Tips on How To Handle Infertility In Man

Infertility in men can be defined as the failure to contribute to conception after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse without the use of birth control. 

You are more likely to experience infertility if:

• You are obese or overweight
• You have been exposed to radiation. 
• You are 40 years old and above
• The temperature of your testes are raised due to heat. Those who uses hot tub or sauna are prone to infertility.
• You are an alcohol and tobacco addict.
• You have been exposed to toxins like lead, Mercury, pesticide amongst others.
• You have an history of varicoceles 

Causes of infertility are but not limited to:

• hormonal disorders: sperm may not fully grow, be made in very low numbers(oligospermia) or not made at all and may not even move the right way. This is known as azoospermia.  
• Environmental and lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol intake and obesity can also lower sperm production. 
• Long term medical conditions and childhood infections can lead to infertility. Examples include diabetes, some infections, autoimmune disorders, cystic fibrosis and some infections.
• Varicoceles: these are swollen veins and can be found in the scrotum. They cause your testicles to heat up, which can affect the shape and/or number of sperm produced. 
• Cancer treatments, like Chemotherapy, radiation is a risk to fertility. 
• problems in the ejection of semen, absence or low levels of sperm, or abnormal shape (morphology) and movement (motility) of the sperm. 
• In addition, exposure to environmental pollutants and toxins can be directly toxic to gametes (eggs and sperm), resulting in their decreased numbers and poor quality, leading to infertility. 
• Some medications and supplements 

A male diagnosed with infertility may have both psychological or emotional symptoms which range from feelings of loss, depression, failure, and incompetence. 

However, being diagnosed with infertility is not a death sentence as most couples will eventually conceive, with the right treatment. 

Treatment will depend on factors like age, how long the infertility has lasted, personal preferences, and other health related factors . 

Infertility in men can be treated through:

Surgery: to open blockages in the tubes that store and carry sperm. Varicose surgery can make sperm healthier and can improve odds of conception 

Medication: to raise testosterone or other hormone levels and treat erectile dysfunction. Ensure you visit a tested and trusted Andrologist for treatment. 

You can also support your treatment with the RIDA Male Wellness pack

Introcytoplasmic sperm injection: according to Cleveland Clinic,  Artificial techniques of reproduction have advanced to the point where a single sperm can be physically injected into an egg. This procedure, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has dramatically changed the treatment available for even the most severe male factor infertility. Because of this technique, 90% of all infertile males have the potential to conceive their own genetic child.

In vitro fertilization: popularly called IVF, is a go to treatment of choice. During the process, a man’s sperm and a woman’s egg(s) are put together in a culture medium in a laboratory. After fertilization, the development of the embryo is then monitored over the next few days, and two to three embryos are then placed into the uterus by way of a small catheter inserted through the cervix.

Maintaining a healthy and balanced life can help put infertility in men at bay. Maintain a healthy body weight by eating a healthy diet and exercising, quit smoking and drinking and be mindful of the medications you use.