Male infertility: myths and truth
Infertility is a delicate problem. A lot of speculation is associated with it. Let's break down the most common rumors about male fertility and find out which is true and which is myth.
If there is an erection, then a man is not infertile
It is a myth. Erectile function and fertility are two different things. Generally not comparable. Fertility refers to a man's ability to procreate. Even in cases where there are absolutely no living sperm in the semen, a man may be all right with an erection.
If a man has had mumps, he is sterile
This is partly true. There really is a risk. According to statistics, if a man has had mumps (mumps), changes in the ejaculate are diagnosed in 13% of cases.
Infertility after mumps is associated with a complication of the disease such as inflammation of the testicles (orchitis). After suffering infectious orchitis, 35-50% of adult men (not children!) Have processes of testicular atrophy and a decrease in their size. This can lead to a decrease in the number and mobility of spermatozoa up to their complete absence (azoospermia). However, the latter complication, fortunately, is rather rare.
The degree to which the infection affects the body depends on whether one or both testicles were involved in the pathological process, as well as on the individual characteristics of the body and the response of the immune system. If a man had unilateral orchitis with mumps, the probability of infertility is 17%, with bilateral inflammation - 70-80%. 1
Promiscuous sex and masturbation lead to infertility
In fact, the number of partners does not affect fertility. But promiscuous intercourse and unprotected sex are a risk factor for contracting sexually transmitted infections, which, if not properly treated, can lead to infertility. They often go on without symptoms, and the man may not even know that he is sick.
When it comes to masturbation, there are no studies that prove a link between masturbation and infertility.
The shape of the panties affects male fertility
This is a controversial statement, but recent evidence suggests that there is indeed a relationship between the type of underwear and male fertility.
Spermatogenesis in humans normally occurs at temperatures slightly below body temperature. Therefore, clothes that press the scrotum to the body can disrupt the maturation of the germ cells due to overheating, as well as due to a deterioration in the blood supply to the testicles. According to research, amateur boxers have a 25% higher sperm concentration on average than those who wear other types of underpants. 2
Beer contains female sex hormones and leads to infertility in men
You often come across the statement that beer contains female hormones and the use of this drink leads to infertility.
This is not entirely true. Yes, beer is brewed with hops, and hops contain phytoestrogens. But in order for these substances to have some effect on the hormonal balance, a person needs to drink about 20 tons of beer at a time. 3
Nevertheless, if a man plans to become a father, he should not get carried away with beer. After all, like any other alcoholic beverage, beer has a negative effect on sperm quality, increasing the proportion of defective sperm in the ejaculate. Fertilization of a woman's egg with such a sperm can cause genetic disorders in the baby.
Smoking leads to infertility
It's true. Tobacco smoke contains harmful compounds that can reduce male fertility. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, including in the organs of the reproductive system, which leads to impaired erectile function and spermatogenesis, resulting in an increased risk of impotence and infertility.
Under the influence of nicotine, the number of motile spermatozoa decreases, but there are more abnormal germ cells. 4
Therefore, quitting smoking is a mandatory stage in preparing for conception for future dads.
Sauna use impairs sperm quality
It's true. Sperm cells "love" the coolness, and at elevated temperatures, the process of their maturation is disrupted. Therefore, it is better to refuse to visit the sauna or bath during pregnancy planning. The same applies to heated seats in a car.
Passion for gyms leads to male infertility
Physical activity and weightlifting alone do not affect sperm quality. The myth about the dangers of gyms is associated, rather, with the use of anabolic steroids in order to increase muscle mass.
These drugs contain testosterone and can interfere with potency and fertility. Despite the fact that some doctors prescribe testosterone preparations in order to "improve the spermogram", with prolonged use of testosterone leads to the opposite effect - "pharmacological castration." The fact is that if the body stably receives doses of testosterone from the outside, its natural production stops. In addition, the hormone from the drug enters the bloodstream, while testosterone concentration in the testicles and gonads decreases.
