Men and Their significance . Men and Infertility

Nutrition and diet?

• Nutrition has a direct impact on the sperm potency.  Up to half of infertility problems can be traced to men.

• Research shows that dads who drink heavily ( the equivalent of two drinks a day) ,  during the month prior to conception have babies who weigh on average 6.5 ounces less than other babies. Low birth weight is a serious medical condition that can affect your child's health and behavior for the rest of his/her life.

• Several studies show that even short-term zinc deficiencies can reduce semen volume and testosterone levels. Great sources include extra-lean ground beef (a three-ounce serving has 4.5 mg), baked beans (a one-cup serving has 3.55 mg), and dark chicken meat (2.38 mg per three ounces).

• Infertility researchers at the University of Wisconsin at Madison suggest that consuming 1,000 mg of calcium and 10 micrograms of vitamin D each day may improve men's fertility. Good sources of calcium include low-fat milk (an eight-ounce glass has 414 mg) and yogurt (one cup has 302 mg of calcium). You'll find vitamin D in milk (an eight-ounce glass has two mcg) and salmon (a three-ounce serving has eight mcg).

Lifestyle Choices: Substance abuse

Drugs such as steroids, cigarettes, marijuana and alcohol can negatively impact your health in many ways, including greatly affecting your testicular function, leading to abnormally shaped sperm, decreased sperm motility and/or decreased sperm production.  Drug use can also cause birth defects.  If you avoid drugs now, you can improve your changes of conceiving in the future.  www.health.org | ASRM’s Paper on Smoking and Infertility (Microsoft Word document)

• Alcohol:  While an occasional drink is generally considered safe, studies show that daily consumption of wine, beer, or hard liquor can decrease testosterone levels and sperm counts, and increase the number of abnormal sperm in your ejaculate.
• Smoking:  Recent research confirms that men who smoke have fewer sperm in their ejaculate.   Second-hand smoke is dangerous for your  partner and the fetus.
• Marijuana and cocaine can decrease sperm's motility and can affect the brain chemistry responsible for releasing reproductive hormones.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases STDs: such as chlamydia and gonorrhea are a leading cause of infertility, often asymptomatic, can be prevented by regular use of condoms.  www.cdc.gov | ASRM’s Paper on Sexually Transmitted Infections and Infertility

Environmental Factors

 In addition,  may also experience decreased sperm production for this reason.

• Exposure to high heat, such as Hot tubs, saunas, men whose occupations require long hours of sitting, tight under garments can all overheat your testicles and lower sperm production. Wear loose fitting pants and boxer shorts.
• Bicycle seats.  A study from the University of Southern California School of Medicine found that a bicycle seat's steady pressure on the groin area can damage arteries and nerves.
• Contact sports such as football, hockey, soccer, basketball, baseball, horseback riding, and vigorous sex.  Can cause traumatic injury to the genitals, which can hurt your ability to produce sperm or ejaculate.  Wear protective gear.
• Stress. Studies from the Department of Physiology at the Medical College of Ohio show that even minimal stress can cause decreased sperm count and decreased testosterone level in men.  So sit back and relax!
• Workplace hazards. Exposure to radiation and chemicals can damage sperm, lower sperm counts, and cause genetic defects in children, according to research from McGill University in Montreal. If you're exposed to any hazards on the job, ask for a temporary reassignment.
• Medications. Ask your doctor about the sexual side effects of any prescription drugs you are taking. Many medications, including those used to treat blood pressure, ulcers, cancer, seizures, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and even bacterial infections can cause fertility problems and lower sperm counts.

Age

The ability to conceive decreases with aging, affecting sperm shape and motility. While there is no maximum age at which men are not capable of conceiving a child, aging does have an effect. To improve your chances of conceiving, consider your age an important factor.  ASRM’s Paper on Aging and Infertility (Microsoft Word document)

If you have any question or concerns, ask your doctor about more information on the risks to your fertility. 

This service is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment. If you are concerned about your health or that of a child's, please consult your family's health care provider immediately.