The easiest way to remedy any disease condition is to have an insight into the condition. This is because some ailments are only symptoms of other underlying conditions, and attempting any form of treatment will amount to a journey in futility if the causes [underlying conditions] are not first dealt with.
Infertility, whether male or female is not an ecxeption, hence the need for this article which aims to throw some light on male infertility by telling us what it is, the causes, the signs and symptoms. The reader, backed by the information and bearing in mind the cause[s] , will know which remedy best suits his condition, as there is no one fit-it-all remedy for infertility.
INFERTILITY – A CLOSER LOOK
Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system characterized by the inability cause to/to conceive after 12 or more months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
It may be that one partner cannot contribute to conception, or that a woman is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term. It affects millions of people of reproductive age worldwide. Statistics have it that 10% to 15% of couples are infertile in the United States, and women aged 15 to 44 years are estimated to have difficulty conceive or stay pregnant.
Available data have it that worldwide, between 48 million couples and 186 million individuals have infertility.
Since infertility is a male and female issue, with somewhat different causes, it will be clearer to consider it from either ends. Let us start from male infertility
MALE INFERTILITY
Male infertility is any health issue in a man that lowers the chances of his female partner getting pregnant by him. It can be caused by hormonal imbalance, low sperm production, abnormal sperm function or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Illnesses, injuries, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices and other contributing factors like alcohol.abuse, Smoking, illicit drugs, being overweight.,Overheating the testicles, and exposure to toxins.
HORMONAL IMBALANCE
Hormones are chemicals produced by glands in the endocrine system. Hormones travel through the bloodstream to the tissues and organs, delivering messages that tell the organs what to do and when to do it.
Hormones are essential for regulating most major bodily processes, so a hormonal imbalance can affect many bodily functions, including reproduction.
Hormonal imbalance therefore is a condition where there is too much or too little of a hormone in the bloodstream.
Though hormonal imbalances are the leading cause of infertility in women, men may also experience hormonal disorders that affect their fertility, such as low testosterone levels.
SYMPTOMS OF HORMONAL IMBALANCE IN MEN
When a male has low testosterone levels, their symptoms will typically include
1. Erectile dysfunction
2. Thinning and reduced hair growth
3. Decrease in sex drive
4. Loss of muscle mass
5. Tenderness in the area of the chest
LOW SPERM COUNT
Low sperm count, also termed oligozoospermia, is where a man has fewer than 15 million sperm per millilitre of semen. This can make natural conception difficult, although successful pregnancies can still occur.Low sperm count has been linked with certain lifestyles.- alcoholism, smoking, and certain medications. Other factors like long term sicknesses like kidney failure, mumps, etc..
ABNORMAL SPERM
Abnormal sperm refer to sperm with head or tail defects. Could be a large or misshapen head or a crooked or double tail. These might affect the ability of the sperm to reach and penetrate an egg. Having a large percentage of misshapen sperm isn’t uncommon.
Some studies however associate having higher amounts of abnormally shaped sperm with infertility. Usually, higher numbers of abnormally shaped sperm are associated with other irregularities of the semen such as low sperm count or motility.
BLOCKAGES THAT PREVENT THE DELIVERY OF SPERM
There are three main causes fo blockages;
Acquired obstroction from diseases and infections
Congenital disorders
Blockage resulting from surgery
Termed Obstructive azoospermia, it accounts for approximately 40 percent of all azoospermia cases, azoospermia being a medical condition where there are no sperm in the ejaculate. It can be non-obstructive when it is due to decreased sperm production by the testis.
INFECTIONS
Infection is the disease caused by the invasion and growth of germs in the body. Infections can begin anywhere in the body and may spread all through it.The germs may be bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, or other microorganisms. An infection can cause fever and other health problemferts , depending on where it occurs in the body.
Studies have estimated that out of 15% of infertility worldwide, around 50% is due to male partner. The associated infections include Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, hepatitis B virus, tuberculosis, Streptococcus faecalis, and mumps.
Another report hints that bacterial infection in the male reproductive system is one of the key factors affecting male fertility. It says the main factors leading to male sterility are inflammation of the reproductive system, injury of the male reproductive organ, and spermatogenesis disorder induced by pathogenic bacterial.
ALCOHOL
Heavy drinking in men affects fertility by: lowering testosterone levels, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone, and raising estrogen levels, which reduce sperm production. shrinking the testes, which can cause impotence or infertility.
So, how much alcohol is too much
Men who take at least five units of alcohol in a typical week are at a risk of poor quality semen, and even worse for those who take more than 25 units a week.
SMOKING
Smoking affects male fertility as nicotine reduces the weight of the testes, testosterone level, and testicular antioxidant status. in addition, it greatly lowers sperm count, sperm motility, sperm viability, and increases the percent of sperm with abnormal morphology.
OBESITY
Obese men have low testosterone levels and high estrogen levels. This imbalance in hormone levels decreases sperm production and hence affects fertility in obese men.
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OVERHEATING THE TESTICLES
Too much heat around the testicles tend to kill sperm cells. Continuous exposure to higher temperatures can also lower sperm production, or lead to the production of abnormally shaped sperm cells resulting in infertility.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS INFERTILITY IN MEN
Males having infertility issues could experience one or more of these symptoms;
1. Loss of libido or sexual desire / arousal.
2. Problems obtaining and maintaining an erection.
3. Pain or discomfort in the testicles or area surrounding the testicles.
4. Trouble ejaculating – either no ejaculation or reduced volume of semen
5. Growth of breast tissue in men (gynecomastia)
HOME REMEDIES
As ststed earlier, the first home remedy for infertility in men is to know the cause of this condition.
Once these conditions are adequately treated, and healthy lifestyle adopted, infertility could give way to multiple births.
On the whole, balanced vitamins A and E, Zinc, Calcium is a good way to start. Garlic ,Maca, Tribulus, Ashwagandha, Schisandra seed and fruit, seena alata tea could help detox the system and fight infection, thus signalling fertility..
But in the event of long term complications, experts have put together herbal packs to knock out infertility and restore the happiness of the family once again.
This pack helps restore fertility by;
Balancing homones
Fighting infections
Improving libido
Unlocking blockages
Improving sperm quality
Detoxing the body
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