Male Infertility: Myths, Facts, and Treatment Approaches

As more couples turn to fertility clinics for infertility treatment, it is important to distinguish between male reproductive myths and male reproductive facts. Conflicting information about what to eat, what to wear, and how to exercise can leave anyone wondering what is fact and what is fiction. 

Myth: Male fertility does not decline with age: 

Male fertility declines with age, especially after the age of 40. This doesn’t mean a man can’t have children, but the chances are lower than for men in their 20s because sperm quality declines over time. 

Myth: Infertility is always a woman’s problem: 

A common myth regarding male fertility is that the cause of infertility must lie in the woman. One-third of all infertility cases occur in men. 

Myth: Tight underwear or pants can cause infertility in men:

Wearing tight-fitting underwear or pants can increase scrotal temperature, and to increase fertility, scrotum temperature should be 3 to 4 degrees above the normal human body temperature of 98.6° F. Need to tone it down. There is. That being said, there is no scientific evidence that tight clothing causes infertility. 

Myth: Frequent ejaculation leads to male infertility:

The number of times a man ejaculates has nothing to do with his fertility. Some studies suggest that frequent ejaculation from intercourse or masturbation may improve sperm motility. This same study showed no effect on semen volume or sperm shape. 

Myth: All men with erectile dysfunction are infertile: 

Erectile dysfunction conditions are not the cause of infertility, but depending on the underlying cause of ED, they may be associated with erectile dysfunction conditions. 

Myth: A man’s fertility is based solely on his physical health:

Physical health and age can influence infertility, but neither is the only cause of male fertility problems. 

5 facts you may not know about male fertility

Men also have a biological clock: 

Our society has led us to believe that only women have a running “clock.” Despite the fact that men in their 80s are known to conceive babies, men’s clocks are also ticking. Although there is no clear breaking point for men, men’s fertility begins to decline around the age of 40 to 45, and the quality of their sperm also declines. 

Smoking has a negative effect on male fertility. Men who smoke may have lower sperm counts and take longer to conceive than non-smokers. Second-hand smoke is also harmful and can affect a man’s sperm quality. Smoking affects sperm DNA and hormone production. 

Although avoidable, STDs are the leading cause of fertility problems in men. If sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea or chlamydia go undiagnosed, the infection or inflammation can damage sperm. 

High temperatures can affect a man’s sperm count. Spending long hours in saunas, spas, or hot bath facilities, holding a laptop to your crotch, or working in high-temperature environments can increase the temperature of your testicles and cause abnormalities in sperm count and quality. What you eat affects your sperm. 

To keep your sperm healthy, it’s best to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Eating fatty or highly processed foods can lead to obesity, which can affect sperm health. Zinc (found in shellfish, poultry, eggs, and legumes), folate (found in spinach, kale, and lettuce), and selenium (Brazil nuts) are beneficial for sperm health.

Often, the exact cause of infertility cannot be found. Even if the exact cause is unknown, your doctor may be able to recommend treatments or procedures that may lead to pregnancy. 

If you are infertile, it is recommended that your female partner also undergo testing. There may be specific treatments recommended for your partner. Alternatively, you may find that pursuing assisted reproductive technology is appropriate in your situation. Treatments for male infertility include: 

Surgery. For example, varicoceles can often be surgically corrected or the blocked vas deferens repaired. A previous vasectomy can be reversed. If sperm are not present in the ejaculate, sperm retrieval techniques are often used to retrieve sperm directly from the testicles or epididymis. 

Treatment of infections. Antibiotic treatment may cure genital infections, but does not necessarily restore fertility. 

Treatment of intercourse problems. Medication and counseling can help improve fertility for conditions such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. 

Hormone therapy and drug therapy. If your infertility is caused by high or low levels of certain hormones or a problem with how your body uses hormones, your doctor may recommend hormone replacement or medication. 

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). ART treatment includes normal ejaculation, surgical extraction, or collection of sperm from a donor individual, depending on the specific case and wishes. The sperm are then inserted into the female genital tract or used for in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. 

When treatment does not work: 

In rare cases, male fertility problems cannot be treated and the man may no longer be able to have children. Your doctor may recommend that you and your partner consider using donor sperm or adopting.

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