Male Infertility - Can Stress Trigger It?

Male infertility basically refers to the inability of a man to result in pregnancy in female, who is fertile. In human beings, this problem accounts for around 50% of infertility. Almost 7% of all men get affected by infertility. Change in status and current stress, which is on the rise, leads to making a man infertile. When a man has the problem of obesity, this, in turn, tends to affect his fertility as well, with the sperm quality going down along with the sperm count.

Causes of Male Infertility:

There are quite many reasons due to which a male can become infertile. They include:

• Varicocele: This is a situation where an enlargement of veins occurs in the testicles. It results in blood to pool, thus creating an increased temperature. This rise in temperature in the scrotum leads to the reduction of sperm count, hence affecting fertility.
• Undescended testicles: males with an undescended testicle remains at the increased risk of an inguinal hernia.Infection: An infection occurring in the testicle or prostate can make a male infertile.
• Chemotherapy for cancer: Chemotherapy for cancers or any kind of radiation can have an adverse impact on a male's ability to produce quality sperm and also affecting the sperm count.

Normal Range of Sperm Count:

• The normal volume varies from 1.5 to 5 ml per ejaculation.
• The sperm count tends to vary from 20 to 150 million sperm per milliliter.

Different Issues Related to Male Infertility:

There are certain issues relating to male infertility. They include:

• Oligospermia: This is an issue mainly characterized by low sperm count.
• Asthenozoospermia: This is the medical term used for reduction in sperm motility.
• Azoospermia: Azospermia is a medical condition wherein a man.s semen has no sperm.
• Teratospermia: Teratospermia is condition mainly characterized by the presence of sperm having different shapes (Morphological defect)

Risk Factors for Male Infertility:

1. Consumption of Alcohol
2. Smoking
3. Stress
4. Tight clothing (Jockeys) affecting the circulation of the blood in the groin area
5. Hormonal imbalance
6. Indulgence in too much exercise
7. High temperatures- hot saunas
8. Caffeine
9. Toxin and pollutants

How to Prevent Male Infertility?

Males can prevent themselves from becoming infertile by following a healthy lifestyle:

1. They must not get addicted to things like smoking, drugs or in consuming alcohol.
2. Exposure to radiation and toxic substances must be avoided.
3. Avoidance of long hot bath or saunas in a must.
4. Cold water seat bath is very useful to increase sperm count and motility.

Various Kinds of Investigations Include:

1. Ultrasound of the scrotal
2. Testing of hormones
3. Analysis of the urine after ejaculation
4. Some genetic tests
5. Biopsy of the testicles
6. Semen analysis

Role of Diet and Yoga in Male Infertility:

In fertility yoga, the body is put through number of exercises, mainly designed to help in fertility. The yoga poses help to stimulate the endocrine system in a positive manner, where the system is made up of glands, responsible for the production as well as dissemination of hormones throughout the body. Yoga aids male infertility by:

• Stimulation of blood flow around the pelvic area.
• Helping mind and body to stay relaxed, thus avoiding stress.
• Oxygenation to reproductive organ helps in healthy sperm count and increase motility.

Diet maintenance which helps in fertility among males:

• Walnuts: These are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which help to enhance sperm motility as well as vitality.
• Tomatoes: Tomatoes is a rich source of lycopene, involving great benefits in improving male's fertility.
• Blueberries: They are anti-inflammatory antioxidants, beneficial for the good health of the sperm.
• Dark Chocolate: It is one of the best food to increase male fertility, as it not only helps to increase sperm count but also the motility.
• Vitamin A: Egg, yellow fruits, veggies, milk and dark green vegetables.
• Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid: Green leafy veggies, broccoli, yeast root, whole grain, asparagus oatmeal, avocados.
• Vitamin C: Used as antioxidants . all citrus fruits.
• Vitamin E: Wheat, gram, egg, sweet potatoes, leafy veggies, nuts seeds, whole grain.