes testosterone into estrogen, which could affect sperm count” (Bechtel, 1996).

Prevention of infertility in men

The reasons that lead to male infertility provide a useful guideline to the measures that need to be pursued to correct the condition. Harmful lifestyles contribute to the condition and Howells observes that poor diets lead to poor sperm motility and low sperm count. Moreover tests excess body weight affects fertility with studies showing overweight men as producing “24% less testosterone than men of average weight” (Howells). Bechtel (1996) identifies some basic lifestyle changes that could reverse or mitigate male infertility. One such lifestyle change is avoiding or abandoning smoking. The dangers of cigarette smoke are underlined by Bechtel’s (1996) assertion that the habit can lead to a reduction in sperm count that can be as high as fifteen percent. Improved lifestyles are also credited for improved sperm count and improvements in sperm quality by Mason (1993) who observes that, due to the sensitivity of sperm production, “men of marginal fertility can be helped by making some changes to their life” (Mason 1993).

Castigating the current obesity epidemic that afflicts most modern men, Bechtel (1996) observes that the man who maintains a “boyish figure” preserves his sperm and therefore his fertility. In addition to maintaining a trim figure, Bechtel (1996) observes some other lifestyle changes that could impact a man’s fertility. One seemingly minor but important lifestyle practice that could help in the improvement of a man’s fertility is keeping the male reproductive organs, ad especially the testes, at the right temperature. The scrotum hangs outside the body for specific reasons – it is meant to keep the testicles at 4 degrees Farenheight below the body temperature. This temperature is important and exposing the testicles to heat much higher could damage the sperm. For this reason, it is recommended that a man keeps off tight underwear and avoids hot tubs (Bechtel 1996).

Some causes of male infertility can only be addressed by medical professionals. One such case is the situation where a child is born with testicles that are not distended from the body. In such a situation, the only remedy is the performance of surgery to bring the testicles into the scrotum as quickly as possible (Mason 1993). Other remedial measures that can be undertaken by medical professionals include treatment of sexually transmitted diseases that could be blocking the flow of sperm and therefore contributing to infertility. While gonorrhea is recognized as a likely contributor to male infertility, Mason (1993) also observes that it is extremely easy to cure when proper medical attention is sought. Simple surgical procedures also come in handy in unblocking the sperm ducts (Mason 1993). Similarly, where infertility is the result of orchitis, the help of a physician should be sought. Tarkan (2009) observes that men who are vaccinated against mumps not only escape the mumps infection but are also protected against orchitis.

Conclusion

While much has been written on male infertility, evidence available on this condition would seem to suggest that there is much that is yet to be learned on the subject. Perhaps Bechtel (1996) best captures the state of affairs in the discussion on male infertility by stating that most of what is called male infertility is actually an exaggeration as most men so-classified are assumed to be unable to produce sperm yet “rarely is a man totally spermless” (Bechtel 1996 p 294). Further, Bechtel (1996) observes that reproductive medicine is a relatively new field so that the need for continued research and specialized study need not be over-emphasized. Despite the many debatable issues on male infertility, what is quite clear is that a healthy lifestyle cannot be substituted for anything. While obesity and improper nutritional habits have been blamed for a myriad of health problems, the fact that such habits are thought to contribute to male infertility should make every individual rethink the place of fatty and low-nutrient foodstuffs. Moreover, observations by medical personnel about the contribution of destructive habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption to male infertility, coupled with the fact that these habits are also blamed for many other human afflictions should cement doctors’ instructions on the importance of observing moderation in consumption habits.

References

Bechtel, S., Stains, L & Stains, L.R. (1996). Sex. New York: Rodale.

Howells, R (n.d). Lifestyle factors in male infertility. Shared journey. Your complete path to fertility. Web.

Jequier, A.M. (2000). Male infertility. Perth: Wiley-Blackwell.

“Male infertility” (2008). What is infertility. Natural eye care. Web.

Mason, M. (1993). Male infertility – Men talking. New York: Routledge.

Segal, S.J., & Mastroianni, L.D. (2003). Hormone use in menopause & male andropause: A choice for women and men. New York: OUP.

Seshadri, B. (1995). Male infertility and world population. Contemporary review, 266(1549), 77+.

Tarkan, L. (2009). Are men overlooked at fertility centers?. The new york times. Web.

Wheldon, J. (2005). Why infertility is now a male crisis; Men, not women are more likely to need treatment. The daily mail p 15.

Whiting, D. (2001). Infertility facts, prevention, and treatment strategies.Healthwithnutrition.com. Web.

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