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Medical practitioner
Dr Sabiha Anjum,
MBBS, DGO, FRM, (MRCOG UK)
Consultant Fertility and women’s health specialist,
Raya healthcare,
E City
Dr Sabiha Anjum,
MBBS, DGO, FRM, (MRCOG UK)
Consultant Fertility and women’s health specialist,
Raya healthcare,
E City
Male infertility is on a rise,in fact 40% of the factors in an infertile couple is because of the Male factor (another 40% being female and a 20% being unknown)
What’s actually causing male infertility?
There are environmental,physical and even emotional factors causing the increasing numbers.
Stress can be attributed as a major factor along with lifestyle issues.Given the mode of life,be it long sedentary working hours or the stress of hitting a deadline or the general lack of exercise along with wrong eating habits are contributing to health issues like diabetes,hypertension ,obesity which only add on to the fertility issues.
STI’s can cause infection of the male genitals impacting the sperm parameters.
Swelling of veins around the testes causes increased local temperature causing permanent damage to the sperms.
Sometimes trauma to the testicles or a few genetic disorders can lower the sperm count or can cause complete absence of sperms (azoospermia)
Even hormonal disorders like thyroid disorders or related to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus also impact the sperm.
What’s actually causing male infertility?
There are environmental,physical and even emotional factors causing the increasing numbers.
Stress can be attributed as a major factor along with lifestyle issues.Given the mode of life,be it long sedentary working hours or the stress of hitting a deadline or the general lack of exercise along with wrong eating habits are contributing to health issues like diabetes,hypertension ,obesity which only add on to the fertility issues.
STI’s can cause infection of the male genitals impacting the sperm parameters.
Swelling of veins around the testes causes increased local temperature causing permanent damage to the sperms.
Sometimes trauma to the testicles or a few genetic disorders can lower the sperm count or can cause complete absence of sperms (azoospermia)
Even hormonal disorders like thyroid disorders or related to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus also impact the sperm.
Are you prone to it?
Although only semen analysis can give an actual idea if you have any issues related to fertility,here’s a list that can indicate a possible damage:
- Aged more than 40
- Obese
- Have a habit of smoking/alcohol/weed/tobacco chewing
- Exposure to pesticides or mercury,lead etc
- Work in a high temperature zone
- Have or had varicocele or undescended testes
- Using or used anabolic steroids
- Have a history of STI
How to diagnose?
If you have concerns related to fertility,you need to consult an andrologist/Urologist.
A detailed physical and medical examination will be required and a semen analysis is done to find out if there is anything wrong and a couple of blood tests and imaging techniques like Ultrasound may be required further.
What can you do to maintain fertility?
- Eating foods rich in antioxidants helps a lot so take those green veggies and fruits and nuts
- Regular exercise to maintain your BMI
- Stop smoking,alcohol intake or any recreational drugs.
- Reduce your stress.
If you have been experiencing fertility issues as a couple,don’t delay the evaluation of male factor and there are many treatment modalities available to aid in conceiving.You can also freeze your sperm if you are battling health issues which need aggressive treatment.Talk to a fertility specialist.
