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Much has been written about infertility in health magazines, and the vast majority of these articles focus on ways to improve female reproductive ability. Male infertility is seldom discussed, largely because it is erroneously thought to be rare. Unfortunately, quite the opposite is true.

Infertility is defined as the absence of conception after one year of regular intercourse without the use of any contraceptive. About 15 percent of all couples experience conception problems. Men are responsible for the problem at least 30 to 50 percent of the time.

What Causes Male Infertility?

Infertility can have medical causes such as varicocele (varicose veins of the testicles), undescended testis or testes, enlarged prostate, diabetes, thyroid disease, herpes simplex virus, congenital abnormalities, and urethral stricture. Your family doctor, urologist, or fertility specialist should first assess you for these potentially reversible causes of male infertility before you investigate alternative strategies for improving fertility.

A number of other factors may reduce sperm count, cause abnormal sperm shapes, or impair sperm motility (the ability of sperm to move spontaneously), as determined by a semen analysis. Take these steps to reverse the effects of stress, poor diet, and lifestyle habits.

Stop Smoking

Smoking over 20 cigarettes daily has been proven to reduce both sperm count and motility. Since cigarette smoking destroys many vitamins and minerals, it is important that any infertile couple do their best to quit this negative health habit. Supplemental antioxidants like vitamins C, E, and selenium can certainly help offset the adverse effects of tobacco smoke but can offer no guarantees that fertility will be enhanced if the male continues to smoke.

Stay Cool

Heat can also reduce sperm production. Hot baths, sitting for long periods of time, and tight, testes-constricting underwear can all elevate temperatures long enough to suppress sperm production. So can your work habits. A 2005 study reported in Human Reproduction found that working with laptop computers in a laptop position can increase scrotal temperature and affect male reproductive health.

Limit Drug Use

Zoltan P. Rona, MD, is the author of several best-selling books, including Return to the Joy of Health (alive Books, 1995) and Boosting Male Libido Naturally (alive Books, 2000).

Source: alive #272, June 2005