Environmental Hazards Contribute to Male Infertility

Whether you realize it or not, the environment around you has a big impact on your fertility. Chemicals, toxins, and pesticides can all find their way into your system and wreak havoc. Unfortunately, though, little is actually known about the effects of chemicals and toxins on the male reproductive system. However, because it is easier to evaluate the male reproductive system than the female, the few studies that have been done have generally demonstrated how environmental toxins can contribute to male infertility.

Common Exposure

Even though you may not realize it, everyday you are unwittingly exposed to numerous harmful chemicals. What's worse is the fact that many of these toxins have not actually been thoroughly studied by toxicologists. Moreover, of the chemicals that have been examined, they have often been tested with the assumption that a higher dose results in a more severe effect.

Despite the fact that even low doses of numerous chemicals can do serious damage, often only high chemical levels are studied. However, as it is the low-level of exposure to toxins and chemicals that most people encounter everyday, scientists have finally begun to look at the effects of low-level chemical exposure. Unfortunately, what they are finding is the even a small amount of exposure can have harmful effects on both the male and female reproductive system.

Pesticides

Unlike many other toxins, pesticides are well known to cause health and reproductive problems. In men, prolonged exposure to various pesticides, including kepone, DBCP, and ethylene dibromide, have been found to reduce sperm counts. Other pesticides, particularly DDT and chlordane, have been shown to not only lower a man’s sperm count but also cause damage to the seminiferous tubules in the reproductive system.

While these findings are alarming, it is important to note that many of the studies of pesticide exposure have been conducted on people living in agricultural areas or who regularly work with pesticides. Therefore, these people are much more likely to have a consistent high-level of exposure to the chemicals which the general population wouldn't. But this doesn't mean you are free to roll around on your lawn just after it has been sprayed with pesticides. Studies have also shown that health problems can result even with a low-level of exposure.

Prolactin Also Plays an Important Role in Male Fertility

Facing infertility can be very difficult, especially if you have not yet found an explanation as to why you are having troubles fathering a child. Fertility issues are often the result of hormonal imbalances, which cause the reproductive system to function abnormally. The hormone prolactin is generally only thought of as a factor in female infertility, but in fact, prolactin also plays a role in male fertility. If you are suffering from male infertility, you may want to investigate prolactin in order to find out if it may be affecting your reproductive capabilities.

Prolactin Hormone

Prolactin is a hormone that is secreted by both men and women. It is released by your pituitary gland, an organ responsible for regulating many of your body's functions, including reproduction. The pituitary gland is a small, bean-shaped organ located in the middle of your brain. Your pituitary gland releases prolactin on a daily basis, both in the morning and throughout the night. Certain activities like sexual intercourse and exercise also cause your pituitary gland to release prolactin.

Hormones Regulating Prolactin

Prolactin is actually regulated by other hormones that your body produces.These include:

dopamine (which blocks prolactin)

serotonin ( which triggers prolactin release)

thyroid-producing hormone (which also triggers prolactin)

What Does Prolactin Do?

In women, the role of prolactin is fairly clear: it is released in order to stimulate milk production during pregnancy. Prolactin causes the mammary glands in a woman's breasts to enlarge, and upon birth, prolactin encourages the formation of milk. Unfortunately, it is unclear what role prolactin plays in men. However, it is evident that prolactin and infertility are linked.

Effects on Male Fertility

Like prolactin infertility in women, prolactin can also affect male fertility. In fact, if you have too much prolactin in your blood stream it can cause you to become infertile. High prolactin levels have an adverse affect on the function of your testicles, and can cause decreased testosterone levels or abnormal sperm. This can cause serious problems when it comes time to conceive. Normal prolactin levels in men are typically less than 15 ng/mL. Elevated prolactin may indicate a condition called hyperprolactinemia, and this could account for your fertility difficulties.

What Lifestyle Factors Affect Male Fertility

Facing infertility can be very difficult for both men and women: it is emotional, stressful, and physically taxing on most couples. Matters can seem even worse when you are having difficulty getting a diagnosis for your male factor infertility. Many men suffer from fertility issues, not because of an underlying disorder or illness, but because of certain lifestyle factors. Lifestyle factors such as diet, weight, and exercise can sometimes be big contributors to infertility. If you are struggling with male infertility, take a close look at your lifestyle to see if any factors may be contributing to your infertility.

What Lifestyle Factors Affect Male Fertility?

Researchers and specialists often ignore male fertility, but it plays a key role in many couples' conception difficulties. In fact, male factor infertility accounts for up to 40% of all fertility clinic visits. A small percentage of these men suffer from particular disorders, which causes their infertility. However, a large number of men actually have no apparent reason for their infertility. Some of these men may be practicing certain lifestyle factors that are contributing to their fertility issues. Common lifestyle factors that influence fertility include: poor diet, obesity, smoking, recreational drug use, exposure to environmental toxins, Physical Health, Diet.

A poor diet can have an adverse affect on male fertility. If you are not eating a properly-balanced diet, your body is not getting the nutrients that it needs to engage in sperm production. In particular, your body needs appropriate levels of zinc, vitamin B12, and vitamin C to produce healthy, viable sperm. Many men with nutritional deficiencies suffer from low sperm count and poor sperm motility as a result of their poor diet.

Weight

Weight can also have a negative effect on male fertility and sperm production. Recent studies show that men with a higher-than-normal body mass index (BMI) are more likely to suffer from fertility issues. This is because weight influences how the body produces certain hormones. In one particular study, men who were overweight produced 24% less testosterone than men of average weight. Obese men produced 26% less testosterone. Sufficient levels of testosterone are needed to produce high levels of motile sperm.

Herbal Supplements

Many men and women now incorporate herbal supplements as a part of their daily nutrition regimen. Herbal supplements can be very helpful for combating illness and promoting good physical and mental health. However, certain herbal supplements can interfere with male fertility. In particular, St. John’s Wort, cotton, and androstenione (a natural steroid), can interfere with sperm production and health.