By James Nicopoullos, Medical Director at Lister Fertility Clinic
During Male Health Awareness Month, we’re focusing on an often-overlooked area of men’s health: fertility. Fertility is a key part of overall wellbeing, and while it’s common to think of it primarily as a women’s health issue, male factors contribute to around half of all cases where couples face challenges conceiving. Addressing fertility as part of male health is an important step toward ensuring men feel empowered to take control of their health, ask questions, and explore solutions that may benefit their overall wellness.
Key Factors That Affect Male Fertility
A variety of lifestyle and health-related factors can influence male fertility. Here are a few:
- Lifestyle Choices: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and recreational drug use can significantly impact sperm health. Diet and exercise habits also matter, as they contribute to overall body function and hormone balance.
- Stress and Mental Health: Chronic stress affects many bodily systems, including reproductive health. Cortisol, a hormone released during stress, can reduce the production of testosterone and other hormones essential for sperm production.
- Weight and Body Mass Index (BMI): Both obesity and being underweight can disrupt hormonal balance and sperm quality. Maintaining a healthy BMI through balanced eating and regular physical activity is beneficial for reproductive health.
- Environmental Exposure: Exposure to chemicals, pesticides, and other environmental toxins can affect sperm quality. Certain jobs may increase exposure to these substances, so it’s worth exploring ways to reduce contact where possible.
- Medical History: Existing health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or infections in the reproductive system can also influence fertility. Previous surgeries or injuries related to the reproductive organs may also play a role.
Male Fertility Treatments
Understanding the factors affecting fertility is the first step, but the good news is that significant advances have been made in male fertility treatments. Here are some of the approaches available today:
- Medications and Hormone Therapy: For men with hormonal imbalances, medications or hormone replacement therapies can help restore balance and improve sperm production.
- Surgical Procedures: If you have no sperm or a very low sperm count, it’s often possible to have sperm surgically retrieved from your testicles.
- Treatment Advancements: In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) are common methods that support couples where natural conception is challenging. ICSI, in particular, has been a major breakthrough in treating male infertility, as it involves injecting a single healthy sperm directly into an egg.
- Genetic Testing and Counselling: For some men, fertility issues may have a genetic component. Genetic testing can provide insights and help couples understand their options, while genetic counselling can offer guidance on hereditary factors and potential outcomes.
Proactive Health: The Role of Fertility Screening
For men looking to understand their fertility status, a fertility health screening can be a valuable tool. At Lister Fertility Clinic, we offer a screening package that examines key health factors, including a semen analysis, lifestyle assessment, and general health check. These screenings can provide reassurance, identify areas for improvement, and suggest next steps where necessary.
Final Thoughts
Fertility is an integral part of men’s health, and we encourage open conversations and proactive steps toward understanding it. During Male Health Awareness Month, take a moment to consider how small changes or a check-up might make a difference in your long-term wellbeing. If you have questions or would like more information, our team is here to support you, offering care and guidance along every step of the journey.
The post Supporting Male Health Awareness Month: Taking Charge of Your Fertility and Overall Health appeared first on IVF Babble.
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