Unfortunately, infertility in men can hardly be considered a rarity: statistics confirm that approximately 40% of the male population of the planet faces this problem. Inability to produce offspring is worth considering if the partner’s pregnancy does not occur within a year of active sexual activity without the use of contraceptives.
Infertility in men: causes
The causes of infertility in a strong half of humanity are many. Therefore, they should be considered in more detail:
- Inflammatory processes can affect primarily the quality of sperm. For example, urethritis and prostatitis can lead to decreased sperm motility. First, the low activity of germ cells reduces the likelihood of fertilization, and as the disease complicates, it completely leads to infertility.
- Infectious diseases, especially sexually transmitted diseases, are considered to be another common cause. After all, infections most often cause inflammation of an organ of the male reproductive system. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are considered especially dangerous. It is worth remembering that any sexually transmitted diseases require immediate treatment.
- Infertility in men can occur against a background of hormonal imbalance. The cause of the hormone level violation can be either an endocrine system disease or age. In any case, the result is a deficiency of testosterone and, as a result, problems with erection and impaired production of germ cells.
- Sometimes, fertilization may partially or completely disappear due to genital injuries or the presence of a tumor.
- Some diseases can cause infertility in men. For example, it is not a secret for anyone that a severe form of mumps or mumps, especially in adulthood, can deprive a man of reproductive function.
- Abnormalities or some kind of congenital anatomical structure can also lead to inability to have children. An example is phimosis or abnormal urethra.
- You can not discount the mental state. Constant stress and nervous tension negatively affect the work of the whole organism, including the reproductive system.
- Bad habits can also cause infertility. It has been proven that drugs, alcohol and nicotine negatively affect the condition of the testicles, reduce sperm quality and the number of sperm produced.
- Occasionally, the cause of the disease can be the constant exposure to high temperatures, wearing tight, tight underwear.
- Continuous exposure to chemicals (for example, when working in hazardous industries, etc.) can adversely affect the ability to procreate.
Infertility in men: treatment and prevention
To begin with, it is worth remembering that if you suspect infertility, you should immediately consult a doctor, and both partners must do this. Only after a thorough check and analysis can a specialist find out the reason for the inability to have children. And already treatment directly depends on the cause.
Drug treatment of infertility is advisable if the disease is caused by some concomitant diseases. For example, in the presence of sexually transmitted infections, a course of taking antibiotics is necessary. If the reason is a decrease in hormone levels, then the doctor will prescribe treatment with the appropriate hormonal drugs. In some cases, it is necessary to take immunomodulators and some homeopathic remedies. And, of course, an integral part of the treatment is a proper diet, an appropriate regimen of rest and work, physical activity and rejection of bad habits.
In some cases, surgical intervention is necessary. This method is used if there is some obstruction in the genitals that interferes with the normal release of sperm. Surgery will help in cases where the cause of infertility is a cyst, benign tumor, inguinal hernia. Sometimes surgeons can even eliminate some anatomical abnormalities.
Unfortunately, modern medicine cannot always restore a man's ability to fertilize. But this does not mean at all that spouses cannot have children. Do not forget about artificial insemination or the search for a sperm donor.