Factors that could render men infertile

Not all cases of childlessness in marriages can be traced to the woman. Muda Oyeniran, in this report examines reasons why the problem might be from the man.

In many cases, women are blamed for childlessness in marriages; men are usually absolved of any blame in such circumstances. In fact, many people believe, albeit ignorantly that the problem of infertility is exclusive to women.

However medical researches had proven that men and women do share equal blame for infertility. Unlike in the womenfolk, a man is said to be infertile if he cannot produce sperm; when he experiences reduced sperm production; when he produces sperms with abnormal shape and structure and when there is sluggishness or non-mobility of sperm.

Although experts agreed that the problem of infertility in men could be genetic (inborn) or could be as a result of illness or injury, they are also of the opinion that many other factors including the lifestyle of the individual play major roles.

According to Dr. Abayomi Aiyesimoju, a Lagos-based Consultant Physician, a lot of factors could be responsible for infertility in men. Some of these factors according to him were preventable. Simple things like placing laptop on the lap, wearing of tight underpants and constant riding of bicycle could make a man infertile.

“These activities can lead to increase in the temperature around the testis (organ responsible for sperm production in men). One thing that the testis do not like is heat and any activity that can heat up the testis could lead to infertility in men,” he explained.

According to him, nature designed that the testis be suspended outside the body because it wanted it to enjoy a relatively cooler temperature for optimal performance. He stated that any increase in temperature around the testis would affect sperm production. “Even in places where you have winter and summer, it is known that a man is likely to be more fertile in winter than at other times because of the cool environment,” he added.

Speaking further, Dr. Aiyesimoju said the eating of food from plastics placed in a microwave oven could affect a man’s fertility. “When you put a plastic in a microwave, the plastics are known to contain substances that have hormone-like effects and if you keep consuming that everyday, somehow it is going to affect your hormonal system and the essence of the reproductive function has to do with the right state and function of the hormones,” he explained

Rather than use plastics, he advised men to use plates made of ceramics, noting that ceramic plates are completely safe.

Factors, which could also affect a man’s fertility, according to the physician, include regular exposure to pollutants in the environment, use of herbicides and pesticides.

Also speaking on the issue, a Consultant Urologist with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr. Sola Bamidele said some men are rendered infertile because they produce antibody against their own sperms while some may have a blockage of the path that lead from the testis to the penis and from the penis to the outside.

According to him, fertility in men has to do with sperm production. “Infertility may result if the semen do not contain sperms or the sperms are too little; not of the right quality; abnormal in shape; do not move as they ought to move or they are clump together,” he added.

While speaking on factors, which could increase the risk of infertility in men, Dr. Bamidele said problem with the testis such as inflammation or infection can render a man infertile since according to him, the testis produces sperms.

He also revealed that certain drugs used in the treatment of other ailments could also make men infertile. “Unknown to many, ulcer drugs like cimentidine can affect fertility. Also, aspirin and antimalarials can reduce sperm count. Furthermore, radiation treatment and chemotherapy for cancer patients can reduce sperm count,” he added.

Lifestyle problems such as excessive alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and drugs like marijuana, according to him could also affect a man’s fertility. He disclosed that marijuana could lower sperm count.

Apart from these, he said poor diet and age could reduce a man’s fertility. “If a man is malnourished, his fertility can be affected and of course, the older one gets, the less fertile he becomes,” Dr. Bamidele added.

Another problem that could lead to infertility in a man is the presence of varicose veins (veins that have become permanently swollen or enlarged). According to the urologist, varicose veins in the scrotum can cause congestion, which may prevent free flow of blood and eventually affect the supply of nutrients to the male organ.

On what men could do to guard against infertility, Dr. Aiyesimoju said men should avoid habits like smoking, drug abuse and excessive alcohol intake. “Men should also stay away from whatever can increase the temperature around their private parts and also from pollutants,” he added.

He also revealed that certain nutrients like vitamin E, amino acids, and selenium help to increase sperm count. “Vitamin C is also important for sperm production. It makes sperms more motile and reduce sperms clumping together,” Dr. Aiyesimoju stated.