Advances in infertility medicine and treatment are bringing hope and success to infertility patients. And yet the biggest challenge to a couple’s fertility is lack of knowledge. Most people do not realize how common infertility is; it affects one out of six couples. And for those having trouble starting a family, infertility affects men and women at equal rates. Therefore, it is important for male partners to realize that they are essential to a couple’s fertility and successful reproduction. Below we examine some of the most common myths and truths about male infertility.
Infertility is a Woman’s Issue: MYTH
Infertility affects couples, not just women. Approximately 40 percent of the time, the male partner is either the sole cause or a contributing cause of a couple’s struggle to have a family. Male infertility can be a result of producing too few sperm, a high percentage of abnormally shaped sperm (sperm morphology), sperm that do not move properly (motility), sexual dysfunction or a blockage in his reproductive tract that prohibits release.
If a couple has been trying unsuccessfully for one year to get pregnant (or six months if the woman is over 35 years old), both the man and woman should see a fertility specialist for diagnostic testing. Couples should seek information even earlier if there is a concern about sperm production or other problems with sexual function. For men, this includes sperm analysis and a complete medical history.
Age Doesn’t Affect Men’s Ability to Have a Family: MYTH
While many men have been able to have children in their 70’s and 80’s, age is a factor in men’s health and fertility. Sperm production is driven by testicular health and testosterone levels, which decline as men age. Sperm quality begins to deteriorate by the age of 40 and significantly after 60 years of age. It is well documented that men as young as 40 are less fertile than their 20-year-old counterparts. Age does affect a woman’s egg much more significantly, but men who want children later in life still need to protect their fertility by staying in good overall health.
Men Are Constantly Creating More Sperm: TRUTH
Unlike women who are born with a set number of eggs for their lives, men make new sperm throughout their lives. However, basic sperm formation takes about 74 days and it takes an additional 12 to 21 days for the sperm to mature, acquire the ability to move and to be fertile. A man’s physical health and his lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise and exposure to pesticides, chemicals and drugs can affect the health and fertility of his sperm.
Eating Steak Will Provide Virility: MYTH
Steak and other proteins that are high in saturated fats can lower fertility by increasing body fat and in turn lower estrogen and testosterone. Excess weight is related to lower sperm counts and motility, lower testosterone levels, and therefore decreased or diminished fertility and sexual functioning. Obesity and excess weight can lead to metabolic health conditions such as pre-diabetes, diabetes elevated cholesterol and hypertension, which can cause erectile dysfunction. In addition, men should also avoid processed grains, added sugars, and hydrogenated (trans fats). Fruits and vegetables should be low in pesticides.
Good nutrition supports healthy sperm. Men can improve and maintain their sperm quality by including whole grains, plant proteins, lean meats, fish, legumes, fresh fruit and vegetables, and heart-healthy fats in their diets. Key nutrients are the antioxidants selenium (found in Brazil nuts, salmon, pork, walnuts), Vitamin E (found in sunflower oil, avocado, olive oil), Vitamin C (found in citrus fruits, green peppers, broccoli), and CoQ10 (quality supplement). Men should also seek out foods rich in zinc (found in milk, almonds, yogurt) and folic acid, which can be found in fortified breads and cereals, legumes and leafy greens.
Smoking Kills…. Sperm: TRUTH
Whether it’s tobacco, marijuana or another substance, smoking is detrimental to everyone’s general health, and especially a man’s sperm production and sexual performance. Smoking introduces toxins into the body that can damage DNA in the developing sperm and can decrease a man’s fertility. For example, in tobacco there are over 4,000 chemical compounds, including 43 carcinogens or poisons. These have been identified in high concentrations in semen samples of men who smoke. Nicotine, cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines all restrict blood flow to the testes and over time can cause permanent erectile dysfunction. Secondhand smoke also increases risk in women for miscarriage and infertility.
Exercise Helps Sex Drive: TRUTH
Exercise is important for stress management, weight and cholesterol management, healthy blood pressure, lowering risk for diabetes, and it can boost sex drive. Regular exercise increases muscle mass, which in turn helps to raise testosterone. Consistent activity is important for men and women, and it can be a great way for couples to improve their health together.
However, extreme training that includes synthetic testosterone, which can be found in protein powders, supplements and anabolic steroids, is detrimental to a man’s own natural testosterone production. Testosterone boosting supplements should be avoided completely.
Relaxing with a Few Drinks Helps: MYTH
Alcohol use lowers testosterone levels and raises estrogen, therefore negatively impacting male fertility. There are numerous studies that show that men should have no more than two servings of alcohol per day and no more than seven drinks total per week. A serving size is 5 ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of liquor, or a 12-ounce bottle of beer.
Caffeine Is Only Problematic for Women: MYTH
Like alcohol and tobacco, caffeine in very high doses can affect male infertility. We recommend no more than 300 mg per day for men, and 150 mg per day is best. A Keurig cup contains about 150 mg caffeine, whereas barrista coffee could contain up to 300 mg. caffeine.
Men have the power to improve their fertility, and they can also affect their partner’s fertility. When partners decide to support each other and make changes to their lifestyle habits together, they find greater pregnancy success. The power of two is infinite when it comes to practicing healthy dietary, exercise, and weight management routines and avoiding vices like smoking and alcohol. Armed with this knowledge, men can take control of their fertility potential and lead the way to successful family building.
Shaun C. Williams, MD, and Carolyn Gundell, M.S., are part of the fertility team at Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMACT). Dr. Williams, who is board certifi ed in both Reproductive Endo-crinology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, has won several awards, including “Best Doctor in America” and Fairfi eld County “Top Doc.” Carolyn Gundell, M.S., has over 25 years of nutrition experience and helping patients with conditions associated with infertility, such as insulin resistance, diabetes and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). To find out more, please go to www.rmact.com.