Other Male Infertility Factors

Let us touch on some other possible male infertility factors:

• Male Infertility Factors #1 - Cancer of the Testicle:

  A man's testicles usually differ slightly in size, shape or position. But if one testicle looks larger or heavier and has a painless lump in it that is slowly growing, it is prudent to check if the lump is malignant.

  If it is found to be malignant, treatment should be sought early by the surgical removal of the affected testicle, or else the cancer cells will spread to the rest of the body.

  If the disease is not spread to the other testicle, the man's potency and fertility will not be affected as he can still father a child with the one remaining healthy testicle.

• Male Infertility Factors #2 - Cancer Treatment for Other Illnesses:

  Cancer treatment for other illnesses by chemotherapy or radiation can cause irreversible male infertility by permanently altering sperm production.

  If your spouse has to undergo a cancer treatment, do discuss future conception plan with his medical specialist. If the treatment can be delayed, it is possible to make prior deposits at a sperm bank for future use.

• Male Infertility Factors #3 - Anti-Sperm Antibodies:

  Sometimes, the man's own body can develop antibodies in his semen that target and attack his own sperm and cause male infertility.

  The anti-sperm antibodies actually attach themselves to the sperm making it difficult for them to swim through the vaginal mucus and to penetrate the egg.

  Anti-sperm antibodies can develop when a man's sperm has a chance to come into contact with blood. This can happen after a vasectomy, an infection, trauma, or injury to the testicles, causing a damage or injury that break the blood-testes barrier that protects the sperm from the body's immune system.

  The usage of drugs to suppress the antibodies is not as effective as achieving conception through artificial insemination follows by IVF.

• Male Infertility Factors #4 - The Mumps:

  Having mumps in childhood can cripple sperm production and result in male infertility later on in life.

• Male Infertility Factors #5 -Other Viral and Bacterial Infections:

  Any viral and bacterial infections of the urogenital tract affecting the penis, bladder and urethra can compromise a man's fertility.

  Prostatitis (an infection of the prostate), Orchitis (an inflammation of the testicles), Epididymitis (an inflammation or infection of the Epididymis), and sexually transmitted diseases such as Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia can all lead to male infertility.

  These infections can be treated with antibiotics. However, they can potentially leave scarring that inhibits sperm from leaving a man's body.

  If your spouse has a discharge and redness, and experiences pain during urination or intercourse, get him to consult a doctor.

• Male Infertility Factors #6 - Torsion of the Testicle:

  A torsion of the testicle happens when a man's testicle get twisted as a result of injury or sudden movement. The scrotum will swell causing severe pain. The swelling in the testicle will restrict blood flow.

  Sometimes no treatment is required as the torsion comes undone by itself. If you find this happening to your spouse, even when he has recovered, advise him to consult his doctor as this problem may recur. Sometimes, a surgery is necessary to straighten out the gland and stitch it in place so that it cannot twist again.

  If a twisted testicle is left untreated, the affected gland may die and shrivel and results in male infertility.

• Male Infertility Factors #7 - Testicular Injury Due to Sports and Work:

  The male reproductive organ is so vulnerable and susceptible to a variety of sports and work injuries that can render him infertile.

  A man can sustain a ruptured Epididymis, torn Vas Deferens, and his testicles, prostate gland and bladder can be easily damaged too.

• Male Infertility Factors #8 - Illnesses:

  Do you know that even a minor illness like a simple flu that your spouse has a few months back can also temporarily affect his sperm production for that period?

  Needless to say, chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and more severe illnesses like spinal cord injuries and paralysis may result in longer lasting male infertility.

• Male Infertility Factors #9 - Medications:

  Not all medicine prescribed by your doctor are safe to consume if your spouse is already experiencing some infertility problems. His doctor should be informed of his conditions so that the medications prescribed will not affect his fertility.

  Some prescription drugs such as antidepressants, blood-pressure medications and some types of steroids can have a detrimental effect on his sperm formation.

  In most cases any damage to the sperm is temporal, once he stops taking the medications, his sperm will return to normal.

• Male Infertility Factors #10 - Lifestyle Habits - Drug Use, Smoking, Alcohol, Caffeine and a Poor Diet:

  Lifestyle habits; what your spouse consume and what he does will all have an impact on his ability to father a child.

  Drugs such as marijuana, heroin and cocaine are harmful to male fertility.

  Smoking may result in long-lasting damage to sperm quality and quantity.

  Alcohol decreases testosterone and can cause Varicoceles.

  Too much caffeine can have a negative impact on the reproductive function of a man as well.

  Last but not least, a proper diet is necessary to ensure sufficient nutrients for male healthy reproductive function. He should consume enough Vitamins A, B, C, and E, minerals such as zinc, selenium, and chromium, and essential fatty acids and amino acids.

• Male Infertility Factors #11 - Environmental Toxins:

  Environmental toxins pose potential health hazards and can also cause male infertility.

  If your spouse is exposed to chemical products frequently, he may have a higher risk of developing problems in his sperm.

  Potentially harmful toxins can be found in paints (lead, cadmium and mercury), heavy metals (aluminium, copper and selenium), varnish, solvents, adhesives, insulation materials, detergents, fertilizers and pesticides. Radiation will cause permanent damage to sperm and render a man infertile.

  Remind your spouse to take proper precautions when working with such toxins.

• Heat:

  You already know that the testicles need to remain cooler than the rest of the body in order to produce healthy sperm. Thus prolonged exposure to heat can compromise your spouse's fertility. Tight-fitting underwear is no good for his body. Using the hot tub or sauna excessively, or even riding a motocycle for long distance ride too often are activities that he should avoid if you are planning for a family.

• Male Infertility Factors #12 - Execessive or Inadequate Exercise:

  An adequate amount of exercise can contribute to a healthy blood circulation, proper functioning of the endocrine system and promote a man's fertility as well.

  However, exercises can become harmful when they are done in an extreme manner, putting strain on the glandular system and depriving the body of adequate nutrition for healthy sperm production.

• Male Infertility Factors #13 - Obesity:

  Obesity is also a contributing factor to male infertility as the extra inches in his belly will make it difficult for him to deposit his sperm near to the cevix.

• Male Infertility Factors #14 - Vasectomy:

  A Vasectomy is an effective means of birth control. In this surgery, the Vas Deferens is cut to prevent sperm from getting out of the urethra.

  If a man changes his mind later on in life and wants to reverse the process, a microsurgery could be done to repair the Vas Deferens. The success rate of this operation is dependant on the type of orginal procedure used for the vasectomy and how long it has been since it was done.

• Male Infertility Factors #15 - Psychological Factors:

  Psychological factors can have a direct or indirect impact on male infertility.

  Factors such as stress and anxiety can affect normal hormonal functions and disrupt sperm production. Depression can affect a man's mood to copulate.