Things you need to know about male infertility
Male infertility is one of the most common issues. In approximately 20% of couples, the issue lies solely in the male partner. Male infertility happens because of low sperm production, irregular sperm function and/or blockages. However, it should be noted that about 1% of males don’t have sperm in their ejaculate. Let’s go over the symptoms that might occur.
The Symptoms
The biggest one is, obviously, inability to conceive a child. There are several other signs, as well. Although these indications mostly go unnoticed, let’s talk about some of the biggest symptoms related to the inability to conceive a child.
- Sexual issues. Oftentimes, people have issues when it comes to ejaculation. Their amount of fluid is small, it doesn’t contain nearly enough sperm to impregnate the partner. Other big symptoms related to sex are: reduced libido and ED;
- Testicles pain;
- Reoccurring/ recent upper respiratory tract infection (URI or URTI) or lower respiratory tract infection (LRI or LRTI);
- Difficulties with smelling;
- Enlarged breasts in men;
- Little to no facial/body hair, along with other signs of hormonal issues;
- Low sperm count.
The Causes
The most widespread cause can be classified simply as “sperm production issues”. This is, of course, an umbrella term. Let’s split all the other causes into three categories. The first one would be medical causes, this category includes causes related to health issues and treatments.
Medical causes:
- Infection;
- Tumors;
- Antisperm antibodies;
- Hormonal imbalance;
- Undescended testicles.
The second category is environmental causes, the ones related to exposure to harmful elements.
Environmental causes:
- Radiation;
- Overheating of the testicles. Although there’s no cohesive proof, it would be wise to stop frequent sauna/hot tub visits;
- Lead exposure;
- Industrial chemicals.
The last category: miscellaneous causes related to lifestyle and overall health. Miscellaneous causes include drug use, alcoholism, tobacco smoking. high stress levels, excessive weight problems and others.
In conclusion, it’s important to note that this is not a death sentence. There are many ways to treat this serious condition. Don’t lose hope.