Behind the scenes: maximizing male fertility

Behind the scenes: maximizing male fertility

The male reproductive system.

What can stand in the way of fertility?

Certain medical conditions can interfere with the proper functioning of the reproductive process. They include the following:

• Lack of physical structures or blockages--Some men are born without a vas deferens or with tubal blockages. These conditions are easily treated by surgery, according to Dr. Morgentaler.
• Varicocele--The development of varicocele, or varicose veins in the scrotum, which occurs in 10% of men, can sometimes affect sperm production. Removing the veins generally boosts fertility.
• Retrograde ejaculation--A condition in which semen travels in the wrong direction back into the bladder rather than being released through the penis. This can be caused by prostate and other types of surgery in the pelvic area. Drugs that close the opening from the urethra to the bladder can alleviate this problem.
• Diabetes and multiple sclerosis--These conditions can impair the nerves that promote normal ejaculation.
• Infections--Urinary tract, prostate, or tubal infections can cause blockages that can be treated by antibiotics. Gonorrhea and chlamydia sexually transmitted infections can scar the epididymis (where sperm are stored); however, they can be treated by microsurgery.

Maintaining your fertility

The average male produces 60 to 100 million sperm per milliliter (ml) of semen. Low sperm counts are not considered a problem until they get as low as 20 million per ml, which is diagnosed as oligospermia (oligo=few). That may still sound like an enormous number, but statistics show that it is more difficult for couples to conceive at this level.

Conception is difficult at low sperm levels, because even at full count, only a fraction of sperm survive the difficult journey from the vagina through the uterus to the fallopian tubes, where conception takes place. The sperm must be strong swimmers. A man can have a low sperm count but still successfully conceive if his sperm have good motility.

Semen analysis can analyze the quantity and quality of your sperm. If your sperm count is critically low, a drug called clomiphene citrate, which stimulates testosterone production, can sometimes boost sperm creation.

The key to maintaining healthy fertility, according to Dr. Morgentaler, is prevention. There are no magic potions or vitamins that boost fertility. "Men do just fine with their fertility," says Dr. Morgentaler, without any special concessions.

The temperature of the testicles is one of the most significant factors in fertility. Testicles don't produce sperm well at high temperatures. That's why nature, in its infinite wisdom, placed the testicles a few inches from the body. This keeps them cool. Men with undescended testicles have difficulties producing sperm.

Morgentaler reports that men who wear tight pants and/or tight briefs, regularly use saunas, jacuzzis, hot tubs,or whirlpools or even take frequent hot baths can have lower sperm counts. Some of his patients' sperm counts have gone up when they stopped these activities or changed to looser fitting clothing.

Exercise also generates heat but doesn't interfere with fertility. That's because sweating during exertion cools the body. Even marathon runners don't have problems producing sperm, according to Morgentaler.

Other factors that can adversely affect fertility include:

• Sports injuries--Take care to protect your testicles while playing sports. If a sport, like football, requires a cup, it's a good idea to wear one, according to Morgentaler. Because it's not unheard of for men to be hit in the testicles with a golfball or a tennis ball, it makes good sense to wear a cup whenever you participate in physical activity.
• Exposure to chemicals--Herbicides and pesticides can affect fertility. If you use them in your garden, be sure to follow instructions carefully and take appropriate precautions. Pesticide residues in food, however, have not been shown to affect fertility.
• Radiation--Men who are regularly exposed to radiation such as lab technicians may experience fertility problems. If you have X-rays anywhere near the testicles, be sure to have the technician shield your groin area with a lead blanket. The radiation from computer or television screens hasn't been found to be a problem.
• Smoking--A review of the literature clearly indicates that cigarette smoking is associated with modest reductions in semen quality including number of sperm (23% reduction) and motility (13% reduction).
• Prescription medications --Various drugs have been found to affect fertility:
  • Azulfadine - used to treat colitis.
  • Cimetidine - used for peptic ulcer.
  • Calcium channel blockers - used to treat high blood pressure, although they are usually not prescribed during the reproductive years.
  • Chemotherapy - used to treat cancer; toxic to all cells, including sperm.