Archive for the ‘Male Infertility’ Category

Infertility Isn’t Only a Woman’s Issue

Monday, February 8th, 2010

Too often, people tend to think of infertility as being a female issue.  Though this is probably due to the fact that women are the ones carrying the children, there’s as much of a likelihood that a couple’s inability to conceive is a male problem as that it is a female one.

Statistics vary on how often couples’ conception problems are related to female issues as opposed to males — some sources say a third of fertility problems is due to the female’s infertility, a third is due to the male’s infertility and a third is due to unknown circumstances.  Other sources have the figures at 40%, 40% and 20%.  But the crux of the studies show that men have just as much chance of having infertility issues as do women.

It’s time to stop thinking of infertility as something that’s primarily related to women.  Truly, it’s a condition that’s “equal opportunity”.

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  • When Do You Tell a Friend or Family Member about Your Infertility Struggles?

    Friday, August 14th, 2009

    000-front-cover-q75-351x500“When should I tell people about my/our infertility?” 

    It’s a question that has no specific answer.

    Some couples and individuals choose to tell people right away that they’re having difficulty conceiving.  To them, it’s the obvious thing to do.  Others never talk about their struggles with infertility at all, believing it’s an issue that’s best kept under wraps (maybe even forever.)

    Though there are no clear-cut answers as to when you should let the proverbial cat out of the bag, you do have to be prepared for what people are going to say if and when you choose to “come out” about your infertility.  After all, like it or lump it, some folks may respond lovingly… and others may not.  This means you have to be ready for almost anything. 

    Fortunately, if you’re working with clinic that specializes in reproductive science issues, you’ll have terrific access to professionals who can help you navigate the waters ahead and steel yourself for any questions, responses or comments that may come your way.

    And, of course, don’t let the possibility of a few uncouth statements deter you from reaching out.  If you want to tell someone of your infertility, go for it.  But if you’re not certain, there’s nothing wrong with keeping it under wraps for a little while longer.  In the end, it’s up to you.

    READER QUESTION:  When did you choose to tell people about your struggle with infertility?

    Cell Phone Use and Male Infertility

    Friday, July 10th, 2009

    Guys who use their cell phone for prolonged periods of time may be inadvertently contributing to their infertility problems.  So says a news item from WebMD

    Holding the cell to one’s ear isn’t the culprit; it’s when hands-free devices are used (think Bluetooth) and the cell phone is placed in the man’s lap (if sitting), in his pocket or snapped on his waistband.  Small doses of radiation from the cell phone can actually contribute to male infertility, according to researchers.

    As noted in the article:

    Semen exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic waves emitted from cell phones had higher levels of damaging free radicals, lower sperm motility (the ability of the spermto move and swim) and sperm viability (the percentage of live sperm), and possibly greater oxidative stress…

    For men and their partners who are having trouble conceiving naturally, these findings may provide a clue to their personal fertility mystery.

    Male Fertility and SSRIs

    Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

    If you’re a man who’s taking an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) like Paxil, you may be inadvertantly lowering your fertility.

    A recent report released by New York-Presbyterian and Weill Cornellcontains some cautionary notes for males who are actively trying to have a child with a partner.  As it turns out, in some men, SSRIs alter DNA (referred to as “DNA fragmentation” in the report), thus creating problems with fertility.

    Of course, while the New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell evidence may be an important clue to solving certain male infertility issues, it doesn’t necessarily mean that men should abandon their antidepressant medications. 

    As always, males should discuss all issues with their doctors before considering weaning themselves off of any SSRI.

    Frequency of Sex May Be Linked to Fertility in Males

    Friday, July 3rd, 2009

    tn_loveroseIn a recent Times of London article, Australian researchers announced that the key to boosting men’s sperm counts might lie in the number of times they have sex each week or month.

    According to a study, males who had sex every other day had a more substantial sperm count than those who did not.  This seems to contradict the age-old notion that for men to boost their sperm count and quality, several days’ abstinence is needed.

    Obviously, each couple’s fertility issues are unique; however, as the researchers of the study noted, having sex every other day probably isn’t going to harm sperm counts.  Additionally, it could be a good way to release any built-up stress between partners struggling with infertility.

    Infertility Could Be a Reality for Male Elite Cyclists

    Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

    tn_img_5727From the BBC comes a report that links male elite cyclists and infertility issues.

    According to the article, the overall sperm quality of elite cyclists drop radically, mainly because of their vigorous training regimens.  In fact, the Spanish researchers who conducted the survey of male elite cyclists even recommended those cyclists consider freezing their sperm before beginning their cycling careers.

    However, this isn’t a cause for you to pitch your ten speed.  In the study, the men who were examined cycled more than 186 miles per week, much more than your average Joe.

    Because the same drop in sperm quality wasn’t seen in long-distance swimmers or runners, the problem may lie with a number of factors, including the heat generated from the cyclists’ clothing or the pressure of the seat against the groin area of the cyclist.

    Though this may not affect you or your partner, it’s worth considering the possibility that certain types of high intensity exercise routines could lead to fertility issues.

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    Men Uncomfortable about Fertility Issues

    Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

    Recent survey results released by Fertility LifeLines(TM) reveals some interesting facts regarding male infertility.

    Some of the highlights of the survey include the following stats, many of which may help explain why men sometimes take a very low-key approach to fertility:

    28% of the males who participated in the survey said they felt “embarrassed” when dealing with fertility issues;

    39% of the males who participated in the survey felt sad or depressed when dealing with fertility issues.

    45% of the surveyed men said they would wait more than a year before they would seek medical attention for fertility issues.

    The upshot of these findings? 

    It’s apparent that our society needs to do a better job of educating young men on the facts regarding conception and fertility.  And slowly but surely, we’re heading in the right direction.



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