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Lifestyle Factors Effect on Fertility

According to the Male Fertility Study compiled by Norwich Union Healthcare, as many as one in 10 men may be infertile, accounting for approximately one third of all infertility cases. The causes of male infertility include varicocele, genetic factors, injury, age, retrograde ejaculation, and infection, as well as lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and stress. The good news is that most of the following lifestyle factors that cause infertility are not permanent and can be corrected with simple changes.

Alcohol

Consuming large amounts of alcohol can cause a range of problems, from impotence to decreased sperm production. Alcohol is a toxin that can reduce sperm production by killing the sperm-generating (Sertoli) cells in the testicles, and the liver damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption increases the level of estrogen in the body, which can severely suppress sperm production. Men who drink large quantities of alcohol also have problems achieving and maintaining an erection.

A study conducted by Washington University School of Medicine found that male rats given alcohol prior to mating suffered a greatly diminished fertility rate and produced fewer and less viable offspring. These findings suggest that alcohol use by men may be as harmful to fertility as alcohol use by women.

Medications and Drugs

Abuse of drugs such as heroin, amphetamines, cocaine, and PCP has been associated with decreased libido, erectile failure, and ejaculatory problems, as well as altered hormonal production. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, cocaine and heavy marijuana use can temporarily reduce the number and motility of sperm by as much as 50 percent. Anabolic steroids, used by some athletes to build muscle mass, can also significantly reduce sperm production.

Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications may also decrease male fertility. For example, calcium channel blockers, used to control blood pressure in individuals with hypertension, have been shown to interfere with the normal fertilization process by inhibiting the sperm from penetrating the egg. Cimetidine, used to treat stomach ulcers or reflux disease and sold under the brand name Tagamet, may cause increased levels of prolactin, which can affect testicular function, decrease testosterone levels and sexual performance, reduce sperm counts, and result in abnormal sperm.

Certain antipsychotics, antidepressants, and antihypertensives can cause ejaculatory dysfunction. In addition, many antibiotics have been associated with decreased sperm motility and sperm production, including Minocycline, Nitrofurantoins, Macrolides, Aminoglycosides, and Sulfasalazine.

Herbs and Supplements

Certain herbs and supplements can decrease fertility. For example, cotton (Gossypium Herbaceum), St. John's Wort, and Androstenedione can decrease sperm production or kill sperm and should be avoided. If you have any questions about herbs or supplements you are taking, talk to your doctor. Weight Some studies have found an association between obesity in men and infertility. Researchers from Reproductive Biology Associates in Atlanta report that a high body mass index (BMI) in men correlates with reduced testosterone levels. In this study, testosterone levels were shown to be 24 percent lower in overweight men and 26 percent lower in obese men than in those of normal weight. According to Peter N. Schlegel, MD, chair of the department of urology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York, "Excess fat actually causes the male hormone, testosterone, to be converted into estrogen, and those estrogens decrease stimulation of the testicle." In addition, the scientists believe that excess body fat creates localized heat in the groin area that can boost scrotal temperatures above 96 degrees, damaging the sperm.

Conversely, malnutrition is thought to decrease fertility as well. Deficiencies in certain nutrients, such as vitamin C, selenium, zinc, and folate, may be particular risk factors for infertility.

Smoking

Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke can reduce sperm counts, decrease sperm lifespan, impair motility, and cause genetic changes to the offspring (resulting in congenital abnormalities and childhood cancer). One study at the University of Buffalo also found that nicotine and tobacco impair the ability of sperm to bind to the outer layer of the egg, preventing fertilization. Men who smoke have been shown to have lower sex drives and less frequent sex, and men and women who smoke also have lower success rates with assisted reproductive technologies.

Heat

The optimal temperature of the testes for sperm production is slightly lower than body temperature, which is why the testes hang away from the body in the scrotum. High temperatures are believed to decrease sperm production, so while it's okay to take hot showers, you should avoid saunas, hot tubs, and hot baths, and do not use an electric blanket or sleep on a heated waterbed. For the same reason, you should avoid wearing bikini-style underwear and tight-fitting pants, which can hold the scrotum too close to the body and increase internal temperatures.

A more recent threat to male fertility comes from the increasingly widespread use of laptops. According to a study published in the February issue of the journal of Human Reproduction, scientists from the State University of New York at Stony Brook found that laptops can reach internal operating temperatures of over 70 degrees C (158 degrees F), and since they are frequently placed close to the scrotum, may overheat the testes and reduce sperm production.

Chemicals

Exposure to certain chemicals such as lead, pesticides, anesthetic gases, and radiation has been associated with decreased sperm production and motility. According to the Mayo Clinic, certain chemicals may cause estrogen-like effects in the male body that can reduce the number of Sertoli cells (sperm-generating cells) in males. The following chemicals are currently under study for their effects on fertility:

• Bisphenol A - commonly used in plastic food containers and bottles. It has potent estrogen-like effects in low doses and produced prostate abnormalities in animal studies; however, more research is necessary to determine if it has the same effect in humans.


• Phthalates - used to soften plastics. In animal studies, exposure to this chemical has significantly impaired sperm count and caused abnormalities in their reproductive structures, such as the testes.


• Pesticides with estrogen-like effects - such as DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, PCPs, dioxins, and furans. A 1999 study showed decreased fertility rates in men who had moderate or high exposure to pesticides.


• Plant-based estrogens (phytoestrogens) - such as isoflavones found in soy and other legumes. However, one study of men who took isoflavone supplements for two months found no negative effects on their reproductive health.

Studies have shown that pressure from the bike seat may damage blood vessels and nerves that are responsible for erections, causing impotence and decreasing fertility. In addition, a study in Austria found that men who mountain bike are far more likely to have scrotal abnormalities, including calcium deposits, cysts, and twisted veins due to the extreme shocks and vibrations associated with such off-road biking. Men who cycle can reduce their risk of damage by taking frequent breaks, wearing padded bike shorts, and using a padded or specially contoured bike seat set at the proper height and angle.

Stress

Stress may interfere with the hormone GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone), which stimulates the development and maturation of the testes, and reduce sperm counts. In studies, many men experienced temporary impotence when diagnosed with azoospermia (the inability to produce sperm) and often (falsely) believe that having normal sperm function is related to virility and being a "real man." A diagnosis of infertility can also strain a relationship and decrease sex drive. If at all possible, limit the amount of stress in your life while you are trying to conceive.

Eating a healthy diet, exercising moderately, and limiting your consumption of alcohol and exposure to cigarette smoke and other environmental toxins, can increase your chances of conceiving. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements or medication to ensure they won't affect your fertility.