The global problem of infertility is being crowded by the issue of overpopulation and malnutrition especially in developing countries. And couples who want to have children had left to solve their problem on their own. A researcher for global infertility from the University of Amsterdam, Frank van Balen, said that conception in Western countries is treated as an individual and personal dilemma. This is an even more serious problem in developing countries where having children is a rule. Having no children is very much obvious and society will silently be asking for an explanation. And infertility is a difficult answer to give.

The Problem that is Infertility

Over 90 percent of infertility cases in men are caused by low sperm count and poor sperm quality. The other causes can be caused by multiple factors like genetic defects, hormonal imbalance and anatomical problems. The abnormality of the sperm or its incapability to bind successfully with the egg cell is caused by numerous factors. These includes lifestyle habits, exposure to harmful chemicals, diseases and birth defects but the exact reason for the abnormality remains to be a puzzle to medical experts. And sperm abnormalities are categorized according to their physiological qualities, sperm movement and sperm count.

Teratospermia, or abnormal sperm morphology, occurs when the sperm takes an abnormal shape that makes it incapable of fertilizing an egg cell. Asthenospermia, or poor sperm motility, on the other hand, refers to the abnormal movement of the sperm where it tends to move slowly or not in a straight line. In this case, it fails to penetrate the cervical mucus and reach the egg cell. Studies show that the abnormal sperm movement can be caused by certain genetic defects. A sperm count of 10 million per milliliter is considered low and it may not be enough for a successful reproduction. This condition is called oligospermia or low sperm count.

Couples around the world are being presented with the option of artificial and assisted reproductive methods in order to overcome their conditions. The two of the most popular forms of assisted reproduction technologies are in-vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. But a few studies show that these methods are producing adverse effects including an increased risk of congenital malformations. A study published in the Cochrane Library found that natural therapies can provide a better and safer solution for infertility in men.

Antioxidants Against Infertility

A team of scientists from New Zealand found that the intake of antioxidant supplements can be an effective alternative to assisted reproduction technologies. The researchers observed that men who take antioxidant supplements are more likely to get their partners pregnant than men who don't take the supplements.

Subfertility or inefficient fertility affects about 5 percent of men. Gynecology and obstetrics researchers from the University of Auckland in New Zealand said that ROS, or reactive oxygen species, are causing damage to cells including sperm cells. This provides an explanation for the lowered sperm count in men which leads to their inability to fertilize eggs. Antioxidants are known to be capable of suppressing reactive oxygen species to prevent them from causing damage to the body.

The researchers conducted a total of 34 trials with 2,876 couples undergoing artificial reproductive methods including sperm injection and in vitro fertilization. They found that most of the men had low sperm motility or low sperm count. They examined the effects of antioxidants like magnesium, zinc, L-carnitine and vitamin E as a treatment of their condition and found that study participants who took antioxidant supplements are more likely to get their partners pregnant compared to the control group.

In reference to their study, lead researcher Marian Showell suggested the supplementation of antioxidants for people who are undergoing assisted reproductive programs. But she added that they were not able to gather sufficient data indicating which types of antioxidant are more effective in helping men suffering from infertility.

Natural Ways to Overcome Infertility

Infertility in men is caused by different factors. Though most studies are looking at genetic abnormalities as the root cause of infertility, this does not entirely mean that infertility cannot be prevented. The first step to prevent infertility is by effectively overcoming stress. Extreme stress or the wrong methods of alleviating stress can result to infertility in men. Inadequate eating caused by stress can cause the person's health to deteriorate and makes conception more difficult. Methods of coping with stress like drinking alcohol and smoking can also produce adverse effects towards the person's reproductive health.

Sexually transmitted disorders like syphilis, venereal warts, chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV/AIDS make reproduction more difficult. Since infertility has been found to have a genetic basis, make it a point to check your family’s medical history to better understand your risk. Vaccination against mumps is very important since the disease has been found to affect sperm production. Other diseases like German measles are all dangerous during pregnancy.

Obesity, diabetes and other health conditions associated with body weight can affect sperm production and ejaculation. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly are not only found to effectively lower a person's risk of developing certain diseases but it's also an effective approach to avoid infertility. It is also advised for couples to have children at a young age. Though men are still capable of producing sperm cells even at old age, the quality and quantity of the sperm can deteriorate with age.

Certain medicines like calcium channel blockers for people with high blood pressure and medications for the treatment of arthritis can affect fertility in men. Consult your medical specialist to check whether any of your prescribed medication adversely affects your ability to reproduce and seek advice for any alternative.

Sperm freezing is also being advised to men who are at risk of losing their fertility due to certain health conditions, therapies like chemotherapy and surgeries. And there is no better motto for good reproductive health but to stay healthy and be active. Make it a point to always eat healthy and exercise on a regular basis.

Sources
naturalnews.com
umm.edu
preconception.com