If a man already has a child in another marriage, he cannot be infertile
It is a myth. Reproductive health problems in a man can arise regardless of having children from previous marriages. Many factors affect male fertility, and if a few years ago everything was fine, this does not at all guarantee that a man is capable of conceiving even now.
You can not be examined, not treated, and if you have problems, immediately go to IVF
No. It is necessary to be examined and try to identify the cause of the decrease in fertility in any case. Without a diagnosis and clarification of the cause of infertility, an expensive IVF procedure may be useless. In addition, the examination can show that infertility is curable, and pregnancy is possible without IVF.
Very often, you can improve the quality of sperm by taking special vitamin and mineral complexes. For example, it has been scientifically confirmed that a man's intake of the Speroton complex increases the likelihood of pregnancy in his partner: by 15% with a 3-month intake and by 26.7% with a 6-month intake.
Speroton contains L-kartynin, vitamin E, folic acid, trace elements selenium and zinc. L-carnitine improves the maturation processes of sperm 5, increases their concentration and motility. 6 Vitamin E increases sperm motility and vitality 7, folic acid improves sperm morphology, zinc is involved in the synthesis of hormones that are responsible for spermatogenesis 8, selenium increases libido 9.
Speroton is recommended for men both to prepare for natural conception and when planning an IVF procedure. The minimum course of admission is 3 months.
A competent specialist can always identify the cause of infertility
Unfortunately not. Even in practically healthy and compatible couples, pregnancy may not occur for a long time, and even the wisest scientists and the most experienced doctors cannot find the reasons for this. This is the so-called "unexplained" or "idiopathic" form of infertility, its frequency is 4-10% of all cases.
However, such statistics are not at all a reason to sabotage a visit to a doctor and self-medicate, relying on myths and pseudo-scientific methods. This will only waste precious time. In most cases, it is a qualified doctor who will help determine the problem and ways to solve it, which will give a real chance of conceiving and having a healthy child.
[1] okeydoc.ru
[2] Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón, Audrey J Gaskins, Yu-Han Chiu, Carmen Messerlian, Paige L Williams, Jennifer B Ford, Irene Souter, Russ Hauser, Jorge E Chavarro; Type of underwear worn and markers of testicular function among men attending a fertility center, Human Reproduction, Volume 33, Issue 9, 1 September 2018, Pages 1749-1756, [3] "Hops, Malt and Myths." Popular Mechanics magazine (№7, July 2015).
[4] Zakarya Bani Meri, Ibrahim Bani Irshid, Mohammad Migdadi, Ayat Bani Irshid, Somia A. Mhanna. Does Cigarette Smoking Affect Seminal Fluid Parameters? A Comparative Study.
[5] Afsaneh Khademi, Ashraf Alleyassin, Leili Safdarian, Ehsan Akbari Hamed, Ehsan Rabiee, Hasan Haghaninezhad. The effects of L-carnitine on sperm parameters in smoker and non-smoker patients with idiopathic sperm abnormalities.
[6] Lenzi A, Lombardo F, Sgrò P, Salacone P, Caponecchia L, Dondero F, Gandini L. Use of carnitine therapy in selected cases of male factor infertility: a double-blind crossover trial.
[7] Keskes-Ammar L, Feki-Chakroun N, Rebai T, Sahnoun Z, Ghozzi H, Hammami S, Zghal K, Fki H, Damak J, Bahloul A. Sperm oxidative stress and the effect of an oral vitamin E and selenium supplement on semen quality in infertile men.
[8] Hunt CD, Johnson PE, Herbel J, Mullen LK. Effects of dietary zinc depletion on seminal volume and zinc loss, serum testosterone concentrations, and sperm morphology in young men.
[9] Safarinejad MR, Safarinejad S. Efficacy of selenium and / or N-acetyl-cysteine for improving semen parameters in infertile men: a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized study.
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