Understanding Male Fertility: Causes of Infertility & How to Improve Sperm Health

Historically, whether a man can reproduce offspring or not was never an issue of concern. In fact when couples tried to conceive, it was often the woman who was held responsible for the lack of children. Thanks to interventions in medical science, male fertility has been brought into the equation when seeking solutions for infertility. In many communities, conversations around male infertility are still uncomfortable, bringing about anxiety, shame, and guilt. 

The good news is that although many resources have been geared toward solving female infertility, there is an opportunity to redirect some of the conversations in order to facilitate dialogue in resolving male factor infertility. In this article, we shall be discussing the causes of male infertility in order to better understand the possible solutions that can be geared toward improving male fertility.

Common Causes of Male Infertility

In about 50 percent of the cases of reproductive challenges, male infertility has been the cause. In order to have healthy children, healthy sperm are required. There are several reasons why an otherwise healthy individual may have challenges in building their family. From a medical perspective, it could be because of low sperm count, poor motility or even DNA fragmentation. Let us look at these in a little more detail.

Low Sperm Count

Sperm count or sperm concentration is the number of sperm found in a semen sample. When a person has a low sperm count, they are disadvantaged because it decreases the chances of natural conception. The reason for this is that even in a healthy sperm sample, very few sperm make it anywhere close to the fallopian tube. Therefore, the more the sperm the higher the chances that a few may make it close enough for fertilization. A lower sperm count however does not mean that conception is not possible, it only makes natural conception more challenging.

Sperm Motility

This has to do with how well sperm move or swim. Motility is measured in two parameters, general movement and forward movement. Forward movement is particularly vital because it is the only way that sperm can travel from the vagina to the fallopian tube. When a person’s spemr has poor motility, it can prevent them from having children naturally, as sperm are unable to reach the egg and fertilize it. 

DNA Fragmentation

DNA fragmentation can prevent conception from happening, or lead to complications in pregnancy. The sperm cell contributes the other vital half of chromosomes necessary in the formation of a healthy embryo. The main causes of fragmented DNA are a person’s lifestyle, medical history, oxidative stress, and defects in maturing.  

Lifestyle Factors That Impact Sperm Health

Let us address how lifestyle choices and habits impact sperm health:

Smoking

When a person smokes cigarettes or nicotine based products, it increases reactive oxygen species in the body, and this is what causes oxidative stress. When oxidative stress increases, it affects a person’s sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology. As well, oxidative stress damages a person’s DNA.

Alcohol

Studies have shown that when a person consumes alcohol excessively, it affects hormone production negatively. When hormone production is destabilised, it affects the body’s ability to effectively produce semen and in turn, the quality of sperm produced. In some cases, this excess can lead to changes in a person's secondary sexual characteristics. This includes an increase in adipose tissue around the belly and hips, enlarged breasts and a decrease in body and facial hair.   

Stress

Stress affects most humans in some shape or form, and with the proper management, it is possible to ensure that it does not diminish the quality of life a person has. Psychological stress has a significant impact on men who are trying to build their families. It has been shown to impact the production of luteinizing hormone and testosterone. This in turn leads to low sperm production, which affects sperm count. 

Diet

Research has shown a connection between diet and sperm parameters. For healthy reproductive systems, whole grains, legumes, sea food, fruit and vegetables are vital to the production and preservation of healthy cells. As such, in reproductive medicine, the Mediterranean diet comes highly recommended for improving fertility in men.

How to Improve Sperm Quality Naturally

Having addressed how lifestyle choices and diet affect fertility, we shall now dive into how to improve fertility naturally.

Dietary Changes

The most cost effective and least invasive method of sperm quality improvement is a change in diet. Evaluate your eating habits and eliminate the overly processed foods, canned foods and junk food. Then increase your consumption of fruit, leafy vegetables, and whole grains. If need be, include dietary supplements.

Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs

Limit the intake of alcohol, or stop drinking altogether. Stop smoking and do not take drugs that have not been prescribed by a professional healthcare provider. If you need professional help to quit, do not hesitate to seek it out. 

Exercise and Weight Loss

Regular exercise is beneficial in many ways from stress reduction, hormonal regulation, building of strength and stamina. It is also vital to have a regular exercise regime if you are overweight. Obesity can lead to health complications and affect fertility negatively.  

Stress Management and Sleep

While life can bring its own stressful moments, it is important to manage high stress levels. Consult with a stress management professional if need be, as they can equip you with knowledge and tools to help you address stressful moments when they arise. As well, getting sufficient sleep is vital to your physical, psychological and hormonal wellbeing. 

When to See a Fertility Specialist

If you and your partner have been trying to conceive for some months (12 if you are under 35, and 6 if you are over 35) then it may be time to book a consultation with a fertility specialist. You will undergo some diagnostic testing to determine what the cause may be. Based on the results, they will advise you on what your next steps should be.  

Available Male Fertility Treatments at San Diego Fertility Clinic

Every individual is unique and at Dallas IVF, we know this all too well. Contact us for consultation and we shall guide you through the options available to you. We pride ourselves in giving professional, expert and compassionate care to everyone who walks through our doors. 

FAQs:

Why should I get a male fertility test?

Male factor infertility contributes to 50 percent of infertility cases and  Therefore fertility testing helps professional healthcare providers with the diagnostic information they require to identify any underlying issues, and determine treatment options.

How do I prepare for a semen analysis?

To prepare for a seman analysis, you need to abstain from sexual activity or any activity that could cause you to ejaculate. As well, limit your coffee and alcohol intake and avoid high heat sources to your testicles such as saunas and hot tubs. 

Is male fertility testing painful?

The actual testing is done on the semen sample and not the person, and is therefore not painful. As well, it is non-invasive and typically takes a few minutes to produce a fresh sperm sample, which is done by masturbating and ejaculating into a sterilized container.  

What happens if my test results show infertility?

Your doctor or fertility specialist will make recommendations after reviewing the results with you. These recommendations are based on your particular circumstance.