What causes male
infertility?
One of the most essential steps
in the ability to conceive occurs in
the prostate gland.
This gland is in the news a lot as
researchers are discovering just how
it functions and affects some
important systems in our body. The
prostate gland surrounds the urethra
almost like your hand would grip a
small cup.
One of the prostate’s functions
is to provide for the
delivery of sperm. It
produces seminal fluid, or semen.
This fluid is rich in nutrients and
chemicals that help sperm survive in
a woman's reproductive tract. The
majority of the fluid is produced in
the seminal vesicles, located just
behind the prostate, considered an
extension of the prostate. The sperm
joins the nutrient-rich fluid in the
seminal vesicles and upper portion
of the prostate before it travels
through the urethra during
ejaculation.
When ejaculation occurs a muscle
tightens and closes the bladder,
preventing urine from being
eliminated during ejaculation. When
the prostate gland is weak or
damaged, either through infection or
surgical procedures, this
contracting muscle sometimes does
not function like it should.
When the seminal fluid and sperm
join together and move through the
urethra, some of it can back flow
into the bladder. This is a
common cause in a couple's inability
to conceive. Conceiving is
still possible with a weak or
damaged prostate, but it can be very
difficult. Doesn't it make sense
that a healthy prostate can greatly
increase your ability to conceive?
The second factor that
contributes to our part of
conception is healthy sperm.
Our sperm production can be affected
by a lot of things, namely
nutrition and toxins, stress,
illness and of course, heat.
For a very few men, sperm production
could be affected by something
beyond their control, but for most
of us, in fact for about 3 out of 4
of us having problems helping our
wife conceive, making a few
lifestyle changes and getting a
"tune up" for our parts could make
all the difference.
Factors that can
interfere with
developing healthy
sperm
These toxins
can alter our body's
ability to produce
healthy sperm or to
properly function to
produce semen.
|
How can you tell if you have
problems with fertility?
There are no real symptoms, but
if you and your mate
have not achieved pregnancy after
six months to a year of unprotected
sex, you could possibly
have fertility problems.
If you have
STDs, work or live in an
environment saturated with
chemicals, toxins or pollutants,
if you
smoke or
drink or
use
drugs regularly or consume
moderate to large amounts of
caffeine consistently, if
you have had
surgery on or near any of
your
reproductive organs - any
or all of these could be
contributing to the problems you are
having getting your wife pregnant.
Infertility makes you feel helpless.
But you're not... It is estimated
that
1
in 5 couples worldwide have
fertility problems, and
almost half of those problems are
due to male infertility. Almost 75%,
that's
3 out of 4 of male infertility
problems can be corrected with some
simple steps.
There are few medical treatment
options available for men
experiencing infertility. Some
prescriptions exist but come with
their share of
side effects and
expense.
As with hormone therapy for
women, most prescription drugs for
treating infertility in men may
not
be covered by insurance,
since it could be seen as an
"optional" treatment.
Some treatment options (IUI or
ICSI) include collecting sperm from
an ejaculation and attempting to
fertilize an egg. Both the
prescriptions and treatments for
male infertility have
an
average success rate of less than
20%. That means less than
one of every five couples that try
these options will have a successful
pregnancy. And at upwards of $10,000
each, can you afford the risk? What
if the difference could be
as
simple as a "tune-up" to your
reproductive organs and body?
Herbal
Remedies Are Recommended.
Herbal treatments are easy to
try, inexpensive and MUCH less
embarrassing. If you don't want to
have to see your doctor and tell him
or her that you can't produce a
baby, maybe an herbal remedy is
something you want to try.
Of course there are some obvious
things you may want to try first.
We realize the above "fixes" are
not always that easy to accomplish.
Don't try to do it all at once,
little by little, make the changes
that will improve your life. You
will want to set a good example to
your child anyway.
You may also find some helpful
information here:
Beyond Fertility: Pregnancy
Tests, Ovulation Tests, Fertility
Monitors, Progesterone Cream,
Hormone Kits, Books and Baby Gifts
|
