Infertility is a common complaint in men's health clinics. It's now recognized as more than just a personal issue; it's gradually becoming a global public health concern and a key component of reproductive health services in many countries. Approximately 20% of infertile couples have infertility solely attributable to the male partner, while 30%-40% are due to both male and female factors. Male factors account for nearly half of all infertility.
The incidence of infertility varies significantly across regions. Fertility is influenced by factors such as country, region, and ethnicity, as well as lifestyle, dietary habits, and traditional customs.
Male infertility can be caused by chromosomal abnormalities, endocrine disorders, varicocele, prostatitis, and sperm abnormalities. Treatment options can be tailored to the underlying cause.
- Chromosomal Abnormalities:
While there are generally no obvious abnormalities, a decrease in the number of reproductive cells or the division of these cells can result in unbalanced gametes, often leading to male infertility. Treatment options include vitamin B6 tablets and methylcobalamin tablets, as prescribed by a doctor.
- Endocrine Disorders:
Men who frequently experience high levels of stress or stay up late for extended periods of time may experience endocrine disorders, which often lead to decreased sperm quality and, in severe cases, infertility. Medications such as finasteride and propylthiouracil can be used with a doctor to improve symptoms.
- Varicocele:
Increased metabolic waste in the varicocele can cause elevated testicular temperature and decreased enzyme activity. If left untreated, this can affect sperm motility and survival. Medications such as calamine lotion and mometasone furoate cream can be used as directed by a doctor to alleviate symptoms.
- Prostatitis:
During an episode of prostatitis, changes in the composition of prostatic fluid can occur, often affecting sperm development and sometimes leading to infertility. Treatment can include azithromycin dispersible tablets and levofloxacin tablets, as prescribed by a doctor, or treatment can be initiated after diagnosis at a hospital.
- Sperm Abnormalities:
Excessive stress, smoking, and alcohol consumption can lead to decreased sperm quality and, in severe cases, male infertility. Treatment with medications such as sildenafil citrate and tadalafil, as prescribed by a doctor, can help alleviate symptoms.
Prevention
Male infertility is not a distinct disease in itself. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including congenital developmental abnormalities, chromosomal abnormalities, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal dysfunction, endocrine dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, reproductive tract infections, and even psychological factors. Prenatal experts recommend that in addition to prioritizing the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility, prevention is also crucial. Generally, the following measures should be taken.
- Preventing Male Urogenital Tract Infections
Current clinical data show that reproductive tract infections are one of the most common contributing factors.
Therefore, preventing urinary and reproductive tract infections is crucial. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause a variety of direct and indirect causes. If you have a UTI, you should seek prompt and effective treatment to prevent the infection from spreading to the reproductive system, specifically the prostate, epididymis, and testicles. Sexually transmitted infections (STDs) such as gonorrhea, genital warts, and non-gonococcal urethritis, as well as mycoplasma and chlamydia infections, can spread rapidly. If an STD is detected, both spouses should seek prompt, thorough, and effective treatment.
- Preventing Infertility Caused by Immune Factors
Immune factors are one of the causes of infertility. Prevention requires increased self-protection awareness. Specifically, men should protect their testicles from harm and prevent UTIs, especially those that spread to the prostate, epididymis, and testicles, to prevent damage to the local immune system and trigger a local immune response. Boys should receive the mumps vaccine during childhood. If a fever, prostatitis, or orchitis develops, they should receive prompt and effective treatment.
- Prevent the effects of daily toxicity.
Research indicates that male sperm counts have decreased by 30%-55% globally over the past 30 years. This decline is directly linked to environmental pollution, including air, water, and food contamination. These pollutants can affect the male urinary and reproductive systems, contributing not only to a decrease in sperm count but also to a decline in sperm quality. Everyone should strengthen their awareness of self-protection, cultivate healthy lifestyle habits, maintain a normal sleep schedule, ensure adequate sleep, change unhealthy habits, reduce alcohol, smoking, and strong tea consumption, keep the testicles clean, avoid wearing tight pants, adjust their mindset, and maintain a balanced lifestyle.