Dad Facts: What Men Need to Know About Their Fertility

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Final up to date on June 23, 2024.

By Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter

SUNDAY, June 23, 2024 — When a pair cannot get pregnant, the main focus is commonly on the potential mother, however that should change, a Houston urologist says.

“Each companions want analysis,” stated Dr. Larry Lipschultz, a professor of urology at Baylor School of Drugs in Houston. “With fertility, you’ll be able to’t finger level. It isn’t a male or feminine downside as a lot because it must be thought-about a pair’s downside.”

Males who’re infertile haven’t any technique to know until they’ve had particular surgical procedures or an accident involving their testicles. The one signal is being unable to get a lady pregnant. A fertility take a look at can affirm this.

As soon as a person hits his 50s, his fertility drops. It isn’t as dramatic a decline as that which a lady experiences throughout menopause — moderately, it occurs little by little.

Guys who’re overweight or who placed on weight can also have bother producing sufficient sperm. A physician would possibly suggest dropping pounds, to spice up manufacturing of male hormones. A food regimen wealthy in meals containing antioxidants can also be steered.

“The difficulty with weight problems is that fats metabolizes testosterone to estrogen, which is unhealthy for sperm manufacturing,” Lipschultz stated in a Baylor information launch. “Typically, attempting to keep up body weight by means of train and correct food regimen goes to be useful.”

Understand that the testosterone mustn’t come from an out of doors supply. Males who take exterior testosterone in any kind are turning off the hormones that promote sperm manufacturing. Males who want testosterone must be below a specialist’s care.

Males seeking to turn into fathers ought to keep away from direct warmth to the testicles, together with a cellular phone in a pocket, scorching tubs or heating pads.

They need to additionally remember that chemotherapy, radiotherapy and medicines known as biologics can tamp down sperm manufacturing.

Males who’ve fertility points are additionally at increased threat for different circumstances, together with most cancers and untimely loss of life.

“For those who’re within the reproductive age group and you’ve got some sort of downside that requires remedy, verify along with your doctor that this isn’t going to harm your sperm manufacturing,” Lipschultz suggested. “In case you are in a scenario that that is going to be everlasting, be sure to financial institution your sperm.”

Males with fertility considerations can get a semen evaluation. This can present whether or not they have sufficient sperm and whether or not they transfer sufficiently to achieve an egg. Newer exams may also see if they’re able to fertilization. At-home exams could also be deceptive.

Males who’re having reproductive points ought to go to a urologist who makes a speciality of male reproductive well being.

“Girls have a physician from their teenage years for probably the most half for menstrual well being, contraception and extra,” Lipschultz stated. “Males usually do not commonly see a doctor, and by the point we see them for urologic issues, reproductive issues or males’s well being on the whole, it might be too late.”

Males, he concluded, must take higher care of themselves.

SOURCE: Baylor School of Drugs, June 20, 2024, information launch

Disclaimer: Statistical knowledge in medical articles present normal traits and don’t pertain to people. Particular person components can differ enormously. At all times search personalised medical recommendation for particular person healthcare choices.

Posted June 2024