Attention men who want to be fathers! These habits that increase the risk of infertility threaten your health

Approximately 15% of couples in our country face the problem of infertility. While biological factors may be among the causes, situations such as late marriage, environmental factors, and limited access to healthcare can also play a role. In the process of infertility, there can be causes related to men, factors related to women, or problems stemming from both partners. Among the causes of infertility seen in men, issues such as low sperm count, low sperm motility, and varicocele can be observed. Prof. Dr. Abdulmuttalip Şimşek from the Urology Department of Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital provided information about the prevalence and causes of male infertility today.

THE MOST COMMON CAUSE IS VARICOCELE

Varicocele is stated to be the most important known cause of male infertility. Varicocele is the clinical name given to the varicose-like enlargement of the testicular veins, similar to those in the legs. It is a condition where testicular functions are affected by the disruption of testicular temperature and blood flow, and the accumulation of toxic substances in the impure blood within the testicle, which impairs sperm and testosterone production. In addition, varicocele can lead to discomfort or pain, poor development of the testicle, low sperm production, or infertility. To resolve these complications, surgical intervention is recommended for the treatment of varicocele. This problem can be treated comfortably with a microscopic varicocelectomy procedure. However, recently, cases have also been seen where no cause of infertility can be found in either gender despite all examinations being performed. This indicates that environmental and individual factors can also be a cause of infertility.

EVEN CIGARETTE SMOKE HAS AN EFFECT

The male reproductive system shows serious sensitivity to various chemical and physical agents. These agents are generally found commonly in occupational environments and in the surroundings. Among the primary environmental factors are; radiation exposure, sedentary lifestyle, medications used continuously, heavy cigarette and alcohol consumption, toxins such as lead-arsenic-hydrocarbons, intense heat increases in the testicles (sauna, Turkish bath, or high-temperature bathing), and the intake of various hormones (especially in gyms). Approximately 40-50% of men of reproductive age smoke. Cigarette smoke contains chemical compounds of different types, such as carbon monoxide and cadmium. It is known that these substances have negative effects on the male reproductive system. At the same time, research has shown that smoking leads to changes in the body's prolactin (stress hormone), LH, and testosterone hormone levels. It is known that smoking negatively affects sperm development. In different evaluations, it has been shown that in sperm deterioration due to varicocele, which is the most common cause of treatable infertility, there is a deterioration in spermogram parameters (count, motility, shape ratio) and a decrease in pregnancy rates that increases with the rate of cigarette consumption. As the amount of cigarette consumption increases, impairments in sperm motility rate, morphological structure, and sperm chromosome structure increase.

ATTENTION MUST BE PAID TO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Heavy alcohol intake in men not only impairs physical and mental well-being but can also lead to negative conditions such as impotence (erectile dysfunction), shrinkage of the testicles, enlargement of male breasts (gynecomastia), and a decrease in sexual desire. These effects are seen less in short-term or intermittent alcohol intake. Alcohol can also disrupt hormone production by disrupting the axis between the brain and the testicles. As a result, sperm motility decreases and abnormal sperm are formed. In alcoholics, alcohol has a toxic effect on the hormone called FSH, which stimulates the testicles for the production of sperm cells, thereby reducing spermatogenesis function. Another effect of alcohol is anejaculation. This means that no sperm cells come out during ejaculation. Thus, the condition of infertility is triggered.

TECHNOLOGICAL DANGER!

Technological devices are increasing day by day, and while they make our lives easier, they can also leave serious damage to our health on the other hand. Many of these technological tools are sources of electromagnetic radiation. This radiation usually causes damage through heat effects. Devices we use frequently in our daily lives, such as computers, mobile phones, televisions, and radios, emit electromagnetic radiation. These show biological, thermal, genetic, and carcinogenic effects. Mobile phone addiction has become an inseparable part of our daily lives. Mobile phones are usually carried in the waist area close to the testicles, which increases the risk of male infertility. In a study conducted, a relationship was detected between the duration of mobile phone use and the deterioration of sperm parameters. Accordingly, while there was no deterioration in normal individuals who did not use phones at all, a significant decrease in sperm count, morphology (sperm size, shape, appearance), and motility rates was reported in people who used them for 2 hours or more. As a result, considering that technological devices, especially mobile phones and computers, have been used intensively since childhood, it is estimated that they have an important place in male infertility. For this, limiting phone usage times, especially in men, keeping them away from the testicles, and choosing to live in places as far away from base stations as possible are among the precautions that can be taken.

OBESITY CAN CAUSE INFERTILITY

One of the important issues in male infertility is dietary habits. Eating a sufficient and balanced diet for our body health is a preventive factor for every disease. In addition to this, body weight is also a factor in the reproductive system. Obesity leads to a decrease in the amount of testosterone in men. Since this changes the hormonal balance in the body (testosterone-estrogen-SHBG-FSH-LH), it has a negative effect on the reproductive system. Insufficient energy intake, just like obesity, also negatively affects the reproductive system. There are studies showing that sperm motility decreases when men eat low-calorie diets. Low-calorie diets that cause rapid weight loss in a short time and the disruption of nutritional balance (carbohydrate-protein-fat ratio) negatively affect reproductive health and lead to infertility.

THE RISK OF TIGHT PANTS

Although there are many causes of male infertility, another cause is dressing habits. Male testicles are kept at a low temperature in the scrotum. An increase in this temperature negatively affects sperm production. Taking hot showers, using saunas, preferring tight pants, and wearing jockstrap-type underwear can cause infertility because they increase testicular temperature. It is very important for men who have infertility problems to pay attention to these issues. Apart from all these reasons, sleep habits, engaging in heavy sports activities, epidemics, climate changes, geographical structures, chemotherapeutic drugs used in cancer, radiotherapy, and intense stress and anxiety also have an important place in male infertility. Male infertility is a very sensitive subject that needs to be examined in great detail. For this reason, when investigating male infertility, the process must be carried out with a multidisciplinary approach specific to each patient.