Dr. Sanjay B.S

Male infertility is when the male is not able to get a fertile female pregnant. Though not openly admitted, it is an extremely common condition. For a man, it is highly hurting to the ego when it is identified. Given the discrete nature of the topic, it is difficult both for a man to admit that he could possibly be the reason the couple is not able to conceive. If that happens, the next challenge is to get them to undergo treatment.
With times, things are changing and more men are open to getting tested. The changed lifestyles are also contributing to male infertility, and the incidence has risen by a couple of percentages.

Causes: Male infertility is caused by a variety of issues leading to poor sperm quality and/or quantity, ranging from:

1. Sperm production, which can be reduced in numbers.
2. The quality of the sperm could be poor, with reduced mobility being extremely common. When this happens, they are not able to travel up the uterus and penetrate the egg.
3. Erectile dysfunction, where the erection is too soft or short for penetration into the female
4. Premature ejaculation, where the sperms are released very soon before they can enter the female.
5. In addition, lifestyle causes are another major cause of male infertility. These include smoking, increased stress levels, alcohol abuse, lack of exercise, poor dietary habits, and increased junk food.

Management: Male infertility is not as easily accepted as female fertility, though it is the cause for the couple’s inability to conceive in about 50% of the cases.
Once identified and accepted, treating male infertility is quite easy compared to female infertility. In order of progression, the treatment modes are listed below.

Counseling: In most cases, a sexual counseling session with the couple can help iron out performance anxiety and help build trust and frankness in the relationship. In many couples, this helps in overcoming the problem. Given the discrete nature of the topic, it takes time for a couple to get to know each other. There is also the male performance anxiety which can lead to poor performance. All this needs some time and some external help, which can improve the sexual compatibility and overall relationship.

Hormonal therapy: This is another simple and effective way to manage male infertility. Topical or systemic androgens can help in treating male infertility.

Surgery: In worse cases, where there are blocked sperm tubes, surgery may be required to unblock them.

In vitro fertilization: In couples whom none of the above work, IVF could be used to help in conception.

Male infertility needs to be accepted and then it becomes easier to treat.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Gestational diabetes is a kind of diabetes that happens during pregnancy. Diabetes is referred to a condition where your blood glucose or blood sugar is very high. Although, glucose is good as it used by your body for energy, but excessive glucose in your blood can be harmful for both you and your child. Gestational diabetes is mostly diagnosed in the later stages of pregnancy. If gestational diabetes is diagnosed in the early stages of pregnancy, then it is quite possible that you may have had diabetes before you became pregnant. Treating gestational diabetes can help both you and your baby stay fit and healthy. You can protect both, yourself and your baby by controlling your blood glucose levels.

Problems with gestational diabetes in first 3 months prem can lead to abortion or congenital authorities in baby. Mid trimester abortions, urinary and vagina infection can occur. Preeclampsia , chorioamnionitis also possible. In 3rd trimester preterm Labour, intrauterine death, large baby or small for dates can happen. Neonatal hypoxia, respiratory distress are common. So it has to be controlled strictly throughout pregnancy with diet, exercise and medicines.

Here are 7 things that you need to know about Gestational diabetes:

1. Every three to eight out of 100 ladies tend to develop diabetes during pregnancy, a condition known as gestational diabetes. Fortunately, it can be dealt with and even kept away by maintaining healthy lifestyle choices. Eating leafy foods and avoiding sugar-rich things, is a vital step for both control and counteractive action. Exercise, after consulting your doctor can guarantee that you have a healthy pregnancy.
2. In diabetes, when your body's glucose or sugar levels get so high that the carbohydrates and sugars cannot be converted into energy, the excess starts accumulating in your body. This additional glucose can harm the vessels in your kidneys and all through your body, particularly in organs like eyes.
3. Two or three factors might cause danger for creating gestational diabetes, both inside and outside of your control. If you are overweight before you get pregnant or while you are pregnant or your family history shows that you are hereditarily inclined to the sickness, you will probably build up the condition.
4. One will have to stay on the right path as far as medication and insulin goes. Your specialist may prescribe that you require diabetic pills or insulin to help you control your glucose levels.
5. Your weight can bring about complexities during the delivery in case of gestational diabetes. So it is best to keep your weight in check in order to have a smooth sailing pregnancy and delivery.
6. Gestational diabetes can likewise put ladies at risk of contracting preeclampsia, which can bring about a number of side effects and complexities. Side effects brought on may start from swollen feet, legs, fingers, and hands to hypertension and even seizures or strokes.
7. Apart from the risks of having gestational diabetes during your pregnancy, it might affect the child later on. Your baby may have a higher danger of obesity as it develops, both in the teenage years and youth. Youngsters who are overweight may suffer from type 2 diabetes in the long run.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!