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Infertility and womens issues |
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Written by Webmaster
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Sunday, 29 June 2008 |
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Most of the time, when we think of infertility and issues with becoming pregnant, we assume it must be a problem with female infertility. As a society, we often view infertility as a "woman's issue" because women have most often been given the obligation of conception issues. The truth is that 40% to 50% of infertility issues that couples face actually involve male infertility. Many men feel as if they are not a "real man" if they cannot produce a child. However, infertility issues have nothing to do with a guy's manliness, but rather have to do with medical issues that can normally be treated.
There are many explanations for male infertility. They can be anything from lifestyle and family history to medical issues or testicular injuries. Some common problems associated with male fertility are hypogonadism and varicocele or azoopermia, which can typically be treated depending on the severity. Studies show males who smoke cigarettes or marijuana or consume large amounts of alcohol tend to have reduced sperm counts and a lower quality of sperm. Another study suggests that males who have taken certain antidepressant drugs had lower sperm counts as well. There are also other studies that have linked obesity with reduced or lower sperm counts. Issues with family history can also cause infertility. Yet another family related cause may be the use of certain medicines or drugs by the effected male's mother during her pregnancy with him. Some studies point towards environmental exposures, such as radiation exposure or excessive heat, as playing a role in reproductive health.
If corrections are needed, then the good news is that there are many surgical procedures and medications available to help with complications of infertility and trying to conceive. The male partner will usually be examined by a specialist and/or a urologist as well. The doctor will want to test the quality of the man's sperm to determine the sperm count and the rate of mobility. If there is some sort of a blockage, then that has a good chance of it being treated and fixed. In the case where sperm is not abundant in the semen, the doctor can actually go into the tubes and retrieve sperm through a medical procedure. There are other causes as well, but most can be solved with the use of fertility drugs.
As medical science has advanced, the treatments that are available for infertility and the inability to conceive have allowed couples to become more and more successful at getting pregnant. The stigma of infertility has also been taken off the women's shoulders, as it is now becoming clear that men can have infertility problems as well. Now many couples are taking the infertility issue head on as a couple and no one is getting the blame. Once you take away the stigma of blame, it makes for more open communication and a healthier relationship.
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