Best 12 Ways to Prevent Male Infertility - Risk Factors, Male Infertility Causes

Male infertility is a condition in which a male is not able to cause pregnancy in his female partner. Male infertility is very common these days due to toxic chemicals present in the environment and the changes in lifestyle. Approximately 30 percent of the infertility cases, where a couple is not able to conceive are due to male infertility. Male fertility levels can be checked with the help of a semen analysis test. Certain parameters such as sperm count, motility, morphology, pH, and fructose are measured to find the quality of sperms present in the semen. If the sperms are of good quality and the female partner does not have any fertility issues then the couple can conceive naturally. But if the male has some fertility issues, then the couple requires some treatment or donor sperm to successfully conceive a baby. Male infertility can be prevented if proper care is taken at the right time. It is always said that prevention is better than cure. So in this article, you will get information on the ways to prevent male infertility along with the outlined information including causes and symptoms of male infertility. (1) (2)

Causes of Male Infertility

Some health issues or medical conditions can result in male infertility if not treated at the right time. Let’s discuss the health conditions, which can possibly result in infertility in the long term. (3) (4)

• Hypothalamic or Pituitary Disorder: Pituitary gland is located in the brain, which is responsible for the production of the hormone. When the pituitary gland does not function properly, it can result in low sperm production. (5)
•  Gonad Disorder: Gonad disorders are an abnormality in the functioning of testes, which can result in infertility and erectile dysfunction. Approximately 30 to 40 percent of male infertility cases are because of gonad disorder. (6)
• Sperm transport disorder: Blockage in ejaculatory ducts, epididymis, and vas deferens can result in low sperms or NIL sperm in an ejaculation. 10 to 20 percent of male infertility cases are because of disorder in sperm transportation mechanism. (7)
• Unknown Causes: No reason or cause can be identified in 40% to 50% of infertility cases in men.

Risk factors linked to male infertility

• Smoking tobacco (8)
• Using alcohol
• Using illicit drugs

• Being overweight
• Having certain past or present infections
• Being exposed to toxins
• Overheating the testicles
• Having a prior vasectomy or major abdominal or pelvic surgery
• Having a history of undescended testicles
• Being born with a fertility disorder or having a blood relative with a fertility disorder
• Having certain medical conditions, including tumors and chronic illnesses, such as sickle cell disease
• Taking certain medications or undergoing medical treatments, such as surgery or radiation used for treating cancer

Prevention of Male Infertility

If a man has the genetic infertility issue, which has been inherited, or the problem that cannot be cured, then there is no chance of prevention. But if not them some important actions can be taken that decreases or prevents the possibility of infertility. Learn the ways to prevent male infertility effectively by taking proper precautions. (9)

1. Avoid STDs (Sexual Transmitted Diseases)

STDs or sexually transmitted diseases are transmitted from one person to another through sex. STDs such as Chlamydia, Genital Warts, and Gonorrhea can cause low sperm production as well as scarring in male reproductive ducts. Therefore, whenever you are having intercourse with a female partner, always make sure to use birth control protection to avoid STDs and hence infertility. (10)

2. Don’t take Drugs without Doctor’s Prescription

Certain drugs such as supplemental testosterone, Marijuana, Narcotics, Recreational drugs, chemotherapy medications, and other illicit drugs can lead to fertility problems in men. The consumption of these drugs might change the hormonal levels in men affecting sperm movement and hence leading to infertility. These drugs might also cause testicles to shrink and produce fewer sperms. In some of the cases, the body might show adverse effects after stopping the consumption of drugs.

If you want to prevent yourself from infertility, then never take any drugs without a doctor’s prescription.

3. Keep your Balls Cool

Production of sperm is efficient when the testes are at 3 degrees lower temperature than the human body temperature. If testes come in the contact with the sources emitting heat radiations such as hot sauna, laptops, hot tub bath then its normal functioning can be disturbed because of high temperature. Radiation therapy utilized during cancer treatment can also damage reproductive cells in the testes making the man infertile. Hence, always avoid standing closer to hot sources to maintain your fertility.

4. Avoid Toxic Substances

Toxic substances or some harmful chemicals you come across every day, not only damages your body parts but it also leads to infertility. It would be better to stay away from the place where toxic substances are made. If working in a toxic environment is inevitable for you, then take proper preventive measures so that it would not harm you and your fertility.

5. Stop Heavy or Frequent use of Alcohol

Regular alcohol consumption in a larger quantity can lead to infertility because alcohol impairs sperm production in men. If you are in a habit to consume alcohol, then stop it right away before you get into any problem.  The side effects of alcohol can be reversed after you stop consuming it.

6. Maintain Good health and hygiene

A man needs to maintain and manage well hygiene and health practices to maintain optimum fertility levels. Keeping private parts clean is a must to prevent infertility or get off the risk of infertility. Otherwise, infections can also make you infertile if not treated at the right time.

Poor oral hygiene can also lead to infertility, so not only your reproductive organs but also the other parts need to be cleaned in an appropriate manner.

7. Skip Hot Baths

Bathing is a good habit and also a part of daily chores as it helps to maintain and manage personal hygiene. But if you are in practice or routine of taking hot tub baths and sauna baths for more than an hour daily, then it might lead to infertility. Higher testes temperature inhibits sperm production. It would be better to get into a normal routine of bathing with normal or lukewarm water.

8. Wear Perfect sized Undergarments

Sometime, undergarments you carry on a daily basis might also become the reason for your infertility. If you are wearing tight-fitting undergarments then you are mistaking. Tight boxers can raise the temperature of your testes, hence impacting the process of spermatogenesis in males. Perfect sized undergarments help a person prevent himself from infertility.

9. Eat Healthy Diet

The food which you consume daily plays a significant role in maintaining your health and fertility. If your diet lacks certain nutrients and vitamins such as Folic acid, zinc, vitamin E, Vitamin B3 then sperm count can get hampered. Therefore, you should always be cautious about the right selection of food that will help you in the prevention of infertility.

10. Weight management

Are you more than your BMI? If yes, then you have greater chances of infertility. Obese men have low testosterone levels and they also suffer from erectile dysfunction. Hence, Weight management is always required at every age to maintain fertility.

11. Quit Smoking

Smoking not just invites lungs cancer and other diseases but it also impacts your fertility levels to a great extent. Stop smoking if you want to prevent yourself from infertility.

12. Protect yourself from Reproductive Injury

If you are a sports person, then you need to be extra cautious to protect yourself from reproductive injury. Injury or any surgery to the reproductive part can cause infertility in the long term.

If you are looking for the superfoods to improve your sperm count, then explore our article on foods to improve sperm count. If you have fertility issues and looking for a solution, then call at +918929020600 to get an answer to your queries.