Determining the Cause of Infertility in Men
When most of us consider the problem of infertility, we tend to see it as an issue with the woman. However, this is often not the case. As many as half of all infertility cases can involve medical issues with the man as well. In some of these situations, the problem lies solely with the man. In others, it may be that each person in the relationship has a condition that is lowering the odds of conception. This is why it is extremely important that the man gets tested during the infertility process as well, and as early as possible. Although many men shy away from the testing process, determining infertility in men can save many women from unnecessary poking and prodding. There are many causes of infertility in men, and many can be easily treated with lifestyle changes, medication or surgery.
Who to See
If you are interested in getting tested, the best doctor to see for the process is a urologist. This specialist can do a complete physical exam, accompanied by a semen analysis that will determine the number, motility and structure of the sperm. If one test comes back normal, it is possible that your doctor will order a second semen test because this is generally the protocol when checking for infertility in men. If a problem is detected, your doctor may want to run additional tests to see if there is an underlying medical condition that is causing the problem. There are a number of reasons for infertility in men, and sometimes treating the underlying condition will take care of the fertility problem as well.
What to Do
If you find that you have a low sperm count, or similar problem that is contributing to your infertility, there are some lifestyle changes that you can make to try to increase your odds of conception. Since medications can affect the quality of your sperm, you may try to avoid drugs, whether they are prescription, over the counter or the "street" variety. Smoking and alcohol consumption can also have an affect on infertility in men. Warmth around the testicles can also affect the sperm production, so avoid heat by avoiding long, hot showers and wearing boxer shorts instead of briefs. It is also a good idea to stay away from electric blankets and heating pads, as these can affect infertility in men also.
Make sure that your diet is high in important nutrients like zinc, since this has been proven to increase the amount and quality of sperm production. If you do not eat enough foods rich in this substance, you can take a supplement as well to treat infertility in men. If you have been diagnosed with a low sperm count, limiting intercourse to every other day during the fertile time of month will allow you time to stockpile sperm and increase your odds of conception as well. With a few lifestyle changes and some help from your doctor, you may indeed find a way to overcome your infertility issue.
